Joe Hachem
(he is part of PokerStars Pro Team)
Originally from Lebanon, Joe Hachem moved to Australia in the 1970’s and built a career as a chiropractor. Unfortunately, he developed a medical condition that affected the blood vessels in his hands, making it hard for him to continue with the physical demands of his job. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise however, as it left Joe with more time to play poker.
Having played casually for many years, Joe began entering live tournaments at the famous Crown Casino in Melbourne, around the year 2000. After a few years of small but consistent cash finishes, Joe headed to Las Vegas for the 2005 World Series, a trip that would change his life forever. He made a good start, finishing just short of the final table in the $1,000 No Limit Hold’em event, cashing for over $25,000 with a 10th place finish. A few days after, Joe would get to live out ever poker player’s dream. A field of over 5,000 players entered the Main Event that year, all hoping to take down what was set to be the biggest prize pool yet. After days of gruelling action, it was Joe who would emerge as the new world champion, taking home the gold bracelet and $7,500,000 in prize money.
Proving that his
World Series success
was far from a fluke,
Joe has had a
phenomenal amount of
success since. He
returned to the WSOP*
in 2006 and came
close to winning
another bracelet,
finishing 2nd in the
$2,500 Shorthanded
Hold’em event. He
also finished 4th in
the $2,500 Pot Limit
Hold’em event for a
further $90,482. Joe
rounded off the year
with a massive
victory at the WPT
Five Diamond World
Poker Classic,
earning $2,207,575
for his 1st place
finish. In April
2008, he almost made
the final table of
the PokerStars.com
EPT Monte Carlo
Grand Final, taking
away over $150,000
for finishing in
11th place.
When he does take a break from poker, Joe enjoys spending time with his wife and four kids. He’s also become a keen golfer, regularly hitting the greens with friends and fellow poker players.
In the space of just a few years, Joe has gone from amateur player to now being one of the biggest tournament earners of all time. Far from a one hit wonder, his World Series victory was just a taste of what was to come from Australia’s favourite poker export. Joe is a member of Team PokerStars Pro and plays online using the screen name ‘JoeHachem’.
For more information, visit www.joehachem.com.
Career Highlights
|
Event |
Date |
Position |
Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 WSOP $1,000 No Limit Hold’em |
July 2005 |
10th |
$25,850 |
|
2005 WSOP $10,000 Championship Main Event |
July 2005 |
1st |
$7,500,000 |
|
2006 WSOP $2,500 Shorthanded Hold’em |
July 2006 |
2nd |
$256,800 |
|
2006 WSOP $2,500 Pot Limit Hold’em |
July 2006 |
4th |
$90,482 |
|
WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic |
December 2006 |
1st |
$2,207,575 |
|
Poker After Dark ‘WSOP Champions II’ Episode |
June 2007 |
1st |
$120,000 |
|
APPT Macau $2,500 No Limit Hold’em |
November 2007 |
8th |
$24,288 |
|
EPT €10,000 Monte Carlo Grand Final |
April 2008 |
11th |
$161,191 |