Known as "The Razor," this Vietnamese-born competitor has been playing poker since he was 16. Always a fashion plate at the table, Phan changes up his game like he changes his hair color, which is quite often.

John is well respected as one of the top minds of the game and is well-known for playing large numbers of tournaments each year. He has come close to winning Card Player's Player of the Year title, but the feat managed to slip past his grip in the 2005 race. In 2006, Phan narrowly missed another career mile-marker when he finished second in a $1,000 buy-in World Series of Poker no-limit hold'em event for almost $290,000. In 2007, he had another shot at a bracelet in a $2,500 buy-in no-limit hold'em event, but again finished in runner-up position. At the 2008 World Poker Tour Bay 101 Shooting Star event, Phan made the televised final table. He took sixth place. At the 2008 WSOP, Phan finally got his moment of glory when he took down the $3,000 buy-in no-limit hold'em event. He pocketed almost $435,000, and, more importantly, his first bracelet. He waited a long time for the first one but wouldn't have to wait more than a few days for his second. Just a couple events later, Phan won the $2,500 limit deuce-to-seven triple-draw lowball event. Continuing his hot run, Phan made a WPT final table at the Bellagio Cup IV and finished fifth for almost $194,000.