Men Nguyen
United States of America7
5
Bio
Men “The Master” Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American professional poker player renowned for his seven World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet wins. Born and raised in Phan Thiet, Vietnam, in 1954, Nguyen emigrated to the United States in 1978, seeking a better life and settling in California under political asylum. Initially, Nguyen worked various jobs to support himself, but it wasn’t long before he discovered his passion and talent for poker.
Nguyen would go on trips to Las Vegas every weekend, at first just dusting his hard-earned money. However, he eventually mastered the game and began winning consistently. He opened several businesses with his poker earnings but sold them all in order to focus solely on poker. Over the years, he has established himself as one of the most successful and recognizable figures in poker.
World Series of Poker
Men Nguyen has been a staple on the World Series of Poker circuit since the late 1980s. He has an impressive record with a total of seven WSOP bracelets, placing him seventh on the All-time WSOP Bracelet list, tied with Billy Baxter. Nguyen’s first bracelet came in 1992, and over the span of three decades, he continued to add to his collection in different events and poker formats, showcasing his versatility and durability.
His most recent bracelet was in 2010 in the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship event for $394,807. Nguyen’s biggest cash was at the same series in the $5,000 No Limit Hold’em Six Handed event, where he finished runner-up and pocketed $412,746.
Unlike some other poker veterans, who made their name before the poker boom, Nguyen continues to participate at the WSOP every summer. He has made a cash in every year since 1998, with the exception of the COVID year 2021! As of now, Nguyen has accumulated over $4.2 million in WSOP earnings.
Men Nguyen WSOP Bracelets
| Year | Event | Prize |
| 1992 | $1,500 Seven-card stud | $120,600 |
| 1995 | $2,500 Seven-card stud hi-lo | $96,000 |
| 1995 | $2,500 Limit Texas hold ’em | $110,000 |
| 1996 | $2,500 Omaha hi-lo | $110,000 |
| 2003 | $5,000 Seven-card stud | $178,560 |
| 2003 | $1,500 Ace to Five Triple Draw Lowball | $43,520 |
| 2010 | $10,000 Seven-card stud | $394,807 |
World Poker Tour
Nguyen has also made his mark on the World Poker Tour (WPT). While he has not yet captured a WPT title, he has several final table appearances and over $1.3 million in earnings. His best result is a sixth-place finish at the 2026 WPT World Championship, where he earned $292,915.
Men Nguyens Top 5 WPT Results
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
| 2006 | $25,500 WPT Championship | 6th | $292,915 |
| 2018 | $5,000 WPT Gardens Main Event | 3rd | $270,430 |
| 2008 | $10,300 WPT Championship | 3rd | $241,193 |
| 2005 | $10,000 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star | 6th | $200,000 |
| 2008 | $25,500 WPT Championship | 26th | $79,145 |
Other Poker Achievements
Nguyen got his nickname “Men the Master” in 1991 from one of his protégés he was tutoring, which included WSOP bracelet winners David Phan and Minh Nguyen. He also taught poker to his wife, Van Nguyen, who made history by winning the 2008 WPT Celebrity Invitation for $125,500, becoming the first woman to win a WPT title outside of Ladies events. His younger brother, Ut Nguyen, has also achieved moderate success, with over half a million in live tournament earnings.
In addition to his poker achievements, Nguyen is known for his philanthropy. He donates a portion of his winnings to various charities and has helped finance the construction of two schools in Vietnam.
