QUALIFIERS - Tay Nguyen

What’s your home town?
Elk Grove, Calif.

Where did you go to school?
California State University of Sacramento.

What’s your marital status?
Single.

What do you do for a living?
Currently unemployed.

Any kids?
No.

How long have you been playing poker?
About four years.

What or who inspired you to start playing?
Friends.
 
How long have you been playing at Bodog?
About two years.

Tell us about your best poker win…
My best poker win was when I started to play poker online. I entered a $20 buy-in tournament and took first place out of about 750 players. I won $3K; it was a great accomplishment for me. 

How did you win your seat?
I won through a satellite $250 buy-in. My friends were screaming more than I did.

What do you think your chances are of winning the WSOP*? 
The chances are very small but I will try to go as far as possible.

Who is your favorite poker player?
Scotty Nguyen because he was the first professional poker player that I heard of from my friends.

What would you do if you won?
Do some charity work and travel around the world.
 
How much would you need to win to make you quit your job?
Over a million. Then I’d play some poker and travel.

What would your tagline be if you turned pro?
Tay “the Tayster” Nguyen

What single story best defines you and your life?
It’s when I started to play $2-$4 NL poker. It changed my life and now most of my free time is spent at the poker table.

How will you spend your time off in Vegas?
Go to the bars and hang out with friends.

What type of player are you?
Mixed, sometimes tight, sometimes aggressive, depending on who’s at the table at that time.

Have you been to Vegas before? If so, any good stories? If not, what are you expecting?
Yes, I’ve been four or five times. The best was my friend’s bachelor party.