Tuan Mai

Tuan Mai, a Vietnamese-American poker professional, honed his skills in the competitive Bay Area poker scene, primarily at San Jose's Bay 101 casino. Known online and live as "Twannybo," he became a legendary figure among small-stakes grinders, consistently topping the leaderboards in daily tournaments. In his early years, Mai was described as a player who made almost no mistakes—technically sound, emotionally balanced, mentally tough, and physically fit, always arriving at the table sharp and focused. He frequently played in $125 daily tournaments at Bay 101, where his consistent profitability set him apart in a notoriously difficult environment where high rake makes it challenging to break even.

Mai's breakout performance came in March 2017 at the Bay 101 Shooting Star event, where he finished 14th, earning over $25,000—one of his largest early scores. His career-best live cash stands at $199,000, contributing to total live earnings of $2,087,673 according to the Hendon Mob database. As of mid-2025, he ranks 1,424th on the All Time Money List, 718th among United States players, and 123rd within California. While his cashes span various events, his reputation was built on grinding smaller buy-in tournaments with remarkable consistency, often navigating fields of hundreds to reach deep stages.

Mai is known for an aggressive, positionally aware style, often applying constant pressure on opponents. Fellow Bay Area grinder and author of a poker blog noted that Mai "never made a mistake" at the tables, combining technical precision with emotional control. He emphasizes physical fitness and mental preparation, treating poker as a sport requiring endurance and discipline. This approach allowed him to maintain focus during marathon sessions and withstand the variance of tournament poker. His ability to read opponents and make disciplined folds in marginal spots was frequently praised by those who played alongside him.

Though not a household name on the global stage, Tuan Mai is highly respected within the Bay Area poker community as a model of what it takes to succeed as a small-stakes professional. His journey from daily $125 tournaments to a seven-figure career earnings milestone illustrates the grind required to make a living in poker. The blog "Poker Dreams" profiles him alongside another grinder, highlighting how few players achieve his level of sustained success. Mai continues to play live tournaments, representing the Oakland area and demonstrating that technical excellence and mental fortitude can overcome the economic challenges of small-stakes poker.