Joseph Hachem
Who can forget the “Aussie,
Aussie Aussie…” cheers from the 2005 WSOP? They came
from the Australians in the stands cheering on fellow
countryman Joseph Hachem all the way to the win. Hachem
beat out a record 5,618 other players in the 2005 World
Series of Poker Main Event to bank an astonishing $7.5
million and become poker’s latest World Champion. The
final hand, in which he beat out happy-go-lucky amateur
Steve Dannenmann, went down with Hachem flopping a
straight with 7-3 and a board of 4-5-6. Dannenmann held
A-3 and hit an Ace on the turn. Dannenmann ended up
all-in and was ensured of second place when a 4 fell on
the river.
Hachem was actually born in Lebanon in 1966 but his
family emigrated to Australia in 1972. He still lives
just outside of Melbourne with his wife and two kids.
Even though he has wanted to become a professional
player in the past, he has withheld that desire to stay
with his family. Hachem opened up a small mortgage
banking business and played poker on the side to
supplement his salary. In 2005, Hachem got permission
from his wife to enter the Main Event and fronted the
full $10,000 buy-in rather than winning a satellite.
After his win, Hachem was picked up by Poker Stars where
he regularly played online before his World Series win.
Later in 2005 and 2006, Hachem continued on the
tournament circuit when his 4 kids were off from school
and he could take his family with him. He has achieved
strong finishes in most of the events he’s entered and
has shown the poker world that he is a consistent
winner. The Australian has also been proud of the
explosion he’s helped to fuel for poker in his home
country. Joseph Hachem seems like a class-act
professional who is grateful for the win but still
remains committed to his family.
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