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sexiest card shark
GUS HANSEN
AGE: 30
STATUS: Single
CLAIM TO FAME: Known as "The Great Dane" on the Travel
Channel's World Poker Tour, the Copenhagen-born card champ has won
three tour events and ranks as one of the most aggressive no-limit
players in the game.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE POKER FACE: Hansen, who works out daily and
dresses in black Hugo Boss jeans, "is an anomaly" among men who sit
at poker tables for hours on end, says actress Mimi Rogers, a
tournament-level player. "HE'S INCREDIBLY SMART AND BUFF. COMBINED
WITH THE DANISH ACCENT, IT'S PRETTY ENTICING. And there's an element
of unpredictability that makes him sexy. He's a dangerous player."
SHARING THE POT: With winnings racked up over seven years as
a pro, Hansen bought homes for his grandmother, mother and sister.
"I'm not big into gifts on holidays," he says. "I like to give
presents when the situation arises." |
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"I was born in 1974 just
outside of Copenhagen, Denmark and grew up playing a lot of
sports, especially tennis.
 I
was always fascinated by numbers and math. I was introduced
to backgammon and really
took to it. I practiced
intensively until I was ready to test my skills around the
world.
I ended up in New York, touring backgammon and gin rummy
clubs, and hanging out with guys like Huckleberry Seed
and Phil Laak. It was during this time that I was
introduced to various types of poker, including Stud games.
I played my first World Series of Poker in 1996 but,
looking back, I had absolutely no chance of winning, as I
had never really played No-Limit Hold 'em before then. After
being knocked out on the first day, I decided to start
practicing more, testing new plays and experimenting with
different styles. Experimentation and mixing-up my style has
been part of my game ever since.
 By
1998, I found myself playing more poker than backgammon,
and making more frequent trips to Las Vegas.
When the World Poker Tour kicked off in 2002, I had
developed a loose, aggressive style that immediately paid
off, both in terms of money and recognition.
When not playing tournament poker, I am a regular
participant in the "Big Game" at the Bellagio battling it
out in as many as 13 different poker games with players such
as Phil Ivey, Chip Reese, Doyle Brunson, Barry
Greenstein, and David Benyamine.
Online, I often play high-limit Pot-Limit Omaha games or
Omaha 8/B Limit games on FullTiltPoker.com. On
occasion, I can also be found in low-stakes Limit Hold 'em
and Razz games, along with low-limit SNGs and some of
FullTiltPoker.com's larger tournaments.
 If
I'm not playing poker, there is a good chance you can find
me on the golf course, the tennis court, the squash court or
playing soccer with my friends, as I find that playing
sports and working out help me maintain the physical stamina
needed to be a successful poker player.
I also provide poker commentary for both Danish and American
television shows, and am always ready to play a high-stakes
backgammon match against anybody who would like to challenge
me.
I currently reside in Monte Carlo, Monaco where I spend a
lot of time with my family, including my niece Sally, who I
believe will be my first poker protégé." |
First
time I heard about Gus Hansen was while doing my Fram's corner, when I read about a Poker player who
decided to sponsor the Danish Squash Team.
