Joe Hachem
Joseph Hachem hit it really big after defeating 5618 players and winning the 2005 World Series of Poker $10,000 Main Event. This historical fete also catapulted him into top place among the top money makers in poker raking in $7.5 million top prize.
There was a big question of tax payable to he Australian government when Hachem won the WSOP main event, whether he was in fact a professional poker player, as it was mentioned in some press that he was a Chiropractor by trade, but due to ill health had given that up and taken up poker, while deciding what else he might do as a career.
Whatever was decided and how much taxes he paid was not revealed.
Before the WSOP Hachem mainly played online and occasionally visited the The Crown Casino in Melbourne to play. After his kids have grown and graduated college he decided it was time to play a little dangerously and headed to Vegas for the World Series. We know what happened there...
His winning streak did not stop there proving once and for all that this poker loving family man from Down Under is no flash in the pan.
Hachem frequents the tournament circuit usually finishing in the money. In January this year he finished 7th in the European Poker Tour - Scandinavian Open in Copenhagen. And in April placed 3rd in the 2006 Melbourne Texas Hold'em Championship Main Event.
He will definitely try to defend his title at the 2006 WSOP, though we know how difficult that would be. Expect more players to participate this year, especially those who like Hachem and the two champions before him (Chris Moneymaker, Greg Raymer) won their WSOP seats from satellite tournaments.
A year later, Hachem still leads the Top Money Winners in poker. He's at league with some of the best poker players today like Daniel Negreanu, Scotty Nguyen, Phil Hellmuth, and John Juanda.
Hachem is also endorsing online poker room, PokerStars, where he continues to play online poker.
