Hansen started playing poker at the Ocean View Card Room in Santa Cruz, California, while he was an exchange student at UC Santa Cruz. Hansen finished in the money in 150th place in the 2004 WSOP Main Event. In the 2006 Tournament of Champions, Hansen made a World Series of Poker final table, but lost on the very first hand with Ace King against a pair of 9s. In 2007, Hansen cashed in the $10,000 no limit Texas hold 'em championship, coming in 61st place out of 6,358 players, winning $154,194. In 2008, he came in 160th place out of 6,844 players to win a prize of $41,816.