Kai Cocklin is a poker journalist and live reporting manager who has worked with PokerNews at major festivals including the World Series of Poker and the European Poker Tour. He has managed multiple live reporting teams at the World Series of Poker and trained individual reporters to develop their skills. He now oversees Somuchpoker’s editorial and live coverage, ensuring consistent quality and engaging content across the Asian poker scene.

Updated: 2025.12.18

Khoi Le Nguyen (often referred to in the industry as Nguyen Le) is a Vietnamese professional poker player who has had a historic, record-breaking year in 2025. He is currently ranked #1 on the Vietnam All-Time Money List after a meteoric rise that saw him win over $4 million in a single season.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With over $4,505,381 in total live earnings, according to The Hendon Mob, Khoi Le Nguyen has become one of the most successful Asian players on the global high-stakes circuit.

His career-best live cash of $2,686,913 came from winning his first-ever World Series of Poker (WSOP) Gold Bracelet in the $50,000 High Roller (Event #88) in July 2025. This victory is considered one of the most impressive of the year, as he defeated a field of 252 elite professionals, including runner-up Alexandre Reard.

Other major 2025 highlights contributing to his poker net worth include:

$777,777 – 1st place in the BetMGM Poker Championship at ARIA, Las Vegas, in July 2025. This was a legendary “chip and a chair” comeback where he was down to a single big blind with 11 players remaining.
$425,000 – 1st place in the Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship in Atlantic City in January 2025.
$301,000 – 1st place in the Poker Masters #8 ($15,000 buy-in) at the PokerGO Studio in September 2025.
$55,500 – 6th place in the PGT Last Chance #1 in January 2025.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from Vietnam and currently residing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Khoi Le Nguyen represents a new generation of high-stakes Vietnamese talent. His 2025 campaign is widely regarded as one of the best “breakout years” in poker history, as he entered the year with relatively modest live scores and finished it as a top-30 player on the PokerGO Tour (PGT) leaderboard. He gained viral attention during the WSOP for admitting he charged his $50,000 High Roller buy-in to his credit card because his company allowed the rewards points.

Play Style & Strategy

Nguyen is characterized by his technical resilience and a “never-say-die” attitude, most famously demonstrated by his ARIA comeback.

High-Stakes Fearlessness: Despite describing himself as an amateur compared to world-class pros, his performance in the $50k High Roller showed a player capable of aggressive, high-pressure play against the best in the world.
Adaptability: He excels in high-buy-in, short-field “Studio” events like the Poker Masters, but has also proven he can navigate massive, multi-day fields like the 1,853-entry BetMGM Championship.
Strategic Growth: His rapid ascent to 70th in the Global Poker Index (GPI) rankings suggests a highly efficient learning curve and a sophisticated understanding of late-stage tournament dynamics.

Recent Attendances