Gus Hansen Poker Strategy

How does Gus Hansen Play Poker?

Gus Hansen

Gus Hansen aka The Great Dane is a Danish born poker pro that lives in Monaco. Gus has won the 2007 Aussie Millions and three World Poker Tour Titles. He is also an accomplished backgammon player. Gus is famous for his loose style of play which traps his opponents when he has a made hand. The following are clips from his video series - Advanced Strategies with Gus Hansen. A warning though these plays are only for players with a solid game and thousands of hands of experience. This style of play works well against tight players - where tight play works best against loose players while setting traps.

Basic Theory / Position / Starting Hands

The most important thing to start with in no-limit holdem is to have the basics correct.

Aggressive Play

First in the pot gives you the best chance to win it. This holds true especially late in tournaments with blinds and antes the pot can be quite large.

Pre-flop Strategy - Trouble Hands / Early Tournament Play

Starting hand advice on playing Ax off-suit and low and middle pairs.
Early tournament play and pot size - what to risk early in the tournament.

Limping In / Short Stacked Play

Short stacked play doesn't lend itself well to limping in. Larger stacks can limp with weaker hands to try to make a big score for cheap
How to handle situations when you are pot committed

How to Play When Nobody Hits the Flop

Small Stabs at the pot add up sometimes twice. 40% of the time nobody hits the flop.

Changing Gears / River Play

Betting mediocre hands on the river can bring value. Aggression with mediocre hands can tick off your opponent and give you good action when you have the nuts.

Trapping When You Make The Nuts

Watch out for Hollywooding of fake tells to through you off.
Mathematical rational to Gus's playing style. Your pot odds change according to the situation, and include unknowns such as what you think that your opponent holds.