In poker, other than filling out the registration form, paying your entry fee and proving who you are before you sit in at a professional poker tournament, a lot of players (at least this is the impression we often get watching poker events on TV) happily hide behind sunglasses and under baseball caps – not really the best way to make yourself unique and stand out for yourself. Some players will tell you that's just part of the game, and that you need to be prepared for "faceless" opponents when you take a seat at the table these days.
Phong Ly doesn't really need the poker garb, he might tell you, when he sits down to make a name for himself at the tables. He would be happy if you just pronounce his name correctly. But Phong throws us a curveball in this "name for fame" game by preferring to be called "Mark." Go figure. Despite his best efforts in confusion, however unintentional it may be, Phong is making a name for himself with recent success, like the second place finish at the 2006 World Series of Poker in Event 2.
Ly, based in Los Angeles, California, in fact does like to wear hats, too. Perhaps Phong is trying to "lay low" or under the poker fame radar, but that shouldn't last too long considering he wants to shoot for a bracelet at the 2008 WSOP, if given the chance.
