Player Profile: Scotty Nguyen

Scotty Nguyen, also known as “The Train” and “The Prince of Poker”, was born in Nha Trang, Vietnam in 1962 and escaped from the Communists when he was 14 years old.

Scotty Nguyen, also known as “The Train” and “The Prince of Poker”, was born in Nha Trang, Vietnam in 1962 and escaped from the Communists when he was 14 years old. He spent his first year in the United States living in Chicago and then moved to California where he grew up. Instead of focusing on his school work, he spent a great deal of time learning to play Poker.

Scotty is sometimes known as “one of the most admired professional Poker players in the world as well as one of the most moneyed”.

Although he has a reputation for being a player who is easy-going and relaxed at the tables, he is very serious about winning and has one of the highest total Tournament winnings of all time. He is also known as one of the most aggressive Poker players with a great deal of confidence. He is very active and from the years 2000 to 2004, he finished in the money in more than 100 events.

Scotty Nguyen’s history making comment: During the World Series of Poker in 1998 in the final hand when Scotty was playing against Kevin McBride, there was a full house on the board. Scotty told McBride – “You call this one and it’s all over, baby!”

What happened was that McBride did in fact call since he thought that the full house showing on the board would give him half the pot. However, Scotty had a nine in his hand that gave him a larger full house.

Scotty Nguyen’s World Series of Poker Bracelets:

- 1997 $2,000 Omaha Eight or Better - $156,950 Prize
- 1998 $10,000 No Limit Hold’em World Championship - $1,000,000
- 2001 $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha - $178,480
- 2001 $5,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better - $287,580

Scotty has won a number of titles:

- Omaha Hi-Lo Event at 1997 World Series of Poker
- Pot-Limit Omaha Event at 2001 World Series of Poker
- Two World Poker Open Titles at Foxwoods
- Limit Hold’em and Seven Card Stud Events at 2003 Legends of Poker
- Omaha Hi-Lo and Seven Card Stud Events at 2003 Festa al Lago

World Series of Poker Achievements:

- 4 bracelets
- 27 money finishes

World Poker Tour Achievements:

- 1 World Poker Tour Title
- 5 final tables
- 10 money finishes

Scotty is not one to save or invest his money. However, he is very generous financially with his extended family and travels to Vietnam frequently to visit. He also likes to spend money on enjoying himself and has stated, “If I have $10,000, I will spend $9,000. I just go out and have fun.”

As of this writing, Scotty Nguyen has won in excess of $5,920,000 in live Tournament play. Like many other Poker stars, Scotty makes his home in Las Vegas.

About The Author Kenneth Bateman writes numerous articles on the subject of poker and its players. To read more player profiles, http://www.xlpoker.com.