Does Gus Hansen Suck at Online Poker?

Gus Hansen’s luck takes a turn in 2009

He’s one of the most feared poker players in the world. His mix of aggression and randomness give players fits as they try to figure out whether he’s three-betting with pocket Kings or 7-2 offsuit. And his lifetime tournament winnings – $7.4 million and counting – prove he’s truly one of the great ones. And yet Gus Hansen is currently in the middle of a startling $6 million dollar down-swing since the start of the year.

Poker being poker, a player’s fortunes do tend to rise and fall with seeming randomness. Even the most skilled players can suffer through runs of bad cards, bad reads or just plain bad beats. But the extended run of losing for Hansen seems to indicate something else is afoot. And given that most of his losses come playing online poker, some have hinted that it’s his online strategy that’s losing him money.

Back in March of this year, this conversation wouldn’t be happening. He was up over $3 million, mostly through playing high-limit Pot Limit and Mixed Limit Omaha. But that’s when the great Dane’s leash started feeling a little tighter. By October, that $3 million up turned into $3 million down, representing a swing of $6 million bucks. Opponents started flocking to any table where he was playing, and some started questioning his strategy.

He got attention, and not good attention, for his habit of buying in at a relatively low amount – well, low for the high-stakes tables he was frequenting – then waiting for good cards and pushing all-in. No bluffing, no subtlety, just standard short-stack desperation poker. And for those who have enjoyed watching Hansen play over the years, that seems like a strange tactic for the skilled player.

Only time will tell if Hansen will turn things around in his online game, and whether his lack of success will start to bleed over into his live tournament play. It hasn’t been a great year for him there either, with only a couple of low six-figure winnings in 2009. That’s pretty good for most players, but not for someone with Hansen’s skill and savvy.