Scotty Nguyen no Longer Prince of Poker

The world of poker is shocked and disappointed in Scotty Nguyen, whose reprehensible behavior and foul language was seen by many as a mockery of the first Chip Reese Memorial $50,000 HORSE tournament. Buckling under public pressure, the Prince of Poker issued an apology.

For those who didn’t see it on ESPN (or on the many YouTube versions posted in the past few days,) the final table of the first Chip Reese Memorial $50K HORSE got down to three players: Nguyen, Erick Lindgren and newcomer Michael DeMichele. DeMichele’s exuberant celebration after winning a few hands irritated Scotty, who started a tirade of foul language and fouler behavior that continued all the way to the end of the tourney. Among Scotty’s incredible antics – which were even more incredibly not penalized by WSOP authorities – were the fact of his showing his hole cards to the audience and telling DeMichele had a horseshoe stuck in his rear (to  this DeMichele responded saying “I’m disappointed in you Scotty.”) Later Scotty complained to Lindgren about his play, claiming “I tried to protect your hand,” which cast an unwelcome aspersion of collusion on Lindgren. Since the cocktail he ordered was not brought quickly enough, Scotty launched a series of f-bombs, causing Lindgren to complain. Finally, Scotty chanted “Nut! Nut!” to the crowd, later telling DeMichele “The only thing I know how to say is nut nut.”

The usually unflappable Erick Lindgren lost his temper (and chips) to the boisterous Nguyen, going so far as to make a few heated comments: responding to Nguyen’s suggestions that he was helping Lindgren he said “I ain’t on team Scotty and I told you that. Never been. Never will be.” After Nguyen knocked him out in third place, Lindgren told DeMichele “Go get him man, make Chip proud.” And as he was walking out of the TV room he remarked to Daniel Negreanu “You can’t beat a drunk!”

Scotty’s rudeness did not end with his victory – to DeMichele’s gracious comment on how he did not deserve to win yet because he was only 20, Scotty’s answer was “You don’t, baby.”

The ESPN editing team must have had a hard time getting enough footage that was fit for national TV (and bleeping out all of Scotty’s expletives,) but all of their censorship efforts were in vain once the poker fans saw the show: the forums boiled over with indignation at Scotty’s lack of sportsmanship and especially his disrespect of Chip Reese’s memory, which was being honored in the tourney. After many players emailed his personal website to air their complaints and disappointment, an apology email started making the rounds; this email was apparently written by Scotty and sent out of his personal email address to his fans to apologize and explain his behavior. These are some excerpts from the (rather wordy) email the forums attribute to Scotty Nguyen:

I would like to apologize to all my fans for the disappointment I have caused in the H.O.R.S.E. Event.  For that I would like to express my sincerest apology. 

I would like to ask for understanding of what really took place.  Keep in mind this was a five day event, with an almost fourteen hour final table that was reduced to two hours of air time including all the commercial breaks.  With that being said, as you can imagine, more took place than what made the final cut for t.v. 

Last year’s Main Event I made the mistake of letting someone get under my skin, of which overtook my mental focus of the game, and cost me my tournament along with a lot of disappointment amongst my fans and peers. (…) This year, I needed redemption of my own 2007 Main Event demons to prove to myself that no one would get to me again. 

This tournament was too important for me, the trophy, the fifth bracelet, and history, my head was zoned in for this event, and for that time, I forgot the fans were watching me.  I said things I shouldn’t have said that have disappointed you, and I apologize for my actions. 

This tournament I played the players game.  They wanted to play a drinking game, and they couldn’t win, they say they can’t even beat a drunk, how can you beat a drunk if I’m not drunk. (…) I gave it right back to them and got underneath their skin, and they couldn’t win.  When it came down to playing a poker game, the best will win. 

And all I have to say, I hope all you fans understand what I’m trying to say.  And watch the tape again.  I was not the one to start anything, not even drinking or talking, they wanted to start it with me, and they got beat by me fair and square on all levels they wanted to play. 

All I would ever be sorry, is how the fans feel about me, I would never be sorry to beat those players.  If they can’t accept defeat, then stay home, crawl under their loved ones arms, don’t bad mouth because you got beat by the best poker player. 

Another thing, I always bring joy and excitement to the poker game every time I’m on tv, and all of you know, when Scotty Nguyen is on tv, your eyes are glued on the screen.  Why?  Because I make it fun so you guys don’t switch the channel. 

Bottom line, I only ask for you to please understand and remember that I, Scotty Nguyen, the Prince of Poker is still a human being, just like all of you.  I too have good times, bad times, sad times and angry times, just like everyone else in this world, and I hope you can understand that.  I do promise to all the fans that no matter what, from now, I would never disappoint you again any which way.  I forgot about the fans, and only focused on me.  I am sorry.

Poker fans know that this is not a game for the weak of heart and that poker players can be expected to blow out sometimes (see Mike Matusow, Phil Hellmuth, Humberto Brenes) yet the poker community is deeply offended by the former Prince of Poker for his outrageous conduct and his disrespect of the much beloved Chip Reese’s memory.