In the next few weeks we'll be running a feature here on moneypokerbonus.com relating to the styles of different well-known players, and aspects of their game that others can perhaps learn from, if not put to use in their own game. I think studying the play of great players is one of the best ways to learn the many ways of attacking texas hold em, and so hopefully in this analysis, we'll get a little insight as to the methods behind some of those attacks. This week we'll start with the ever-notorious Gus 'The Great Dane' Hansen.
Gus Hansen has long been one of poker player's favorites to watch on television because of his ability to play any two cards, and his utter unpredictability at the table. We've all seen broadcasts where Gus has made some seemingly sick plays that are nearly unheard of and almost donkish, making sick calls even when he knows he's behind, like this one from World Poker Tour Bad Boys edition:
This kind of clip makes you wonder if the guy is crazy, but obviously he knows what he's doing. His tournament record speaks for itself, including a win at last year's Aussie Millions main event, multiple WPT event wins, and his deep run into the WSOP in 2007. So how does a pro player make this kind of call? The answer lies in a comment Hansen made during an interview on the WSOP broadcast last year helps shed some light. Hansen basically described his philosophy for starting hands as this: Any two cards have the same chance of making a pair on the flop, so it's just as likely that the flop will help me as it will help you.
So just play any two cards all the time? No, not really. But Gus's talent is in putting pressure on his opponent to make a decision. The odds are, against any random hand, the opponent will not be able to make a call for all of his tournament chips except for a small percentage of the time, and so continued pressure in the end will theoretically win a lot of pots. Though with his Gus reputation, it makes it a little bit harder to be taken seriously, and yet there's the added bonus of when he actually gets a big hand, he's probably going to get paid on it. Think about all the times you've been playing against someone you consider a 'donkey' and how when they actually showed up with a hand against you, you can hardly believe it. Players tend to overplay their hands against players like Gus, which is a supreme advantage in the long run. Not to mention the fact that a lot of the time the guy actually plays really well, and uses his what's expected of him to his advantage: which is a testament to the value of advertising wildness and then playing strong.
So if there's anything we can take from Mr. Hansen, it's the application of pressure, as well as the idea that normal 'made' starting hands are not necessarily the way to the bank.
That said, here's some more Hansen videos to observe 'the donk' in some of his finer moments:
