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Razor’s Edge

John Phan cuts the competition to ribbons

Originally from Vietnam, John ‘The Razor’ Phan moved to America in his late teens and began playing poker with family and friends. He then played low-limit ring games in his local casino before moving to L.A. to work as a dealer. Without risking his own money, John saw which moves made people rich and which ones made them broke. Feeling confident, he decided to go to make a career for himself on the other side of the table.
Based in Long Beach, California, John is recognized as one of the most impressive tournament players in the world. He first made headlines in 2004 after winning two events at the 5th Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open before going on to win the $3K No-Limit Hold ‘em event at the Festa al Lago II. The following year, he won an event at the L.A. Poker Classic where he earned over $300K. He followed this with a runner-up finish in the $3K No-Limit Hold ‘em event at the 4th Annual Five-Star World Poker Classic in 2006.
John’s 2008 was spectacular. He won two WSOP bracelets and increased his tournament earnings to over $5.3 million. He picked up his first bracelet in the $3,000 No-Limit Hold ‘em event. He then took 1st in the $2,500 2-7 Triple Draw event. John’s extraordinary run continued when he made the final table at the WPT $15K No-Limit Hold’em event at the Bellagio Cup IV and then went on to win the 2008 WPT Legends of Poker $9.5K No-Limit Hold ‘em Main Event, walking away with over $1 million in prize money. After so much exceptional play it’s no surprise both Card Player and Bluff named him the 2008 Player of the Year.
John is an avid charity worker and returns to Vietnam several times a year to help the less fortunate in his home country.