Nguyen is noted for playing with much emotion. He went on to win the 1998 World Series of Poker and split 1/3 of the winnings ($333,333) with Matusow. On the final hand of the 1998 World Series of Poker's Main Event, a full house was dealt on the table (). Nguyen made the memorable quote to his opponent Kevin McBride: "You call, it's gonna be all over baby!" McBride called, saying "I call. I play the board." Nguyen beat McBride with a better full house by holding . Nguyen's Main Event triumph in 1998 was followed immediately by tragedy—the very next day, one of his brothers was hit by a car back home in Vietnam, and killed. For this reason, Scotty does not wear his 1998 WSOP championship bracelet.