Generation Next - Huy Nguyen Leaves the Corporate World in the Dust

Practically before his skyward-flung graduation cap and tassel had hit the ground, Huy Nguyen had landed a premium corporate job. He packed up his belongings at Oklahoma State University and set up shop at his new desk at IBM in Tulsa. His mom and dad were proud. His girlfriend and the girlfriend’s parents were impressed. From the outside looking in, Nguyen’s world seemed perfect. Don’t be deceived, though, as he was utterly miserable — and poker was partially to blame.

Nguyen, 25, had achieved some poker success in online tournaments during college, and dreamed of turning professional one day. But like a good son, he begrudgingly followed the advice of his family and friends and chose the security of a corporate paycheck. But after two long years, enough was enough. Something had to give.

“I would wake up each day hating my job,” said Nguyen. “Then, I would go home and play tournaments online at night until 2 a.m. I was miserable, and always tired. I knew that I had to quit one of them. So, I turned in my two-week notice and told my boss and co-workers that I was going to play poker for a living. They didn’t believe me.”

Nguyen plowed ahead, despite warnings from his family and friends, leading with his heart and passion for the game. He negotiated a sweet backing deal and $20,000 from a close friend, and turned it into a six-figure bankroll. He currently has more than $1 million in career online cashes, and recently found himself in the spotlight in the $1,000 WSOP Circuit Choctaw main event. He outlasted a field of 808 players to win the title, the championship ring, and $232,706. The victory qualifies Nguyen for the WSOP Circuit National Championship in May. He has no regrets. You only live once, so why not pursue your dreams?

Craig Tapscott: You’ve had some success previously in World Series events, correct?

Huy Nguyen: Yes. In 2006, I finished 194th in the main event, for $42,882.

CT: So, what was the main impetus to quit the cushy IBM job?

HN: My mentor, Aaron Ruppert, told me to make the leap of faith and go for it. I moved into his house, and he helped me make the transition to the bigger buy-in events online.

CT: Living with a bunch of poker players must be like a poker boot camp. Your game must grow leaps and bounds.

HN: Well, once you go pro, you have to dedicate your mind 100 percent to learning the game. I think the game gets easier and you learn a lot faster in that type of situation. But I was really grinding tournaments for quite a while before I made any significant ground. Then, Aaron decided to back me. I had a great deal, and was able to go completely on my own three months after the deal began.

CT: How has your big WSOP Circuit win impacted how your parents and girlfriend feel about poker?

HN: Well, my girlfriend doesn’t like the fact that I left IBM to gamble. And now, my family and friends have to tell everyone I’m a professional gambler. The win was on ESPN News. The big win does help my case, though. It’s all going to be fine now — I hope [laughing]. But I don’t want to grind poker the rest of my life. I want to end up owning a restaurant or investing in some other business ventures for the future.

CT: You mentioned to me when we began talking that you have a certain image the moment you sit down at the table. Please explain.

HN: Well, I’m Asian, obviously [laughing]. I realize that people see Asian players as being loose and gamblers. But I’m an Asian player with glasses, so they might see me as being a super-genius [laughing]. I take all of that into account and play off it. Sometimes I wear a gangster hoodie and have my baseball cap turned sideways, trying to convey a loose demeanor when I’m actually playing pretty tight. Sometimes I go the opposite way, and wear my IBM hoodie and a polo shirt. Whatever works.

CT: It sounds like quitting your job and moving in with poker friends was one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.

HN: Yes. It’s been like a supportive family surrounding me — and that’s been the key. Day after day, we are there for each other, for our losing sessions and winning ones. Whenever one of us has a big win, the rest of us get a fire inside of us to play with more motivation. My friends say that my WSOP Circuit win has really inspired them to play harder and be more motivated to do the daily grind. That feels great. ♠