Jan Sorensen

Jan Vang Sørensen was born as Jan Vang Hansen around 1960 in Odense, Denmark. He legally changed his surname from Hansen (his father's surname) to Sørensen (his mother's maiden name) between 2002 and 2005. Before turning to poker, Sørensen played professional football for Odense BK in the Danish Superliga. An off-field knee injury at age 30 ended his football career, but during his travels as a footballer he learned to play poker, which later became his profession.

Sørensen first cashed at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 1995, finishing 16th in a Seven-Card Stud tournament. In 1998, he won a limit seven-card stud event in Dortmund, Germany, earning DM125,000. He continued to build his reputation as a seven-card stud specialist, though he also demonstrated skill in other variants.

At the 2002 WSOP, Sørensen captured his first bracelet in the $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha event. He defeated Brent Carter heads-up to claim the $185,000 first prize. Three years later, at the 2005 WSOP, he won his second bracelet in the $5,000 Seven Card Stud event, earning $293,275. In that final hand, Sørensen held (3♥ 9♦) 9♥ 7♥ 8♥ 7♦ (9♠) against Keith Sexton's (8♣ K♠) K♦ 3♠ 2♠ J♠ (6♣). His best WSOP Main Event finish came in 2004, placing 182nd. He also cashed in the 2007 Main Event, finishing 602nd. Overall, Sørensen has 12 WSOP money finishes.

Beyond the WSOP, Sørensen has enjoyed success on other major tours. In 2008, he won the Master Classics of Poker in Amsterdam, earning €623,100 (approximately US$800,972). This remains his largest live cash. On the World Poker Tour, he made a final table appearance at the 2005 Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship, finishing 5th at a table that included Minh Ly, Dan Harrington, and Gavin Smith. Sørensen also represented Denmark in the Poker Nations Cup. As of 2023, his total live tournament winnings exceed $2,260,000, placing him 8th on the Denmark all-time money list.

Sørensen is widely considered a seven-card stud specialist, but his WSOP bracelet in Pot Limit Omaha and deep runs in No Limit Hold'em events show versatility. He is known for patient, disciplined play and capitalizing on position. In the Danish poker community, he is respected for his longevity and consistent results across two decades of high-level tournament poker.

Sørensen started playing football at the age of 18 and soon played for Odense BK in the Danish Superliga, as well as other clubs. At age 30, an off-field knee injury ended his playing career.

as of 2023 Jan Sørensen's total live tournament winnings are $2,264,165. He has achieved a best rank of 169th on the all-time money list and crossed the $2,000,000 milestone in live earnings. He stands 8th on the Denmark all-time money list.