Nationality
Vietnamese-American
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Born (date and place of birth)
February 10, 1967 in South Vietnam
Residence (current location)
Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Children (number, ages)
Four children
Year started playing poker
Late 1990s (early known results from 2000)
Age when started playing
Approximately 30 years old
Year turned professional
Around 2000
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
2001 WSOP $2,000 S.H.O.E. event, prize $140,455
Who introduced to poker / first mentor
Cousin Men Nguyen, a renowned professional poker player
First important tournament
Early significant tournament results in 2000 WSOP with two final tables
Main motivation for turning pro
Pursued poker professionally after learning from cousin and early tournament success
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Informal, learned poker from Men Nguyen and experience in tournaments
Total live tournament winnings
Over $11,588,568 in live tournaments
Number of tournament wins
Over 30 tournament titles including 3 WSOP bracelets and more than 29 first-place finishes
Number of final tables
At least 50+ final tables including 13 WSOP final tables and 10 WPT final tables
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
Approximately $800,185 for 2nd place at 2007 WPT Legends of Poker; largest bracelet win $391,960 in 2017 WSOP $1,500 No Limit Hold'em
WSOP bracelets (number)
3 (2001 $2,000 S.H.O.E., 2006 $2,000 No Limit Hold'em Shootout, 2017 $1,500 No Limit Hold'em)
WSOP cashes (number)
89 WSOP cashes
WSOP final tables
13 WSOP final tables
Best WSOP Main Event result
44th place in 2001 WSOP Main Event
Country ranking
Top Vietnamese-American poker player, prominent in US poker scene
All Time Money List position
Among top 100 on All Time Money List with over $11 million in live earnings
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Significant activity and results peak years 2000, 2007, 2017
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
No-Limit Hold'em and Mixed Games (including S.H.O.E.)
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Primarily live tournaments, also some online play
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Full ring and 6-max preferences
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
NLHE, S.H.O.E. (mixed games including Stud, Hold'em, Omaha, Razz)
Specialization limits
Mid-to-high stakes tournament buy-ins ($1,500 to $9,700+)
Favorite casinos/locations
Commerce Casino (Los Angeles), Bellagio, Caesars, Commerce, various WSOP venues
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Aggressive and consistent, known for relentless aggression in an era of passive play
Known for bluffs/traps
Known for strong aggressive strategy rather than excessive bluffing
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Intuitive with mathematically-informed decisions, influenced by modern game theory
Style adaptability
High adaptability across mixed games and hold'em formats
Playing strengths
Mixed games expertise, consistency in tournaments, strong heads-up play
GTO strategy usage
Uses modern poker strategies and Game Theory Optimal play principles
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
Appeared on televised poker shows including World Poker Tour events
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
Featured in CardPlayer interviews and major poker news outlets
Own business (business names, descriptions, websites)
Ownership of a nail salon in Los Angeles with wife (historical)
Poker publication articles (publication names, article titles, publication dates, links)
Featured in CardPlayer and poker news publications
Poker industry awards (award names, years, organizations)
CardPlayer Player of the Year 2000 and 2007
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Respected amongst peers; noted for consistency and aggression
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
Over 30 tournament wins, 3 WSOP bracelets, significant cash in top events
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Popularized aggression in mixed games; helped bring prominence to Vietnamese-American players
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Renowned as a tough competitor with longevity and skill across mixed games and hold'em
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Influential in popularizing aggressive strategies in early 2000s poker tournament scene
WSOP (World Series of Poker) - all events all years
2024|USA|World Series of Poker|Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino|Event #23: $1,500 SHOOTOUT No-Limit Hold'em|1500|58|6243|1534|||
EPT (European Poker Tour) - all seasons
2008|Caribbean|European Poker Tour|PokerStars Caribbean Adventure|Main Event|25000|4|600,000|||
WSOP Circuit events
2024|USA|WSOP Circuit|Commerce Casino|WSOPC Event #11: $1,700 MAIN EVENT|1700|30|8,190|1209|||