Brian Sorensen

Jan Vang Sørensen was born on May 14, 1955, in Odense, Denmark. Before his poker career, he was a professional footballer, playing as a striker for Odense BK and other clubs. He scored three goals in 11 appearances for the Danish national team and later managed clubs in Denmark and Portugal.

Sørensen transitioned to poker and recorded his first live cash at the 1995 World Series of Poker (WSOP), finishing 16th in a $2,500 Seven-Card Stud event for $3,500. He continued to build experience, winning a limit seven-card stud tournament in Dortmund in 1998.

Sørensen won his first WSOP bracelet in 2002, taking the $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha event for $185,000. He added a second bracelet in 2005 by winning the $5,000 Seven Card Stud event, earning $293,275 after defeating Keith Sexton heads-up. He also cashed in the WSOP Main Event multiple times, including finishes in 2004 (182nd) and 2007 (602nd).

In November 2008, Sørensen achieved his largest career cash by winning the €6,000 + 200 Main Event at the Master Classics of Poker in Amsterdam. He earned €623,100 (approximately $800,972) for the victory.

Sørensen also performed well on the World Poker Tour, finishing 5th in the 2005 Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship for $137,940. He had additional cashes in WPT and EPT events, and represented Denmark in the Poker Nations Cup. As of 2023, his total live tournament winnings exceeded $2,300,000.

After retiring from football, Sørensen lived in Tamworth, England, where he ran a pub. He passed away suddenly in February 2024 at the age of 68. The cause of death was not publicly disclosed.

Jan Vang Sørensen is remembered as one of Denmark's most accomplished poker players, with a career spanning over two decades. His two WSOP bracelets and a major title in Amsterdam solidify his place in poker history.