Sorry for digging up old posts - just find it interesting XD

I guess the answer hinges on your definition of a "top pro" poker player, or even a "good" poker player.

I don't think anyone can doubt Gus's ability to play the game, and play it very well. You can pull up as many hands where he has got it in majorly bad and say "look" - but I always go off of a quote which says (paraphrasing) "Any play can look like sheer brilliance on one level, and utter stupidity on another".

Gus has devised an approach to these tournaments which has a proven track record. I believe its really a case of Gus making his own luck in these instances, as compared just getting lucky.

However, poker ability alone does not make you a top-tier player. Obviously one of the biggest characteristics of a top poker player is their bankroll management. So many players with great poker ability will never be able to be called great themselves because of these short-comings in bankroll management (Mike Matusow, TJ Cloutier, Gus Hansen to name a few).

So, I wouldn't call him a top pro, but thats probably not because of his poker ability. All imo of course XD