Where Is Gus Hansen Now? The Highs, Lows, and Comeback of “The Great Dane”
The Early Days: Gus Hansen’s Meteoric Rise in Poker
Gus Hansen, also known as “The Great Dane,” captured the poker world’s attention in the early 2000s with his daring, unconventional style. Known for gutsy bluffs and unpredictable moves, Hansen quickly became a formidable player against whom even seasoned pros struggled to adapt.
His breakout came in 2002, clinching victory at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Five Diamond Classic and walking away with over $550,000. He followed up with a win at the L.A. Poker Classic, pocketing $530,000, and took the championship at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in 2004, adding $445,000 to his bankroll.
Image: YouTube
The momentum continued: in 2005, he won the Poker Superstars Invitational, defeating the likes of Johnny Chan, Phil Ivey, and Doyle Brunson for a $1,000,000 payday. Hansen’s biggest career win came in 2007 at the Aussie Millions Main Event, where he earned nearly $1.2 million, later chronicling his victory in the strategy book Every Hand Revealed.
In 2008, even after finishing second to David Chiu at the $25,000 WPT Championship, Hansen still pulled in $1,714,000—the largest cash of his career. He also captured a coveted WSOP bracelet in the 2010 High Roller Heads Up event in London. Over time, his live tournament earnings surpassed $10.2 million, placing him among poker’s all-time greats.
Hansen became a staple on televised poker series such as High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark, drawing fans with his aggressive play and fearless table presence.
Online Poker: Where Hansen Met His Match
While Gus Hansen excelled in live tournaments, his transition to online high-stakes cash games on platforms like Full Tilt Poker proved disastrous. Although his live strategy was aggressive and exploitative, this same style failed to produce similar results online.
Despite his willingness to challenge the most elite players in the virtual arena, Hansen’s online foray was marked by mounting losses. By 2014, he had reportedly lost over $20 million in online games—a staggering figure that cemented his reputation as one of the biggest online poker losers ever.
Meanwhile, his live tournament cashes dwindled, with his last major payout being a third-place finish at the 2012 Aussie Millions Challenge for $820,000. Facing this combination of poor online results and a dry spell in tournaments, Hansen quietly stepped back from the limelight.
A Pause from Poker and Life Beyond the Felt
Image: Instagram/therealgushansen
As online losses piled up, Hansen acknowledged the challenge posed by virtual poker, citing the lack of face-to-face interaction as a crucial difference. He also noted that consistently playing against top-tier competition substantially contributed to his losses.
Stepping away from the tables, Hansen rebuilt his life by exploring a more conventional career path as an accountant and revisiting his passion for backgammon. With a reputation as a skilled backgammon player, he sought out wealthy, less-experienced opponents for a steady side income.
But for fans familiar with his competitive nature, it was clear this “retirement” wouldn’t last forever. The thrill of outwitting opponents remained a crucial part of his identity, and poker’s call was simply too strong to ignore for long.
Image: Instagram/therealgushansen
Gus Hansen’s Resurgence: The Comeback Trail
Between 2014 and 2017, Gus Hansen became a rare sight in the poker world. With no recorded tournament cashes and sparse activity on social media, he appeared to be on an extended hiatus.
In 2017, Hansen surprised fans with a spirited return. Through social media posts—including a tweet announcing his arrival for the World Series of Poker and an upbeat Instagram video—he signaled his intent to re-enter the high-stakes scene.
Hansen’s focus shifted away from tournaments, historically his strength, toward elite cash games in Las Vegas, notably at Bobby’s Room. His Instagram account offered a behind-the-scenes look at some of the world’s largest private games, sharing glimpses of massive chip stacks, legendary bluffs, and marathon sessions with poker legends like Doyle Brunson, Dan Cates, and Patrik Antonius.
Image: Instagram/therealgushansen
Financial details of his high-stakes cash game results remain mostly speculative, with rumors swirling about mixed fortunes. Hansen himself occasionally shares updates, but precise figures are hard to come by.
Confirmed results since Hansen’s return to poker include just one notable tournament cash: a 689th-place finish in the 2019 WSOP Main Event that netted him $20,200. Outside the spotlight, his personal life has also evolved—Hansen recently became a father and has been considering a permanent move from Monaco back to Denmark.
The Road Ahead: Is “The Great Dane” Ready for a New Chapter?
As the live poker scene gradually returns to normal, fans speculate about Hansen’s future on the felt. With new family responsibilities, it’s possible that his globe-trotting days are behind him. Nevertheless, given his passion and resilience, it seems unlikely Hansen will ever walk away from the game entirely.
Whether he dials back his involvement or continues dueling at the game’s highest levels, Gus Hansen remains a living testament to poker’s enduring thrills and pitfalls. His career is a tale of breathtaking highs, humbling setbacks, and a relentless drive to compete—a dynamic presence that ensures poker’s “Great Dane” will always hold a special place in the game’s history.
