The 40th Annual World Series of Poker is only weeks away. Between now and the start of the Main Event BluffMagazine.com will be presenting the 40 Greatest Champions in WSOP history exclusively on WorldSeriesofPoker.com.
Men Nguyen left a war torn Vietnam in 1978 and was granted political asylum in America, making his home in Los Angeles. Making his living as a machinist, Nguyen did not play poker until a trip to Las Vegas in 1984. He was terrible at first, earning the nickname “Money Machine,” a far cry from his recognizable Men “The Master” moniker which is more suitable for the fourth place finisher in the Main Event in 1996.
Nguyen has won six bracelets and a circuit ring in his WSOP career. Three of his bracelets have come in Seven Card Stud; he won his first in 1992, his second in 1995 in a Hi/Lo event, and then in 2003 in a $5k buy-in event. He won his third overall bracelet in 1995 in Limit Hold ‘Em and followed up with another bracelet in 1996 in Omaha Hi/Lo. His most recent bracelet was in 2003 in Ace to Five Triple Draw.
Nguyen’s best year at the WSOP was 2003. He won two bracelets in four days in addition to having two seconds and a fourth place finish prior to his wins. Then he walked away from the Main Event in 25th place, ending the WSOP with over $400k in tournament winnings.
“The Master” has also found tremendous success in the WSOP Circuit events. He has won a Circuit Main Event ring in 2007 at the Caesar’s Indiana stop. He has four tournament wins and eleven cashes. He is also second all time, behind Phil Hellmuth, on the WSOP cash list with 62.
Nguyen has spent much of his career as a teacher and mentor to aspiring poker pros, including his cousin and two-time bracelet winner David “The Dragon” Pham. Nguyen is a proud philanthropist, financing two different schools in Vietnam and making yearly visits donating to different charities.