Scotty Nguyen - Poker Player

Biography

Scotty Nguyen was born on October 28, 1962, and is popularly known as the “Prince of Poker.” He is a five-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner. He is famous for winning remarkably in the WSOP Main Event 1998 and the 2008 WSOP in the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship. Scotty Nguyen is one of the six players to win both the World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event and a World Poker Tour (WPT) title.

Early Life

He was born in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on October 28, 1962, during the time of the Vietnam War. His mother sent him to Taiwan for safety, and later, at the age of 14, he arrived in the United States.

Settling in Las Vegas, he initially worked as a busboy, earning a modest living and barely speaking English. He found a sponsor in Orange County, California. At 21, Nguyen attended dealer school and began working at Harrah’s Poker Room. However, school didn’t interest him as much as the underground poker games. He was eventually expelled for his passion for the game.

Although he started off losing money, playing small $3–$6 stud games, his fortune would soon take a dramatic turn. By 1985, Nguyen had moved to Lake Tahoe to deal in no-limit hold'em tournaments and spent his nights playing cash games. He eventually turned a small bankroll into $7,000 and began gambling more confidently.

Within a short span, his bankroll ballooned to $1 million, and he quickly became a well-known name in the Las Vegas poker community, competing against poker legends like Johnny Chan, Puggy Pearson, and David Grey.

Nguyen’s success extended beyond the Poker table. His larger-than-life personality earned him appearances on mainstream platforms, including an interview on Late Night with Conan O’Brien in 2004.

Poker Career

Nguyen had gone through a losing streak and was working to rebuild his bankroll. He successfully won the Omaha 8 or Better event in the 1997 WSOP, earning more than $150,000. Sadly, he again lost that money and got broke right before the 1998 WSOP.

Nguyen couldn't even afford to participate in a small satellite tournament, so Mike Matusow helped him by covering one-third of the buy-in. With Mike’s support, he participated in the 1998 World Series of Poker, won the event and shared one-third of his winnings, which amounted to $333,333, with Matusow.

In 2001, Nguyen won two bracelets in the WSOP. He also made it to several final tables in the World Poker Tour (WPT) before winning the 2006 WPT event against Michael Mizrachi in the fourth season of the Gold Strike World Poker Open.

In 2007, he finished second in the seven-card stud high-low split eight or better event in the WSOP. In 2008, Nguyen won the $50,000 World Series of Poker H.O.R.S.E. event.

In 2009, he won the inaugural LA Poker Classic $10,000 H.O.R.S.E World Championship event, winning $260,485.

Nguyen's success has solidified his image as one of the best players in distinct poker variants, including No-Limit Hold'em, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, H.O.R.S.E., and Seven-Card Stud.

His poker career is filled with highs and lows, but his passion for the game and commitment to success have been evident throughout his journey.

1998 WSOP Main Event Victory

Nguyen's career took off with his win at the 1998 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, which came with a $1 million prize. His performance at the final table was memorable, especially his witty and confident exchanges with his opponent, Kevin McBride.

In a now-iconic moment, when McBride was all-in, Nguyen famously quipped, "You call, it's going to be all over, baby."Later, when McBride called his bet and pushed all-in again, Nguyen won with a better full house, securing his first-ever WSOP Main Event title. This victory was bittersweet, however, as it came the day after Nguyen received tragic news of his brother’s death in Vietnam. This personal loss led Nguyen never to wear his 1998 championship bracelet.

World Series of Poker bracelets

WSOP Bracelets and WPT Glory

Nguyen’s Poker career continued to thrive after his Main Event victory. He won two more WSOP bracelets in 2001, one in Pot Limit Omaha and another in Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better.

In 2006, Scotty Nguyen triumphed in the World Poker Tour (WPT) Gold Strike World Poker Open, defeating Michael Mizrachi in a heads-up battle. This victory made him one of the few players to have won the prestigious WSOP Main Event and a WPT title.

2008 WSOP H.O.R.S.E. Championship

In 2008, Nguyen claimed his fifth WSOP bracelet by winning the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship, a victory that was overshadowed by controversy. During the final table, Nguyen's behaviour, including swearing and soft-play with fellow player Erick Lindgren, sparked a backlash. After the event, Nguyen publicly apologized for his actions, citing exhaustion and frustration as contributing factors. Since then, he vowed never to drink alcohol during televised events.

Poker Hall of Fame Induction

As his Poker career progressed, Nguyen continued to showcase his skill, particularly in H.O.R.S.E. and other mixed games. In 2009, he won the LA Poker Classic H.O.R.S.E. World Championship.

In 2013, Nguyen was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, a well-deserved recognition of his contributions to the game and career achievements.

Achievements and Legacy

Several significant achievements mark Nguyen's poker career:

• Total Live Earnings: $12,730,142
• Best Live Cash: $1,989,120
• All Time Money List: 110th
• United States All-Time Money List: 49th
• Nevada All-Time Money List: 5th
• Global Poker Index Ranking: 42,681st
• Popularity Ranking: 56th

Despite his fortune, Nguyen’s life was not without its challenges. Behind his charismatic persona, he faced deep personal struggles. Fame came with pressure, and Nguyen turned to drugs to cope with the demands of his lifestyle. His addiction began to take a toll on both his professional and personal life, leading to inconsistent performances at the poker table and financial instability.

By 2012, Nguyen had filed for bankruptcy, marking a low point in his journey. The Poker community, which had long celebrated him as one of its brightest stars, watched with sadness as Nguyen faced his demons. However, the player continued his journey, always eager to return to the game.

Scotty Nguyen’s Net Worth

Scotty Nguyen is an outstanding poker player whose net worth reflects his remarkable career. He has earned $12,730,142 in live poker tournaments.

His biggest tournament win was in the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event at the 2008 World Series of Poker, where he earned $1,989,120 and won a prestigious gold bracelet.

Nguyen has earned $5,100,999 million from the World Series of Poker alone.

He ranks 110th on the Hendon Mob All-Time Money List and 5th on Nevada's All-Time Money List.

Overall, Scotty Nguyen's wealth and achievements, combined with his more than twenty years of expertise in poker, make him one of the most admired and successful players.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Scotty Nguyen?

Scotty Nguyen, known as the ‘Prince of Poker’, is a Vietnamese-American professional poker player celebrated for his charisma and exceptional skills. He has won five World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, including the 1998 WSOP Main Event, where his iconic phrase, “You call, it’s gonna be all over, baby!” became legendary.

Where is Scotty Nguyen from?

Scotty Nguyen was born in Vietnam but emigrated to the United States during his youth. He resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he built his career and gained fame as one of poker’s greatest personalities.

Why is Scotty Nguyen called the "Prince of Poker"?

Nguyen earned the nickname "Prince of Poker" due to his dominating presence at the tables and unmatched charisma. His charm and skill have made him one of poker’s most beloved figures, with a loyal fanbase that admires his entertaining style of play.