Scotty Nguyen

2025-07-17T10:20:49Z

2001:1C06:1F06:1900:590B:EC23:53DB:40DF:

{{Short description|Vietnamese American poker player (born 1962)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox poker player
| name = Scotty Nguyen
| nickname = Prince of Poker
| image = ScottyNguyen.jpg
| caption = Nguyen wins 50K HORSE [[2008 World Series of Poker]]
| residence =
| birth_name = Thuận B. Nguyễn
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|10|28}}
| birth_place = [[Nha Trang]], Vietnam
| wsop bracelet count = 5
| wsop money finishes = 46
| wsop main event best finish rank = Winner
| wsop main event best finish year = 1998
| wpt titles = 1
| wpt final tables = 8
| wpt money finishes = 21
| ept titles = ''None''
| ept final tables = 0
| ept money finishes = 1
| updated = 2010-03-14
|Children=Jade Nguyen
Courtney Nguyen
Anthony Nguyen
Tiffany Nguyen
Kody Nguyen}}

'''Thuận B. "Scotty" Nguyễn''' (born October 28, 1962) is a Vietnamese-American professional [[poker]] player who is a five-time [[World Series of Poker]] (WSOP) [[WSOP bracelet|bracelet]] winner, most notably as the winner of the [[1998 World Series of Poker]] Main Event<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haney |first=Jeff |date=July 2, 2008 |title=Jeff Haney on the 'prince of poker,' Scotty Nguyen, who finished first in the game's ultimate test of skill and who stops at nothing to accommodate fans |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jul/02/jeff-haney-prince-poker-scotty-nguyen-who-finished/ |access-date=April 20, 2024 |website=Las Vegas Sun |language=en}}</ref> and the [[2008 World Series of Poker]] $50,000 [[H.O.R.S.E.]] World Championship. He is the first player to win both the WSOP Main Event and $50,000 Players' Championship.

==Early life==

Scotty Nguyen was born in [[Nha Trang]], [[Vietnam]]. Due to the conflict in Vietnam, his mother sent him out of the country, first to [[Taiwan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotty Nguyen |url=http://www.pokerlistings.com/poker-player_scotty-nguyen |access-date=April 8, 2015 |website=PokerListings}}</ref> He came to the United States at the age of 14 after finding a sponsor in [[Orange County, California]]. He was expelled from school for spending too much time in underground poker games. Nguyen attended dealer school at the age of 21 and was employed at [[Harrah’s]] poker room.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wise |first=Gary |author-link=Gary Wise |date=July 14, 2007 |title=Champions: Scotty Nguyen |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/poker/columns/story?columnist=wise_gary&id=2936840 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> While with Harrah's, he made about $150 a night and lost most of it playing $3–$6 stud. He described himself as a "fish" but wanted to gamble regardless.

His luck improved in 1985 when he was invited to Lake Tahoe to deal in a no-limit Hold’em tournament. He dealt all day and played cash games all night with the meager bankroll he brought with him. He built his bankroll to $7,000 and felt he was invincible. He returned to [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] and gambled his bankroll up to $1 million. His name spread around Vegas and soon he began playing poker with [[Johnny Chan (poker player)|Johnny Chan]], [[Puggy Pearson]], and [[David Grey]]. He purchased a [[Chevrolet Camaro]] for $17,000, a [[Chevrolet Corvette|Corvette]] for $21,000, and a condominium for $60,000 all in cash. He lived in [[Caesars Palace]] and was winning $50,000 to $900,000 a night.

Bad habits plagued Nguyen; recreational use of [[marijuana]], [[cocaine]], and [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]] developed into full-scale addictions. After a costly losing streak, he ended up going broke. Nguyen was spared a room and $5,000 in cash.<ref name="SNPSPL">{{Cite web |title=Scotty Nguyen poker star King of Bling |url=http://www.pokerplayer.co.uk/poker-players/player-interviews/1609/scotty_nguyen_poker_star.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302013525/http://www.pokerplayer.co.uk/poker-players/player-interviews/1609/scotty_nguyen_poker_star.html |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |publisher=[[Dennis Publishing Limited]]}}</ref>

