Gus Hansen is thought to have lost at least $13.6 million playing online poker before taking a hiatus in 2014.
Gus Hansen gave an interview recently in which he discussed his return to the poker scene. After a hiatus from poker to pursue other games and other busines prospects, he appeared at an event in Monte Carlo.
At one time in the decade of the 2000’s, Gus Hansen was one fo the biggest names in professional poker. The Great Dane, as he is known, won millions of dollars on the World Poker Tour before his hiatus. His loose/aggressive style of play unsettled and befuddled even top opponents. Hansen was famous enough that People Magazine made him one of the 50 Sexiest Men in 2004.
Big One for One-Drop Extravaganza
Hansen was seen at the Big One for One Drop Extravaganza in Monte Carlo last month. Frank Op de Woerd of PokerNews asked Hansen about a possible return to poker, to which the Danish pro said, “I’ve been laying low. I really don’t think I’ve played a poker tournament for two years.
“I’ve been to Vegas once or twice and played side games, but I really haven’t played any tournaments. I’m actually thinking about getting into the swing of things and playing some tournaments later this year and next year.”
Gus Hansen’s Backgammon Career
Even before his poker career began in 1997, Gus Hansen had a long history in competitive games and sports. He was a notable backgammon player in the organized backgammon community. Before that, he was a skilled youth tennis player.
Besides being known as a bit of tour poker madman, he was known to make wild bets with other players. He even once bet on a boxing made with World Series of Poker Europe bracelet winner Theo Jorgensen. Gus Hansen made many TV appearances and eventually became an online poker ambassador on PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.
Online Poker Losses
Eventually, Gus Hansen‘s online poker career took a turn for the worse. He is speculated to have set the record for the biggest losses in online poker history, working as a house player for Full Tilt Poker. Some have estimated he lost as much as $13.6 million. Readers should not be too upset for the Great Dane, as his stake was paid by his promotional sponsor.
When Amaya bought FullTilt in 2014, it ended its sponsorship of professional poker players. Since then, Gus Hansen has taken a back seat in the poker world.
“Serious Online Losing”
He said in his PokerNews interview, “It’s no secret that I’ve had some serious online losing. It’s kind of old news. So you lick your wounds, clear your head and do some other stuff. But that doesn’t change the fact that I like to compete.”
In the time that he’s been away from poker, Gus Hansen got involved in the music industry in Denmark, though he claims that is best not discussed. Instead, he preferred to discuss a possible return to poker, either in tournament events or online gaming.
Appearances on Twitch?
During the course of the interview, Frank Op de Woerd asked whether Hansen would appear as a poker commentator or make appearances on Twitch. Hansen said he enjoyed his work as a poker commentator, saying his blunt-but-respectful style is an improvement over many more reverential broadcasters. He discussed how some commentators tout a final table as “the best in the world” when several of the players are mediocre.
When asked about Twitch appearances, Hansen admitted he was unfamiliar with the live streaming video platform. That is ironic, because Gus Hansen was one of the pioneers of live streaming poker videos a number of years back. When informed of the platform, Hansen said he would study the idea.
Gus Hansen Is “Rusty”
If Gus Hansen returns to tournament poker, it should be a treat for many new fans of card playing. Gus Hansen was one of the early stars of the Poker Boom, and seen by many as a poker madman. He claims to have played in cash games in Las Vegas roughly a year ago, but was “rusty”.
Those familiar only with his famous flame-out online might forget he once dominated live tables. The online poker game might not mesh with his style, given the fact many less disciplined or knowledgeable players call more than professionals who “know better” might. Live poker tournaments therefore might offer Gus Hansen his best chance to make an impact.
