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Gus Hansen in profile - Poker Channel Exclusive

When Gustav Hansen of Denmark won the very first World Poker Tour title at the Five Diamond World Classic, nobody, not even Gus, could have predicted what happened next. Not only was this the first tournament cash and final table the ‘Great Dane’ ever made but almost everyone in the poker community who witnessed it assumed Gus was just some idiot who got lucky, with his seemingly reckless any two cards style.

What did follow was one of the most dominant, prolific and high octane poker careers ever that is showing no signs of losing any momentum. Look at his results database, nobody else in the world can list four WPT titles and two other WPT final tables as their first 6 tournament cashes, but Gus can. Soon enough the poker community saw that there was a method behind his madness, as the World Backgammon Champion applied a unique mathematical strategy to his poker game.

Gus has been on the winning end of many controversial and crazy poker hands, one which stands out is of course the infamous largest televised cash game pot ever (at the time) when he hit quad fives on the turn against the full boat of Daniel Negreanu, winning him a $575,700 pot on High Stakes Poker. There was also a hand at the WPT Bad Boys Invitational where he correctly put Antonio Esfandiari on a small pair in a massive pot, where he uttered the words; “Well I have ten high so I have to call” – fully aware his 10-8 offsuit was a strong enough hand to warrant the all in call.

The World Series of Poker has always been something of a bogey event for Gus who, until recently, struggled to cash in any of the events. He has since backed that up with several strong in the money finishes on the main events of both the WSOP and the WSOPE but no bracelet, yet. He has, however, won the Aussie Millions main event, which compelled him to write the jaw droppingly fascinating Every Hand Revealed book which charters his way to the title – it is a real must have for any serious poker player.

On top of over $7 million in tournament winnings, Gus is also a serious cash game player. He has had some legendary million dollar swings at the high stakes tables of Full Tilt Poker but is currently one of the biggest winners there. He is also a high stakes prop bet specialist and keeps himself in great shape for a number of sporting bets, including a long standing tennis bet with Patrik Antonius.

He may be the most exciting and uniquely talented poker player in the world and at just 34 still has the world at his feet, having been voted in People Magazines 50 Sexiest People and already being inducted into the WPT hall of fame. Never afraid to gamble for all his chips at any moment and being able to remain composed during some of the wildest swings endured by anyone, there will only ever be one Gus Hansen.

By Barry Carter - November 17th 2008

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