Vinny Vinh was known in the poker world as a talented player with an exceptional feel for the game. He came from the Vietnamese community in the US and quickly made a name for himself on the professional scene. At the turn of the millennium, he was a frequent participant in major tournaments and earned respect for his aggressive but intelligent style of play.
But while his game was admired, whispers of his unusual behaviour began to emerge in his early years. Many disliked sitting at the table with him because of his inappropriate behaviour towards both opponents and dealers. In addition, some players claimed to have seen him in a state that resembled severe fatigue or even the influence of addictive substances.
WSOP 2007 - One of the most bizarre moments in history
Vinny Vinh was in great form at the 2007 WSOP. He cashed in two tournaments and showed his tremendous quality. But on both occasions, something happened that you just don't see in poker - Vinny disappeared in the middle of the tournament.
In the $1,000 buy-in NLH event, he starred on the opening day and advanced to Day 2 with the second-largest stack. When the players returned to the tables the next day, his seat was empty. The chips in front of the seat slowly dwindled as the tournament director forced the blinds. No one knew where Vinh was, and all day his stack fell until he was finally eliminated without even making an appearance. Still, he placed 20th for $16,212.
No one heard from Vinh for a week, so many were relieved when he reappeared. However, the same scenario repeated itself in the $2,500 NLH 6-Handed event, where once again Vinh advanced to Day 2, but again failed to make it to the casino the next day. His chips were just passive victims of the blinds, but he still finished in 22nd place and won $12,468.
Many were asking - what happened? Was he tired? Did he have health problems? Or was there something worse?
Speculation about drugs and personal problems
After his disappearances, there was talk in poker circles about his alleged drug addiction. Some players claimed that he had been seen in dodgy casino areas, and that his personal life was in shambles. Vinh's situation brought back memories of Stu Ungar, a legendary player who struggled with drug addiction for years and, although he won an estimated $30 million, eventually died without any assets.
After the 2007 WSOP, Vinny Vinh appeared in a few more tournaments, but never managed to return to the top. On several occasions, he started a tournament very well, but then "disappeared" before the final table. He was a shadow of his former self.
So where is Vinny Vinh today? No one knows for sure, there are discussions on poker forums about his fate. Some claim to see him occasionally in smaller casinos in Las Vegas or Los Angeles, but his star has long since faded. According to hendonmob, he was active until 2018, then took a hiatus until last year when he recorded one cashout in a WSOP Collosus event.
One thing is for sure, though - Vinny Vinh is an example of how even the greatest talent may not be enough if someone can't handle his own demons. His story will remain one of the most enigmatic in poker history, and until he reappears one day, he will remain just a legend - a talented player who could have achieved greatness but disappeared in the middle of the game.
Source - TheHendonMob, PokerNews, CardPlayer, Wikipedia, WSOP