Gus Hansen
Gustav Hansen, commonly known as Gus, entered the world on February 13th, 1974, just outside Copenhagen in the beautiful country of Denmark. Currently residing in the glamorous city of Monte Carlo, Monaco, he has truly embraced the jet-setting lifestyle. It was in 1997, at the ripe age of 30, that Gus decided to take the plunge into the exhilarating world of professional poker. Prior to his poker pursuits, he had already proven himself as a formidable force on the tennis court, garnering championship titles, and had also showcased his remarkable skills as a world-class backgammon player. Numbers and games of strategy have always held a special place in his heart. Driven by the dream of becoming a professional backgammon player, he eventually made his way to the bustling streets of New York City. However, faced with a shortage of players and the necessary funds to support his ambitions, Hansen made a fateful switch to the realm of poker.
Early career
Described as "chaotic," his approach to poker has proven him to be a cold-blooded, calculating poker machine. Starting his poker journey at the Ocean View Card Room in 1993 as an exchange student at UC Santa Cruz, Hansen participated in his first World Series of Poker event in 1996, but was eliminated on the very first day. This prompted him to embark on intense training. It was in 2002 at The Five Diamond World Poker Classic in Las Vegas where he experienced his first professional breakthrough. Despite losing the first hand, he managed to reach his first WSOP final table in 2006. His highest WSOP finish came in 2007, securing 61st place and walking away with $154,194.
| Land | Professional since | Favorite games | Bracelets | Highest profit | total profits | Top Earnings Ranking (2023) | Global Poker Index (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 1997 | Texas Hold'em | 1 | 1.714.800 $ | 10.258.051 $ | 54 | - |
| Hometown: | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Interesting facts: | He is known as "The Great Dane" and he is an exceptional backgammon player on a global level. |
| Key moments in poker: | In 2004, they were welcomed into the prestigious WPT Hall of Fame. In 2006, they achieved their first ever WSOP-Final Table. And finally, in 2010, they secured their very first WSOP-Bracelet. |
| Number of WSOP bracelets: | One |
| WPT/EPT Winnings: | Three |
| Total tournament winnings: | $ 10.258.053 |
titles and achievements
In 2010, Hansen secured his inaugural WSOP bracelet at the WSOPE's intense No Limit Hold'em High Roller Heads-Up Event. Setting a remarkable precedent, Hansen became the first player in World Poker Tour history to triumph in three consecutive open tournaments (2002, 2003, and 2004). Throughout his career on the WPT circuit, he amassed an impressive $4,086,782 in prize winnings.
Despite sitting at the final table in 2004 and securing two cash prizes from the event, Hansen has yet to claim a European Poker Tour title.
Apart from the poker table, he actively involves himself in various online platforms, such as Betfair Poker (formerly known as Pokerchamps.com, which was sold for $15,000,000 in 2005), GusHansenTV (a complimentary online poker channel), and ThePlayr.com (a forum website covering topics like poker strategy, sold in 2008). Lyle Stuart Kensington published his book titled Every Hand Revealed in 2008.
Despite currently ranking 15th on the All Time Money List, Hansen has had a tumultuous relationship with money at times. It is rumored that in October 2010, he lost a staggering $1.5 million in just one week while playing Full Tilt Poker online. Throughout his entire online poker career, he is said to have witnessed a total of $10.5 million going down the drain.
In 2004, he was named one of the 50 Sexiest Men Alive by People Magazine, solidifying his status as a heartthrob.
