POKER INFO - PROILE - Scotty Nguyen

I met Scotty Nguyen at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City at the 2004 Poker Tournament for No Limit, Texas Hold Em. It was an awesome! Nothing withstanding that when I first saw him, I said "Dude - It's Johnny Chan." Thankfully, he didn't hear that comment (or did he...?) and I followed up with "I saw you on ESPN at the WSOP" and that made him smile. We shook hands and parted ways. It was the healing salve on an otherwise bummer of an experience for my part. The drive one-way took 3 1/2 hours. Then there was the additional 45 minutes I spent standing in a very long line registering for a "Taj Card" - which allowed me to participate in the poker tournament. At the table, on the first hand I drew a Straight with a possible Flush draw showing from the flop. The turn and the river cards were off-suit. I know a Flush beats a Straight, but I couldn't bring myself to just dump the hand I was holding. I bet about half my chips...wouldn't you know it - the guy at the end is not only holding the Flush, he's holding a STRAIGHT FLUSH. The Poker Gods are cruel. On the second hand, I drew a King and 8 of diamonds suited. The guy at the end, having just taken half my chips bets heavy before the flop to drive me out - but I want to pay to see the flop, I call his bet. The flop brings a Queen, 8, 6 - all offsuit and I'm holding a pair of 8's with a King top card. I splash the pot and the guy at the end of the table raises over the top of me. I've been dying to say it since I sat down...so I look at him and say: "I'm All In!". The turn card (4th Street) brings another 6. Now I'm sitting on two pair and feeling good. The river card comes and it's a Jack offsuit. I look at my two pair and then look down the table and the guy at the end and he turns over shows his 8, 6. I cannot believe it....he is holding a FULLHOUSE and I am gone!! The first to go at my table. Not 5 minutes of poker tournament time for the over 4 hours I spent just to get up to that moment. I find myself cussing under my breath as I make my way out of the Taj. I clear the front doors, still grumbling...and there is Scotty Nguyen, finishing a cigarette and a cell phone call. A nice ending to an otherwise awful time at the Taj.