Thor Hansen
When we think of top poker players from Norway there’s really just one name that springs to mind, and that’s ‘The’ Thor Hansen. Born in 1947 in Oslo, this Scandinavian player was so impressive in his homeland that by 1987 he’d been recruited to play Stateside in Las Vegas. He’s become a sort of godfather, or at least a legend to Scandinavian players who hope to rise in the game. He’s got a generous spirit and a warm personality, which is just the formula that makes for a great player in the WSOP. So far he’s won two WSOP bracelets, and since he shows no signs of retiring from the game it might only be a matter of time before he earns a third. One thing’s for sure, any accolade Thor Hansen receives is well deserved.
Thor Hansen
For any professional player, WSOP bracelet wins are among the highest achievements in the game of poker. Thor Hansen has two under his belt, from a long career around the final tables. His first bracelet win came way back in 1988 when he won the $5K Seven-Card Stud event to take home $158K. This was before the media really brought poker into the homes of the masses, and it established him as a major force to be reckoned with. The Norwegian’s second bracelet win came in 2002 when he won the $1.5K Deuce to Seven Lowball for $62,600. Whether or not he’ll be able to win a third remains to be seen. What’s not in doubt is his ability to do so.
Thor has played with people as famous as Larry Flynt, and he’s a real institution within the game. He resides with his wife in California and Las Vegas, Nevada. The famous poker player and broadcaster Eric Drache was best man at his wedding. Many young and not-so-young players cite him as an influence and a source of good advice about the game. Let’s hope he’s here for many years to come.
