William Thorson

William Thorson is a Swedish poker player from Varberg, Sweden, who has gained significant recognition in the poker world with over $3.3 million in live tournament earnings. His most notable achievement came in July 2006 when he finished in 13th place at the 37th World Series of Poker, earning $907,128. Following this success, Thorson became a member of Team PokerStars Pro.

However, in 2012, he unexpectedly disappeared from the poker scene, leaving many fans and fellow players wondering about his whereabouts. After a couple of years, it was publicly confirmed in 2014 that Thorson had found a new path in life; he took a job at the Casa Blanca club in Barcelona, stepping away from poker entirely. Along with this career change, he also embraced a new faith and is now a practicing Muslim.

William Thorson: Early Life

William Thorson was born in 1983 and learned to play poker from his father. His poker journey took off during the golden age of the game, right after Chris Moneymaker’s famous 2003 WSOP victory. As he rose through the online ranks, he became a sponsored pro for PokerStars, specializing in multi-table tournaments (MTTs) and earning significant money under the screenname ‘William.’

In 2005, William began to play live poker more regularly, where he became well-known for his deep runs in the WSOP Main Event. Throughout his career, he has developed a preference for Omaha and has always admired Phil Ivey as his favorite poker player. Outside of poker, William enjoys watching horse racing and soccer, adding variety to his interests.

William Thorson: Live Tournament Participation

Thorson’s poker journey started in March 2003 when he played in a €280 Limit Texas Hold’em event at the Norwegian Championships in Oslo, finishing in 4th place and cashing $3,374.

Subsequently, in July 2006, Thorson participated in the $10,000 No Limit Texas Hold’em World Championship Event at the 37th World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, where he finished in 13th place and took home $907,128.

In addition, in October 2006, he competed in the €5,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event at the European Poker Tour in Dublin, securing 3rd place and earning $232,340.

Continuing his success, in April 2008, he entered the €4,700 + 300 No Limit Hold’em Main Event at the European Poker Tour in Sanremo, finishing 6th and cashing $222,127.

Furthermore, in July 2010, Thorson returned to the World Series of Poker, playing in the $10,000 World Championship No Limit Hold’em event, where he placed 22nd and earned $317,161.

In July 2011, he participated in the $10,000 + 80 Main Event at the Bellagio Cup VII in Las Vegas, finishing in 3rd place and cashing $288,350.

His final appearance was in July 2012, he took part in the $10,000 + 300 No Limit Hold’em event at the Bellagio Cup VIII, where he finished 15th and took home $14,360.

Conclusion

William Thorson’s remarkable poker career saw him rise to prominence with significant tournament successes, particularly highlighted by his 13th place finish at the 2006 WSOP, which earned him over $900,000. After a decade of competing at the highest levels, he chose to leave the poker scene behind in favor of a new life path in Barcelona, embracing both a different career and a new faith. His journey from a celebrated poker pro to a dedicated professional in a new field serves as a testament to the ever-evolving nature of personal and professional identity.