Player Profile: Scotty Nguyen
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Speaking of "baby," Nguyen has one of the greatest quotes in poker history. On the final hand of the 1998 WSOP Main Event, he was heads up against Kevin McBride, and there was a full house showing on the board (eights full of nines). Nguyen moved all in, and while his opponent considered the call, Nguyen taunted him with, "You call, gonna be all over, baby." McBride called, playing the board, and it was all over, baby. Nguyen showed a nine to win the hand -- and the championship -- with a higher full house (nines full of eights).
Scotty Nguyen has over $7 million in career tournament earnings -- 12th place on the all-time money list, just $1,000 behind Erik Seidel (who he will pass regardless of his finish here). If he finishes in the top 12 in this Main Event, he'll move into the Top 10 on the all-time money list, passing Paul Wasicka. And if he wins this event, he'll become poker's first $15 million man.
Scotty Nguyen has four WSOP bracelets on his resume, including the Main Event in 1998, and two bracelets in 2001. This year, he's already made two final tables, including a memorable second-place finish to Eli Elezra in Event #24 ($3,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo) where the final two players were drinking and laughing together, giving it the feel of a home game more than a WSOP final table.
Nguyen has also had success on the World Poker Tour, tying Daniel Negreanu for the career record with seven final table appearances. It took Nguyen several tries, but he finally won his first WPT title in Tunica in early 2006.
He often seems lackadaisical when he plays, talking and joking with the other players. He's even willing to take breaks in the middle of a major tournament to just relax and have a smoke, not worried about missing a hand or two. While he lacks the constant intensity of a player like Chris 'Jesus' Ferguson, Nguyen definitely has focus when he needs it, and his trademark sunglasses conceal eyes that are taking in everything that happens at the table.
Scotty Nguyen is in this event to win it, baby, and he has eyes for nothing but first place. Everyone seems to be rooting for him, as he is a favorite of fans and fellow pros alike. ESPN's best-case scenario has a famous player with his charisma at the final table.
Only four players have won the Main Event more than once -- Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and Stu Ungar. With these huge fields with thousands and thousands of players, many people thought the days of multiple championships had come to an end. Nguyen will try to prove them wrong over the next couple of days.
If anyone can do it, Scotty Nguyen can, baby.