Winamax signs Gus Hansen

In a 46-second promotional video, three-time World Poker Tour (WPT) champion Gus Hansen has just been unveiled as the latest ambassador for french gambling company Winamax. The Danish poker legend will represent the site as part of the ‘pro team’ alongside Co-Owner Patrick Bruel and top players Adrian Mateos, Mustapha Kanit, Leo Margets, João Vieiro, Davidi Kitai, Gaëlle Baumann, Bruno Lopes, Pierre Calamusa, and Roman Lewis. 

the best team in the world”

Right out of the gate, Hansen complimented his new colleagues, calling them “the best team in the world.” Winamax certainly boasts an impressive roster of talent, the profile of which will be undoubtedly bolstered by this new signing. 

In the video, Hansen is optimistic that he can deliver a few surprises, saying he might ‘beat all the no limit hold-em specialists.’ Hansen might not consider himself to be among the elite No Limit Hold-em exponents but he has a wealth of experience with over $10m in live career tournament winnings. 

A decorated veteran

Hansen’s early career is filled with notable tournament results. In 2002, he famously won the Five Diamond World Poker Classic. In 2003, he took down the LA Poker Classic. In 2004, he was victorious at the PCA. In 2007, he won the Aussie Millions for AU$1.5m (US$980,000), a tournament which became the source material for his best-selling book ‘Every Hand Revealed.’ 

he won his first bracelet in the Highroller Heads-up event in London

The results kept coming for a man who seemed to be ubiquitous on poker television. In 2008, Hansen was runner-up to David Chiu in the $25,000 buy-in WPT in Las Vegas. In 2010, he won his first bracelet in the Highroller Heads-up event in London. Layer that year, he won Season 9 of The Poker Million. 

Hansen has kept a relatively low profile in poker since becoming a family man, playing a lot less, mostly in private cash games, making the occasional appearance at live tournaments and of course posting the now obligatory “it’s going to be a great Summer” tweets. 

Lots of live poker on the horizon

According to Winamax, the possibility of signing Hansen has been in the air for many years but the deal was sealed after he met with the team during the WPT World championships last December. “We thought it might be the right time,” said Hansen. “All the lights were green.” 

With the decision to join Winamax, Hansen has certainly signaled his intent to play more poker in the future. The next Winamax live stops are the SISMIX in Marrakech and WPO Bratislava, both of which he is intending to play. However, before those events, he will be patched up and playing in his old stomping ground at EPT Monte Carlo. 

he might have developed a different, more solid approach to the game

In interviews past, Hansen has talked about how he did a poor job taking into account his image as a loose and aggressive player at the tables. He admits to not adjusting to people’s perceived image of him. He has also acknowledged some tilt issues. One wonders, therefore, if, with the benefit of age and hindsight, he might have developed a different, more solid approach to the game. Time will tell for the Great Dane.