Van Nguyen first woman to win WPT event

Van Nguyen became the first woman to ever win a World Poker Tour event when she won the Celebrity Invitational this week.

The Invitational has a high proportion of stars who come to play their best poker and donate money to charity. 

Out of 445 players, about 100 celebrities attended, including Don Cheadle, Ricki Lake, James Woods, Oliver Hudson, Montel Williams, Jeniffer Tilly, Tia Carrere and Mimi Rogers.

In addition to the main prize fund, there is a side pot of $30,000 that goes to various charities.

Van Nguyen made it to the final table where she faced a tough crowd, including two other women.  She finally beat Billy Baxter – holder of 7 WSOP bracelets – and Poker4Life founder Ethan Ruby, to win first place and $100,000.  As part of her WPT prize, Nguyen also won a seat to the WPT World Championship which will be held in April in the Las Vegas Bellagio.

Van is no newcomer to the world of poker.  She is married to poker pro Men “The Master” Nguyen, one of the world’s best players. 

Named Player of the Year in 1997, 2001, 2003 and 2005 Men has won over 80 tournaments.  He is known to have mentored many young players, and it would seem he has now taken his wife under his wing.