Thor Harald Hansen was a Norwegian professional poker player known for a long international career in tournaments and high-stakes cash games. Born in Oslo, he became one of Norway's best-known figures in poker and won praise from peers for his skill across several poker variants. Hansen combined tournament success with a steady presence in elite cash-game circles and was widely regarded as an elder statesman of Scandinavian poker.
Career highlights
Hansen earned two World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets during a career that spanned decades. His first bracelet came in 1988 in Seven-Card Stud, and he later captured a second bracelet in 2002 in Deuce-to-Seven Lowball. Beyond those victories, he recorded numerous in-the-money finishes at the WSOP and other major events, and he remained active on the circuit well into the 2000s.
Notable events and recognition
- Two WSOP bracelets: 1988 (Seven-Card Stud) and 2002 (Deuce-to-Seven Lowball).
- Strong performance at the 2006 WSOP, where he cashed multiple times and finished second in the $3,000 Omaha Hi/Lo event.
- Reputation as a versatile player able to compete in mixed-game formats and high-stakes cash games.
In the mid-1990s Hansen attracted attention beyond the poker community when publisher Larry Flynt selected him to play on his behalf after meeting him at a Las Vegas game. The episode illustrated Hansen's standing among prominent gamblers and personalities of the era (Larry Flynt).
Legacy and influence
Hansen helped raise the profile of Norwegian poker internationally. He was frequently described as a respected veteran whose experience and steady temperament made him a role model for younger players from Scandinavia and elsewhere. His career showcased adaptability across variants and formats, a trait valued in the evolving world of professional poker.
Personal life and death: Thor Hansen was born in Oslo and spent long periods living and playing around the globe. He died in Los Angeles on 5 December 2018 after battling cancer, aged 71. Reports of his illness and passing noted the loss felt across the poker community and the many tributes from fellow professionals (cause of death).