Andreas Krause

Andreas "Andy" Krause was born on 16 November 1967 in Meimsheim, Germany. He began playing football at the local club TSV Meimsheim and later moved to the youth division of VfR Heilbronn. In 1986, he joined the senior team of VfR Heilbronn, competing in the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg (third tier). After spells with FC Marbach, he signed with Bundesliga side Stuttgarter Kickers in 1991. Krause made his Bundesliga debut on 16 November 1991 against Borussia Mönchengladbach, coming on as a substitute. He went on to play nine league matches and two DFB-Pokal games for the club. Following Stuttgarter Kickers' relegation, he had a brief stint with 1. FC Pforzheim before retiring from professional football. During his playing days, he also studied sports and economics.

Krause discovered poker in 1998 and turned professional in 1999. In May 1999, he won the European Championship in Baden-Baden, taking first place in a No-Limit Hold'em event for nearly €50,000. The following year, he won a Seven Card Stud tournament in Las Vegas. His online poker nickname is "HahnimKorb", and he resides in Weinsberg, Germany. Krause quickly established himself on the live tournament circuit, consistently cashing in major events.

As of August 2023, Krause's total live tournament earnings amount to $2,532,813, placing him 1,055th on the all-time money list and 38th on the Germany all-time list. His best live cash came in an event where he won $415,780. He has 31 cashes at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), with his best Main Event finish being 110th in 2007. He has also cashed in European Poker Tour (EPT) events and the PartyPoker Poker Nations Cup (representing Germany). His best-ever all-time money list rank was 247th, and his Global Poker Index ranking is 3,980.

Krause is known for a tight-aggressive playing style, relying on disciplined hand selection and precise post-flop decisions. He excels at exploiting table dynamics and deep-stack play, often making accurate reads to extract maximum value or avoid costly traps. His approach emphasizes patience and bankroll management, avoiding unnecessary risks. In the poker community, he is often described as a "German grinder" for his consistent, steady earnings.

While Krause maintains a low-profile presence away from the felt, his longevity in the game speaks to his skill and adaptability. He continues to participate in live tournaments, particularly in Europe, and remains a respected figure among German poker players. His early success as a European champion paved the way for a generation of German grinders, and his football background adds a unique chapter to his story.

Krause's first major title came in 1999 at the European Poker Championship in Baden-Baden, where he won a No-Limit Hold'em event for nearly €50,000. The following year, he triumphed in a Seven Card Stud tournament in Las Vegas. Beyond these wins, he has recorded numerous top finishes in European events, including cashes at the EPT Barcelona and EPT Dortmund. His largest single cash of $415,780 came from a side event at the 2008 WSOP, where he finished runner-up. These victories solidified his reputation as a versatile player capable of winning in multiple poker variants.

Krause competes online under the screen name "HahnimKorb", a handle that has become recognizable in German poker circles. While his primary focus remains on live tournaments, he occasionally plays online high-stakes games, maintaining a selective approach. His nickname is a playful reference, though he rarely discusses its origin. His online activity, though less documented than his live results, contributes to his overall poker persona as a disciplined and elusive competitor.

Krause has represented Germany in international team events, most notably the PartyPoker Poker Nations Cup in 2008. Held in Cardiff, the tournament pitted national teams against each other. Krause was part of the German squad, competing alongside other top German players. Although Germany did not win the event, his participation highlighted his standing as one of the country's leading professionals at the time. This team competition added a collaborative dimension to his otherwise individual-focused career.