Nguyen snaps World Series of Poker's run of 20-something winners
Former nail salon owner and failed professional baccarat player Qui Nguyen won the World Series of Poker Main Event early on Wednesday morning in Las Vegas, claiming the top prize of $8,005,310 and a gold bracelet after a nine-hour heads-up session that was the longest in tournament history.
Wearing a raccoon baseball cap throughout the final table, the 39-year-old Nguyen eliminated San Francisco poker pro Gordon Vayo on the 364th hand of the final table almost 200 hands with just the two of them at the felt with the first place prize money splayed between them in giant bricks of $100 bills.
The native of Vietnam emerged from a field of 6,737 in the $10,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em Main Event, the final and most prestigious in a series of 69 World Series of Poker tournaments.