==Poker career==
Nguyen had to rebuild his bankroll after losing his million. His next success came at the [[1997 World Series of Poker]] where he won the $2,000 Omaha 8 or Better event, netting a profit of over $150,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=28th World Series of Poker – WSOP 1997, Omaha 8 or Better |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7806 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> Unfortunately, Nguyen blew this bankroll again and was completely broke shortly before the [[1998 World Series of Poker]]. Nguyen had to play in a small satellite tournament which he did not even have enough money to buy into. [[Mike Matusow]] saw potential in Nguyen and decided to bankroll 1/3 of the buy-in. He went on to win the 1998 World Series of Poker and split 1/3 of the winnings ($333,333) with Matusow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=29th World Series of Poker – WSOP 1998, No Limit Hold'em World Championship |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7798 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Seaton |first=Paul |date=January 15, 2019 |title=What if... Scotty Nguyen Didn't Win in 1998? |url=https://www.pgt.com/news/what-if-scotty-nguyen-didnt-win-in-1998 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=PokerGO Tour |language=en}}</ref>

Nguyen is noted for playing emotionally. On the final hand of the 1998 World Series of Poker's Main Event, a [[Rank of hands (poker)#Full house|full house]] was dealt on the table ({{cards|8c|9d|9h|8h|8s}}). Nguyen memorably said to his opponent Kevin McBride: "You call, it's gonna be all over, baby!" Previously in the game, with McBride all-in, Nguyen had quipped "It's gonna be all over if I read you right" before calling. However, Nguyen's read hadn't been correct and McBride had won the pot, bringing him back in the game.

This time, McBride called and went all-in, saying: "I call. I play the board." Nguyen beat McBride with a better full house by holding {{cards|9c|Jd}}. In the post-game interview, McBride admitted that he would not have called if not for Nguyen's quip. Main Event triumph in 1998 was followed immediately by tragedy—the very next day, one of his brothers was hit by a car back home in Vietnam, and killed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2013 |title=BLUFF: Give Scotty the nod |url=https://www.espn.com/poker/story/_/id/9730589/poker-hall-fame-scotty-nguyen |access-date=April 20, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> For this reason, Scotty does not wear his 1998 WSOP championship bracelet. In the 2001 WSOP, he won two bracelets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=32nd World Series of Poker – WSOP 2001, Omaha (pot limit) |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=3049 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=32nd World Series of Poker – WSOP 2001, Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=3058 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref>

After making several [[World Poker Tour]] (WPT) final tables,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Five Diamond World Poker Classic, No Limit Hold'em – Final |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=5041 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 – PartyPoker.com Million III Limit Hold'em, Limit Hold'em Championship Final Day |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7400 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 Mirage Poker Showdown, No Limit Hold'em Final Day |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7397 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sixth Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open, World Poker Open Championship Event – No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=6980 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> Nguyen eventually won a WPT event in January 2006, defeating [[Michael Mizrachi]] [[Heads up poker|heads-up]] in the [[World Poker Tour season 4 results|fourth season]] Gold Strike [[World Poker Open]] when his {{cards|A♠|Q♠}} made a [[Rank of hands (poker)#Flush|flush]] against Mizrachi's {{cards|A♣|J♦}} on the very first hand of heads-up round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2006 Gold Strike World Poker Open, Championship Event – No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=16568 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> With this WPT victory, Scotty became one of only 6 people to win both the main event of the World Series of Poker and a World Poker Tour title. Nguyen earned a second-place finish at the [[2007 World Series of Poker]] in the [[seven-card stud|seven card stud high low split eight or better]] event won by [[Eli Elezra]]. Scotty stated after the event that he hadn't played cash games in over two years because he enjoys a friendly environment which is difficult in serious cash games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=pokernewsdotcom |date=June 17, 2007 |title=Scotty Nguyen – No More Cash Games |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVU98Fc5muQ |via=YouTube}}</ref> Scotty also nearly made the final table of the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing in 11th place out of a field of 6,358 and earning $476,926.<ref>{{Cite web |title=38th World Series of Poker – WSOP 2007, World Championship No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=26201 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref>

