Born “Thien” Phan, Tim Phan grew up learning to play poker from his mother, who played often. His family, which included nine siblings, ran a family restaurant in Westminster, California. After playing poker for years with family and friends, Phan took his game to the Bicycle Casino. He quickly climbed the ranks and began playing high-stakes cash games. By that time, he was married to his middle-school sweetheart and had three children. Phan supported his family through playing poker.

When he started playing tournaments, he didn’t start winning immediately. Like cash games, Phan eventually picked up the strategy and learned from his mistakes. His first six-digit cash and major tournament win was at the 2004 Grand Slam of Poker no-limit hold'em championship. He won a little more than $148,000. Following that win, Phan finished deep in the 2005 World Series of Poker main event. He picked up more than $300,000 for placing 24th. He continued blazing through tournaments and made his first World Poker Tour televised final table at the 2005 Legends of Poker. For fourth, Phan received almost $292,000. Phan’s biggest cash came at his second WPT final table, where he placed fifth in the season-ending $25,000 buy-in WPT Championship at Bellagio's Five-Star World Poker Classic, which was good for more than $464,000. Although Phan does not yet own a WSOP or WPT title, it seems it is only a matter of time for this talented poker player who has gotten himself in contention so many times.