The Prince of Poker and a veteran poker bad boy is the one and only Scotty Nguyen. Thuan “Scotty” Nguyen is a Vietnamese American professional poker player and five time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, most notably as the winner of the 1998 World Series of Poker Main Event and the 2008 WSOP $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship where he took home $1,989,120.
Nguyen is noted for playing with lots of emotion. On the final hand of the 1998 World Series of Poker’s Main Event, a full house was dealt on the table (9-9-8-8-8). Nguyen made the memorable quote to his opponent Kevin McBride, “You call, gonna be all over, baby!” McBride called, saying “I call. I play the board.” Nguyen beat McBride with a better full house (9-9-9-8-8). Nguyen’s Main Event triumph in 1998 was followed immediately by tragedy – the very next day, one of his brothers was hit by a car back home in Vietnam, and killed. For this reason, Scotty does not wear his 1998 WSOP championship bracelet.
At the 2008 $50,000 World Series of Poker H.O.R.S.E. event, Nguyen exhibited what many have considered objectionable, and even rule-breaking behavior. In the broadcast of the prestigious event, Nguyen was shown drinking numerous alcoholic beverages (Like Phil Hellmuth did recently) while swearing and scolding others at the final table, drawing criticism from commentators. After Scotty went on to win, he later issued an apology to his fans and stated that the event’s editing depicted him unfairly. He also cited issues of exhaustion, frustration with the perceived gloating of Michael DeMichele, and pressure to succeed as reasons for his unconventional behavior. It’s a mind game and if you take home the grand prize I think there is something to be said for that sober or not. This is very typical of Scotty Nguyen’s character; his flashy fashions, everpresent shades and jewelry keep him a mystery at the custom poker tables. A mystery which seems to be working for him given his live poker earnings have exceeded $10,300,000.