WSOP: a special win at the world series of poker
1st July, 2008
Scotty Nguyen, poker professional, won his fifth World Series of Poker bracelet and almost $2 million in the $50,000 buy in H.O.R.S.E. tournament.
Nguyen outlasted a field of 148 players to win what has become one of the most prestigious events at the WSOP. The tournament is the ultimate test of poker skill as it rotates through a variety game, which means a player must be well rounded to win.
The tournament’s winner also receives the Chip Reese trophy in honour of the professional poker player, who won the H.O.R.S.E. event in its inaugural year and later passed away unexpectedly.
“This is what I want, baby,” Nguyen said. “It’s my dream to win this event. You know, the Main Event – I already have it. The H.O.R.S.E. event, that was so important to me. I wanted to be the only man to ever win the Main Event at the World Series and the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. and a WPT Main Event.”
“And now I’m the only man that’s ever done that. And also (I wanted it) for Chip Reese. The man was a legend. The poker world just misses him so much. He was a good player, and a gentleman. I wanted to be the first man to win his trophy, to remember him.”
Eric Lindgren, poker professional who won his first bracelet at this year’s WSOP, finished third in this event and won $781,440 after being knocked out by Nguyen.
“After E-dog’s gone, everything’s just like a walk through the park,” Nguyen said. “Nobody’s going to stop me.”
Once the final card came out and Nguyen was the victor there was a huge roar of the crowd as most of the people watching the final table were rooting for him to win.
“It’s important to give fans what they want – a good game, a good show,” Nguyen said. “The fans fly in from all over the world. They fly in from Germany, Australia, London, Paris, just to come and see you. They ask you for pictures, autographs, and you can’t say no to them. I always stop. That’s why wherever I go – the home team, baby! I’m the fan favourite, baby!”
By Michael
