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Vietnamese Americans Become Poker Force

UNITED STATES – As reported by Pacific News Service: "He came to the United States in 1977 after leaving Vietnam by boat, then spending time in a refugee camp.

"…And now, the world knows him as Men 'The Master' Nguyen, one of the most well-known professional poker players, thanks to the game's regular appearances on cable television. Since winning his first tournament in 1987 — 10 years after landing on U.S. soil — this player has pocketed more than $4 million from his expertise.

"…Among Vietnamese Americans, he isn't alone. Immigrants from this group are becoming a force on the professional poker tour, acing tournament after tournament, earning tens of thousands of dollars. For example, Vietnam-born John Phan of Long Beach, Calif., currently is second in Card Player magazine's player-of-the-year rankings, snaring more than $450,000 so far in 2005.

"…David G. Schwartz, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and coordinator of the Gaming Studies Research Center, said there are two reasons for the group's ascendancy: Gambling is not looked down upon in Asian cultures and immigrant groups often strive for success.

"…At most big competitions, Vietnamese Americans make up as much as 10 percent of the tournament fields but they always do well, Men Nguyen said.

"In the 2004 World Series of Poker, which featured a lineup of different games, Vietnamese Americans won three events. Californians Minh Nguyen, John Nguyen and Crystal Dòan each scored a title, taking home nearly $400,000 combined. And in a January tournament in Atlantic City, N.J., little known Nghi Van Tran, born in Vietnam and now living in Toronto, walked away victorious. Mimi Tran, of Torrance, Calif., came in fourth place. Combined, the two earned nearly $1 million.

"…The Vietnamese players also teach each other their best approaches as well as support each other, Nguyen said…"

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