WPT Career Stats
| Stat |
Rank |
Value |
| Tournaments Played |
25 |
56 |
| WPT Win % |
82 |
01.79% |
| WPT Final Tables |
2 |
7 |
| In The Money Finishes |
12 |
11 |
| WPT Career Earnings |
29 |
$1,846,504 |
| Player Rating |
1 |
0 |
Scotty grew up in Nha Trang, Vietnam where and in 1974 his large, close-knit family encouraged him to escape poverty and the hardship that was inevitable in his community. Scotty took a few possessions and boarded a ship headed for the United States of America. He was introduced to a host family in Chicago and later another in Orange County, California. The difficulties he experienced adjusting to a new country, culture, and lifestyle led to disruptive behavior at home and school. It was at this point in his life that he was introduced to the game of poker, playing in back room games instead of attending high school classes.
He followed his love of poker into the casinos and card rooms of Southern California, hoping to find success in a career that complimented his style. Instead, Scotty found a game that would require more practice and discipline than he had given to any project in his life thus far. His small bankroll was lost and he was forced to take a job as a casino dealer. This proved to be the turning point in his career as he learned invaluable lessons by watching both the winning and losing players at his tables. Scotty made an adequate living throughout his 20's in cash games at local casinos and he began to build a family with his wife. However, he was not satisfied with an adequate lifestyle. The drive and determination that have always been an integral part of his personality led him to take his game to the next level of tournament play.
In 1997, Scotty won his first WSOP bracelet in the $2,000 Omaha Eight or Better tournament, gaining the notoriety to which he aspired, along with the title and prize money. The next year he placed in three WSOP tournaments and won the $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship, the most highly regarded title in the game of poker and a $1 million prize. Scotty has appeared in the 1999 poker-themed movie, Big Blind as well as several guest spots on Conan O'Brien's talk show and seven final tables on the World Poker Tour. To date Scotty has placed in the money in over 100 tournaments around the world and he has won 17 of them. Included in that outstanding number are four WSOP wins for the coveted gold bracelets. He has won over $6.7 million during his poker career, making him one of the highest earning tournament players in the games history.