Young Phan

Having been on the poker scene for the last 16 years, Young Phan is a veteran who enjoys his game thoroughly. Phan, originally a native of Vietnam, migrated to the United States in 1975. Residing in Irvine, California, Phan graduated from California Polytechnic in San Luis Obispo and also studied at UCLA, excelling in academics.

Young Phan took up his first job working as a casino supervisor at the Bicycle Casino, marking the most defining moment in his life. Immersed in the world of poker, Young Phan then drew more inspiration from veteran poker player Johnny Chan. Phan eventually decided to dedicate his entire life to poker and turned professional. Young Phan shifted his career from casino supervisor to full-time professional poker player and this gave him an advantage over his opponents.

Hailing from an orthodox family, Young Phan’s family were under the impression that professional poker didn’t quite fall under the category of legitimate sources of income. They eventually found out his secret and came around to slowly accepting it.

Young Phan has won more than $400,000 in the last 2 years, which includes earnings of $142,832 and $125,273 at WPT No Limit Hold’em and Caesars Indian WSOP Circuit event respectively in the same year. His most memorable win to date was at a poker tournament in Reno in 1999, where he reportedly earned $370,000.

With such a no-nonsense attitude towards his poker, Phan proudly admits, “Poker is not gambling, but work for me. I treat it like a business and I work hard at it.”

 

Top Ranking Tournaments for Young Phan:

• November 5, 2007 - 2007 World Poker Finals, WPT Event Season 6, Winnings - $142,832, Rank - 2nd
• September 1, 2007 - 2007 Grand Casino Tunica Poker Tournament, WSOP Circuit Event - No Limit Hold’em,  Winnings - $40,348, Rank - 1st