Joe Hachem
Born in Lebanon in 1966 as the eldest of three sons, Hachem (pronounced Hashem) and his family relocated to Melbourne, Australia when he was six years old. During his school years, he crossed paths with his future wife, and it was during his youth that he first dabbled in the game of poker for amusement. Back then, Joe never entertained the idea of pursuing a professional poker career.
In his early life in Australia, Joe faced a challenging upbringing. As a young boy, he experienced the tragic loss of his middle brother in a car accident, and his parents went through a separation when he was just thirteen. With only one uncle looking out for him, Joe quickly found himself in a position where he had to become the main provider for his family. Consequently, he took on a multitude of part-time jobs at a very young age. His resume boasts a variety of roles, ranging from meat packer to male model during his teenage years. Eventually, he settled as a chiropractor but continued to hone his poker skills in the casinos of Melbourne.
Due to a blood disorder that affected his hands, he was forced to abandon his chosen profession. Consequently, he became a mortgage broker. In an effort to supplement his income, he started playing poker more seriously. As he continued to win bigger sums, it dawned on him that he could potentially earn more money at the poker table than from selling mortgages.
| Land | Professional since | Favorite games | Bracelets | Highest profit | total profits | 2023 All-Time Money List | Global Poker Index (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2003 | All-rounder | 1 | 7.500.000 $ | 12.245.524 $ | 33 | 1.657 |
| Hometown: | Melbourne, Australia |
| Interesting facts: | Joe is an avid golfer. He used to work as a licensed chiropractor but had to give up this profession due to health reasons. |
| Key moments in poker: | For many years, Hachem enjoyed playing poker in a friendly setting. Eventually, he made the fateful decision to travel to Las Vegas and give his best at the 2005 WSOP. There, he triumphed over 5000 players, securing a total prize money of $7,500,000 and earning the esteemed title of world champion. |
| Number of WSOP bracelets: | 1 |
| WPT/EPT Winnings: | 1 |
| Total tournament winnings: | $ 12.245.524 (Stand 2017) |
Victory at WSOP and Further Career
His victory at the 2005 WSOP event in Las Vegas opened the door for him to become a renowned poker star. It's almost as if he wouldn't have made the trip at all. His wife had changed her vacation plans, allowing him the opportunity to join his poker buddies in Melbourne and participate in the tournament. Hachem's winnings of $7,000,000 at the time rank among the highest in poker history. But shortly thereafter, he added to his success by securing the highest single win at the 2006 WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic, earning him $2,207,575.
The greatest Australian of all time
Events like these have made Hachem the highest-earning poker player in the history of the game in Australia. Joe is one of only five players who have won both the Main Event of the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour.
In 2009, Joe released his memoir entitled "Hand over the Sweetness," which became his renowned catchphrase. Down under, the poker pro and his loyal followers rejoice every pot with the exclamation "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!"
Joe continues to live in Melbourne with his wife Jeannie and four children.
