Scotty Nguyen

Name: Scotty Nguyen
Location: Las Vegas, NV, United States
Cashes: 190
Total Winnings: $10,184,201
First Place Finishes: 32
WSOP Bracelets: 5
ProRank 1 Position: 1

Scotty Nguyen came to the U.S. from South Vietnam in 1974 at the age of 14, shortly thereafter getting his start on the card table in back-room poker games in his new home of Orange County. Eventually Scotty was expelled from his school because he spent more time on the tables than he did in class.

Southern California was Scotty’s introduction to casino poker, where he took a job as a poker dealer to make ends meet. This proved invaluable, each dealing session a lesson. Scotty watched the winners and losers, committed his observations to memory. Using his skill and new-found knowledge, Scotty soon established himself as a formidable player and was able to provide a living for his family on winnings from the card table.

Scotty was immortalized in the 1998 World Series of Poker Championship, saying to Kevin McBride: “You call this one, and it’s all over, baby!” McBride called, and it was all over. That was Scotty Nguyen’s $1,000,000 hand, and second WSOP bracelet.

A character and a charmer to be sure, Scotty Nguyen can often be seen at the tables in Las Vegas with a beer in his hand, gleaming as the river hits and crushes his oponnent. “That’s poker, baby.” It’s hard to be angry when you’re knocked out by such a charismatic winner.