Joseph Hachem (pronounced Ha-Shem in Arabic) was born on November 3rd, 1966, in Labanon.
He is considered a top Lebanese-Australian poker player. At 1972, Hachem moved with his family to Melbourne, Australia, where he lives today. He is married to Jeanie, his high school sweetheart, and has four children ages 11-16.
Joe Hachem was a chiropractor before a rare blood disorder forced him to give up his Career. While taking the time off to consider his future, he started to play poker in local casinos and on the net. At the same time Hachem ran a small brokerage business in Pascoe Vale.
His Poker abilities improved rapidly as He has made two final tables in Australian No Limit Texas Hold'em events along with earning final table berths in Pot Limit Omaha and Pot Limit Texas Hold'em. Before the 2005 WSOP Joe Hachem was ranked 10th in the No limit Texas Hold'em event and collected $25,850. He succeeded to enhance his game even more, once he learned how to control his temper, emotions and excitement.
After Joe Hachem's friend won a seat playing on PokerStars, Hachem decided to join him for a trip to the United States and try the major league for himself.
Hachem fought his way through the massive tournament, one time even facing elimination after calling an all-in with pocket threes. With luck on his side he hit a three on the flop to give him a set and keep him alive. After Defeating Steve Dannenmann at the final stage of the tournament and outlasting 5,618 players, Joseph Hachem won the 2005 World series of Poker, took the bracelet and 7.5 million dollars. He is only the fourth non-American to ever win the WSOP. Unlike former WSOP champions, Joe did not qualify for the main event on the internet, he paid the full $10,000 buy-in.
Today Hachem, being the fourth World Series champion hopes his new life will manage to pay for more time with his family and give him more opportunities to play in the biggest tournaments in the world. He recently finished 2nd at the 2006 World Series of poker event and ended up winning the season five World Poker tour Doyle Brunson classic at the Bellagio at December 2006, earning over 2.1 million dollars. Joe Hachem also finished in 11th place at the 2008 PokerStars.com EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo, earning $159,943.
Joseph Hachem is, no doubt, one of the unique stars in the poker universe. Since his win at 2005, there has been a trebling of poker participation in Australian casinos and a global explosion in online play.
Although all that has been written above, Joseph Hachem reveals that his life is not dominated by poker. His newfound wealth has also given him the time to enjoy his other favorite activities: playing golf, eating a nice meal in a good restaurant, smoking a quality cigar in a nice bar and traveling with is family all round the world.
Joseph Hachem - Recent Tournament Placings
EPT Season 4, EPT Grand Final 11th €101,000
WPT Season 6, Bay 101 Shooting Star 20th $20,000
2007 Special, APPT Macau Main Event 8th $24,288
2007 WSOP, Event 52, No-Limit Hold'em w/re-buys 98th $4,840
WPT Season 5, Bellagio Five Diamond World Poker Classic 1st $2,182,075
2006 WSOP, Event 39, No-Limit Texas Hold'em Championship 238th $42,882
2006 WSOP, Event 29, Pot-Limit Hold'em 4th $90,482
2006 WSOP, Event 18, Pot-Limit Hold'em 15th $9,664
2006 WSOP, Event 5, No-Limit Hold'em Short-Handed, 6/table 2nd $256,800
2005 WSOP, Event 42, No-Limit Hold'em Championship 1st $7,500,000
2005 WSOP, Event 37, $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em w/Re-buys 10th $25,850
Joseph Hachem Stats
Cashes 11
Total Winnings $10,257,881
First Place Finishes 2
WSOP Bracelets 1
