Scotty Nguyen

Scotty Nguyen was born Thuận B. Nguyễn on October 28, 1962, in Nha Trang, Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, his mother sent him out of the country, first to Taiwan, then to the United States at age 14 after finding a sponsor in Orange County, California. He was expelled from school for spending too much time in underground poker games. At 21, he attended dealer school and worked at Harrah's poker room, making about $150 a night, which he often lost playing $3–$6 stud. His luck turned in 1985 when he dealt at a no-limit Hold'em tournament in Lake Tahoe and played cash games at night, building a bankroll to $7,000. He then moved to Las Vegas, where his bankroll grew to $1 million, allowing him to play with legends like Johnny Chan, Puggy Pearson, and David Grey. However, bad habits—including marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol addictions—led to a costly losing streak, leaving him broke. A friend spared him a room and $5,000, forcing him to rebuild.

Nguyen's first major tournament success came at the 1997 World Series of Poker, where he won the $2,000 Omaha 8 or Better event for $156,959. But he lost that bankroll and was completely broke just before the 1998 WSOP. He entered a satellite tournament with financial help from Mike Matusow, who bankrolled one-third of the buy-in. Nguyen went on to win the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event, defeating Kevin McBride heads-up. In the final hand, with a board of 8♣ 9♦ 9♥ 8♥ 8♠, Nguyen held 9♣ J♦ for a full house, while McBride held a lower full house. Nguyen famously said, 'You call, it's gonna be all over, baby!' McBride called, saying 'I play the board,' and Nguyen turned over his hand to win the $1,000,000 first prize. Tragically, the next day, Nguyen's brother was killed in a car accident in Vietnam. For this reason, Nguyen does not wear his 1998 WSOP bracelet.

Nguyen has won five WSOP bracelets overall. His wins include:

• 1997: $2,000 Omaha 8 or Better ($156,959)
• 1998: $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event ($1,000,000)
• 2001: $2,500 Pot-Limit Omaha ($178,480)
• 2001: $5,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better ($287,580)
• 2008: $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship ($1,989,120)

He is the only player to have won both the WSOP Main Event and the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E./Poker Players Championship. In 2018, he finished third in a $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller for $592,875. His other notable WSOP cashes include 11th place in the 2007 Main Event ($476,926). Overall, he has 46 WSOP money finishes.

Nguyen has also found success on the World Poker Tour (WPT), including one title and eight final table appearances. He has 21 WPT money finishes. Additionally, he has a cash in the European Poker Tour (EPT). His aggressive style has made him a regular in high-stakes events for decades.

Nguyen is known for a loose-aggressive style, often playing many hands and applying constant pressure. He is a master of table talk and psychological manipulation, using his laid-back demeanor and occasional drinking to disguise his thoughtful decisions. His most famous line, 'You call, it's gonna be all over, baby!' became poker lore. He is nicknamed both 'The Prince of Poker' and 'The Train' for his unstoppable momentum. Nguyen's flamboyant personality—wearing sunglasses, smoking, and engaging in verbal jousting—made him a fan favorite. He has been described as the 'bad boy of poker' for his on-table antics, but his success and charisma have earned him the respect of peers.

Nguyen was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2013, saying at the time: 'You work so hard, you put so much time in that you want and hope it will be recognized. This is something my grandkids will talk about.' He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. His career earnings exceed $12.7 million. Despite his past struggles with addiction, Nguyen remains an influential figure in poker, inspiring a generation of aggressive players. He continues to play high-stakes tournaments and cash games, maintaining his status as a poker icon.