Anh Nguyen Unveils World Poker Games “Where The World Plays”

In an exclusive interview with Somuchpoker, Anh Nguyen, the driving force behind Vietnam Poker Games (VPG), shared the inspiration and vision behind his bold new project: World Poker Games (WPG).

CEO Anh Nguyen Unveils World Poker Games

Co-Founder and CEO of World Poker Games, Anh Nguyen revealed that the idea of expanding beyond Vietnam had been in his mind for years. The idea was born out of a deep love for the game and inspired by key industry figures.

This idea has been brewing in my mind for many years. It all began from passion. Since 2017, I’ve been deeply involved in organizing poker events in Vietnam, and through that journey, I’ve had the privilege of working with people I truly admire: Lloyd Fontillas (APT), Danny McDonagh (WPT), and James Kim (APL). Their consistency, dedication, and passion for Asia poker have been deeply inspiring. If there were a Hall of Fame for poker in Asia, I would vote for them without hesitation.

A pivotal moment came in November 2024 when a government restriction forced Nguyen and VPG to cancel the final day of its Ho Chi Minh event.

Though players were not severely affected, it was heartbreaking not to crown our Main Event champion. That experience, combined with increasing regulatory uncertainty, pushed me to think bigger. We needed a way to ensure stability, safety, and continuity for players. That’s how the idea of expanding beyond Vietnam truly took form.

 By early 2025, my team and I officially began laying the foundation for what is now “World Poker Games”.

What does the name “World Poker Games” represent to you, and how does it reflect your vision?

Inspired by my friend Pan Yu of China Poker Games, we created “Vietnam Poker Games”, but for our next chapter, we needed a name with global resonance.

 That’s how World Poker Games (WPG) was born, along with the slogan “Where the World Plays”. It reflects our ambition to build an international series where players from all regions feel welcome and excited to compete.

When you first imagined this expansion, what values did you want WPG to stand for in the Asian scene?

At the core, it’s about safety, integrity, professional and memorable player experience. We believe poker is more than a mind sport, it’s a high-stakes journey that deserves to be structured, transparent, and exhilarating. Every hand, every final table, every trophy should be part of a story worth remembering.

The Asian poker market is increasingly competitive, but Nguyen believes WPG will stand out thanks to the strength of the Vietnamese poker community, a group that has been gaining recognition across Asia. By combining this talent pool with carefully designed structures and transparent policies, Nguyen aims to build a brand that players will trust.

The Vietnamese poker community has grown significantly, producing many strong contenders at Asian events. Recognizable figures such as Dao Minh Phu (Triton champion), Nguyen Quang Minh, Nguyen Trung Quan, Nang Quang Nguyen, and Hoang Hai Nam all come to mind.

 Having the support of such a passionate and growing player base is an advantage. But beyond that, we are committed to offering seamless execution, transparent policies, and carefully crafted tournament structures that elevate the experience. 

Our goal is to earn the trust of not just Vietnamese players, but those across Asia and beyond. A place where players trust, return to, and feel proud to be a part of.

Further addressing the critical question of safety and experience, Nguyen stressed WPG’s commitment to partnering only with licensed, reputable venues in poker-friendly regions. Every detail will be studied and scrutinized.

Having organized events since the early days of poker in Vietnam, I understand how crucial safety is. At WPG, we are prioritizing partnerships with licensed, reputable venues in regions known for their poker-friendly environments.

 From operational protocols to venue selection and staff training, every detail will be designed to offer a secure, smooth, and enjoyable tournament journey. Our players deserve nothing less.

While the official launch date remains under wraps, Nguyen assured that the announcement is coming soon.

Our team is working tirelessly to prepare for a launch that meets our standards for excellence. We will make a formal announcement soon, and trust me, it’ll be worth the wait.

While we have big ambitions, our initial focus is quality over quantity. In the first few years, we’ll start with fewer but well-executed events. By year five, our goal is to reach 8 major stops annually across the region.

Target locations include some of Asia’s most exciting poker hubs: Taipei, Jeju, Manila, Phnom Penh, and Incheon, with Taipei holding a special place in Nguyen’s heart.

CTP and its founder David Tai, along with Raymond Wong, are my old friends and respected figures. We plan to bring WPG to Taipei, and soon we will be there.

Can you share any details on tournament formats or structures players can look forward to?

Our Event Director, Benjamin Young from Australia, will reveal full details soon. He is known for his integrity and consistency, two qualities I believe are essential in building a great series.

 WPG will feature a mix of proven favorites like Mystery Bounty, Freezeout, PLO, Mixed Games, Team event, Heads-up, but also introduce fresh formats never seen before in the region. We want to push the boundaries and keep players engaged, surprised, and rewarded.

Nguyen closed the interview with a heartfelt message: “Thank you to the community for supporting Vietnam Poker Games over the years. We’re proud to begin this new journey with you. Stay tuned for World Poker Games.”