At the 2008 $50,000 World Series of Poker [[H.O.R.S.E.]] event, Nguyen, the eventual winner,<ref>{{Cite web |title=39th World Series of Poker – WSOP 2008, H.O.R.S.E. |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=29714 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> exhibited what many have considered objectionable, and even rule-breaking behavior, including a [[Cheating in poker#Collusion|soft-play]] in a hand with [[Erick Lindgren]].<ref name="pajich">{{Cite web |last=Pajich |first=Bob |date=August 21, 2008 |title=No Call on Scotty Nguyen Magnifies Flaw in WSOP Rules |url=http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/article/4889/no-call-on-scotty-nguyen-magnifies-flaw-in-wsop-rules |access-date=November 23, 2008 |publisher=Cardplayer.com}}</ref> In the broadcast of the prestigious event, Nguyen was shown drinking numerous alcoholic beverages while swearing and scolding others (including waiters/waitresses) at the final table, drawing criticism from commentators. Following the event (which Nguyen won), Nguyen issued an apology to his fans and stated that the event's editing depicted him unfairly. He also cited issues like exhaustion, frustration with the perceived gloating of [[Michael DeMichele]], and pressure to succeed as reasons for his unconventional behavior.<ref name="pajich" /> Nguyen later formally apologized to the fans in an interview, and said that he no longer blamed any other players for his behavior, and that there was no excuse for his behavior at the 2008 H.O.R.S.E. event. Since the incident, Nguyen has refused to drink alcoholic beverages during televised games.

In 2009, Nguyen won the inaugural LA Poker Classic $10,000 H.O.R.S.E World Championship at the Commerce Casino's annual LA Poker Classic Series, which earned him $260,485, and further cemented Nguyen's reputation as one of the greatest masters of all variations of fixed limit poker.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 L.A. Poker Classic, H.O.R.S.E. – Championship |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=33796 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref>

As of 2023, his total live tournament winnings exceed $12,700,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotty Nguyen's profile on The Hendon Mob |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=185 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> Of those winnings, $5,100,999 have come at the WSOP.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotty Nguyen |url=https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=266 |access-date=March 24, 2024 |website=WSOP.com}}</ref> Nguyen has also made appearances on the [[Ultimate Blackjack Tour]] playing [[Elimination Blackjack]]. Nguyen also made an appearance on ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'' in April 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-04-01 |title=Al Franken/Vivica A. Fox/Scotty Nguyen |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0627524/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=IMDb}}</ref>

In January 2012, Nguyen was named as team captain of the Expekt Poker pro team for EPT Deauville. The team also included Julian Kabitzke and Jack Salter as well as EPT London 3rd-place finisher Andre Klebanov.

In 2013, Nguyen was voted into the [[Poker Hall of Fame]] along with fellow WSOP Main Event winner, Tom McEvoy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Matt |date=October 24, 2013 |title=Scotty Nguyen and Tom McEvoy Inducted into Poker Hall of Fame |url=https://www.worldpokertour.com/news/scotty-nguyen-tom-mcevoy-inducted-poker-hall-fame/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=World Poker Tour |language=en-US}}</ref>

===World Series of Poker bracelets===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Year
! Tournament
! Prize (US$)
|-
| [[1997 World Series of Poker|1997]]
| $2,000 Omaha 8 or Better
| $156,959
|-
| [[1998 World Series of Poker|1998]]
| $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
| $1,000,000
|-
| [[2001 World Series of Poker|2001]]
| $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha
| $178,480
|-
| 2001
| $5,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better
| $287,580
|-
| [[2008 World Series of Poker|2008]]
| $50,000 [[H.O.R.S.E.]] World Championship
| $1,989,120
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-players/494-scotty-nguyen Card Player profile]
*[https://www.globalpokerindex.com/poker-players/scotty-nguyen-185/ Global Poker Index profile]
* [https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=185 Hendon Mob profile]
*[https://www.pokernews.com/poker-players/scotty-nguyen/ PokerNews profile]
*[https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=266 WSOP profile]
* [https://www.worldpokertour.com/player/scotty-nguyen/ WPT profile]

{{World Series of Poker $50,000 Players' Championship Winners}}
{{WSOP Main Event champions}}
{{1990s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{2000s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{Poker Hall of Fame}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nguyen, Scotty}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:World Series of Poker bracelet winners]]
[[Category:World Series of Poker Main Event winners]]
[[Category:World Poker Tour winners]]
[[Category:American poker players]]
[[Category:Vietnamese poker players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Henderson, Nevada]]
[[Category:People from Nha Trang]]
[[Category:People from Orange County, California]]
[[Category:American people of Vietnamese descent]]
[[Category:Poker Hall of Fame inductees]]

Vero - Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

Scotty Nguyen