A Master Stroke

It seemed inevitable, and it has come to pass. Men "The Master" Nguyen is now ranked No. 1 in Card Player's Player of the Year standings.

It's like déjà vu of the 2004 race, as Nguyen jumps past longtime leader John Phan with just four days until the start of the $15,000 main event at the Five Diamond World Poker Classic. Last year, David "The Dragon" Pham pulled a similar late-season rally, pulling ahead of points leader Daniel Negreanu just two days before the kickoff of Bellagio's big-buy-in event.

"The Master" has been nothing short of brilliant over the past five weeks, making five final tables since Nov. 2, with two of those coming in the past six days. He has added 1,500 Player of the Year points to his total during this run, and is now sitting 124 points ahead of second-place Phan.

Nguyen is a three-time Player of the Year award winner, last taking home the honor in 2002. A fourth title is now his to lose with just over three weeks remaining in the 2005 season.

By Scott Huff

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