The Amazing Thi Minh Hong Pham (Sarah)

 

I met Sarah by accident. I was in Hai Phong, doing some work for the USOP Grand Finale Hai Phong 2024. During one lunch time, Derrick and myself (both reporters for SMP at that time), decided to go hunting for food. Being a former chef and an obvious foodie, I had done some research and found a place that had Crab Noodle Soup, or in Vietnamese - Pho Cua. 

The one I wanted to go to was closed, but there was one next door that was open. Yes, they still had Pho Cua. So... we stumbled into there anyway. We were lost in translation trying to look at the pictures and making use of Google translate when someone said hello.

She introduced herself as Sarah and asked if we were here for the USOP. Derrick had his lanyard ID around his neck. So yes, we introduced ourselves as media reporters, then she said she was a player coming home from London, where she is based, and that Hai Phong was her hometown, back to see her parents and all, play some poker, yada yada. She then, of course, suggested to us what to have. We didn't even have to lift a finger. She just did all the ordering. 

She was done with her lunch when we were starting ours and she said she had to head back and try to jump in one of the events. Well, Derrick and I still had to eat, and so we did. It was absolutely amazing! Still one of the best meals I've had in my life. Serious stuff.

When Derrick and I were finished and about to pay, it was apparently covered. Sarah had paid our meals and the few beers I drank. Like wow. Really awesome. That delicious meal was made even more unforgettable because of her kindness and hospitality. 

Not to pay back, but because we considered her a friend, we did favor some of our coverage on her, and it's just something that I've done when I see her in an event. I make sure I get a good hand with her in it --- hopefully she wins it or plays it well --- and then of course put a picture of her along with the post. She did well in that series and made final table and all, so it wasn't her not to write about her success at that time. I remember she even brought her mother to the hotel ballroom of the Pullman Grand Hotel to show her what she does for work.

She mentioned at one time that her parents - being Asian - were really very approving of her career choice. Gambling as a woman and all. But she was set to make the final table and I had the chance to meet her mother, tell her mom how kind and talented she is and be really happy for Sarah. It must've been a moment for her.

Following that series, the next time that I ran into her was in APT Taipei 2026 over a year since that first meeting. Nice to know that we remembered each other, shared a few pleasantries and then we went off to do our business - me on the reporting side and her on the felt.

Of course, I naturally went to write about her. And when I write, I try to include some earlier achievements of the players to give some poker background. When I searched her Hendonmob, I discovered that she won the Main Event during the UK Poker Championships by GG Poker. Like WOW! That's some pretty serious talent!

I congratulated her, included that bit about her championship when I introduce her in my reports and well, let's just say I am more than a little bias. Hahahaha. But not that bias. I did catch her bust out in one of the events where her set got outdrawn by a straight draw. Her opponent bought the river when she shoved. She did it all right, but as they say... that's poker.

Anyway, I think that was the last I saw her... storming out of the venue, almost taking Peter Kiem's jacket with her. Hahaha.

I just ran into her here again in Ha Long Bay where she's playing again in the USOP Vietnam Ha Long Bay 2026. It was  great to catch up for 5 minutes, and then, of course I include her in my posts when I can. Not like a big stalker, but maybe the content for her helps her with exposure and I have writing material. Basic. That's how we do it anyway.

For the many times I've covered her or seen her hands, I've seen the usual play that you need to do to play well. And she has. She's a careful player and she knows how what to do in terms of what you're supposed to do in poker. Does that make sense? I mean, poker has a certain logic to it when you think about it and she's smart like that.

But then, there's this one time, where she floored me. Like I was literally amazed, wowed and my jaw really dropped.

UTG opened for 22,000. Lowjack joined in and Sarah defended her big blind.

Flop came As 2h Jd 

Check-check to Lowjack, who fired 25,000

Sarah called, UTG folded.

Turn came Ks. Both checked.

River came Qs. Sarah checked and Lowjack shoved all in, covering her stack.

She tanked. Intense tank. Not moving. Just thinking. It was so intense that the table chatter went quiet. If she got this wrong, it would mean her tournament life. One card to a straight. Three spades on the board. A whole bunch of over cards. Scary stuff.

Five time bank tokens later, she made the call.

Lowjack showed 5d 5c. She showed Ac 7s. Pair of aces enough to win it. WHAT A FUCKING CALL! I was impressed. The table was impressed. The lowjack dude could do nothing but tap the table nice call. She gave me goosebumps. My mad respect for her even got crazier. Now I know why she's a champion. I think I fell in love. LOL.

The Intensity Of This Before The Call

So the chips were shipped. She doubled. Fixed her stack. Of course, as a media reporter I really can't show bias or favoritism, so I just kinda stood there at a distance and waited to be acknowledged. When she finally turned my way for a second, I just mouthed out "WOW! What a call!" She smiled. And I went off to write about one of the best things I witnessed on a poker table.

Thank you, Sarah, for that privilege. 

You can read about it HERE.

Anyway, she didn't make it that deep. I was hoping to find her at the final table. I didn't get to see her much in the following days. In the Mini Main Event, she jumped in late after winning a seat via the satellite, busted, then ended up firing a full bullet. That was our last convo, then I didn't see her because I was covering flights she wasn't in. Hoping to still run into her at the ongoing Championship event and the upcoming Main Event.

But anyway, just wanted to write about this and honor Sarah as an awesome person - from the first meal she treated when we met to the privilege of seeing her do something awesome on a poker table.

Cheers, my friend! All the best!