Gustav Hansen grew up learning to play games that would maximize his intellect, provide a challenge and improve his skills. He craved competition and mastered the game of backgammon, becoming a very young world-class player. Gus traveled to America to experience more of the world and to make money playing backgammon, as cash games in Denmark were too few. Gus settled temporarily in Santa Cruz, California and began to frequent the card rooms. Finding live poker games and a satisfying competitive spirit among the players, he quickly took to the game. When duty called, Gus moved back to Denmark where he chose to serve his country as a civil servant. Upon completion of his duties, he moved back to America, this time to New York, where he found high-dollar backgammon and gin games. Making an adequate living for himself in games of skill, Gus felt confident of his calling to a gaming career. Though he excelled at a number of games, poker was one that held some intrigue for him, especially with its popularity growing so rapidly.

Gus made the move to tournament play in 2002 by entering the Five-Diamond World Poker Classic. Playing against 146 opponents was an experiment that paid off when he captured the first WPT title, over $550,000 in prize money, and worldwide attention on the televised tournament. The world was only seeing the beginning of Gus' talent, as he went on to make four more WPT final tables and was invited to attend three WPT special events. Gus is no stranger to the biggest cash games in the world, traveling to compete in poker's top events. In 2006 he won the inaugural EPM and in 2007 he won the main event at the Aussie Millions.

Gus has not been able to escape the spotlight. Although, he remains modest about the fame, even after making the 2004 People Magazine '50 Sexiest People' list. As a growing reputation as one of the greatest professionals, Gus is known around the world for his intellect, his remarkable abilities in the games of backgammon and poker, and his unique personality. He is feared at the games he has mastered but adored by those who meet him away from the table.