Joe Hachem

Childhood

Joe Hachem was born on March 11, 1966, in Lebanon. At the age of six, his family relocated to Melbourne, Australia, where he grew up. Before becoming a poker pro, Hachem worked as a chiropractor for 13 years until a rare blood disorder affecting his hands forced him to reconsider his career.

In the mid-1990s, Hachem began playing poker more seriously, initially in local casinos and online. By the early 2000s, he was a regular at Melbourne’s Crown Casino, where he honed his skills before setting his sights on the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas.

Career

2005 WSOP Main Event Victory Hachem’s breakthrough came in 2005 when he entered the WSOP Main Event as a relative unknown. Outlasting 5,618 players, he claimed the $7.5 million first-place prize—the largest in poker history.

His victory was dramatic, particularly his final hand against Steve Dannenmann, where he won with 7♣ 3♠—one of the worst starting hands in Texas Hold’em—after flopping a straight. His iconic celebration, wrapped in an Australian flag, and his catchphrase, "Pass the sugar!", became legendary.

2006 World Poker Tour Win The following year, Hachem secured his first World Poker Tour (WPT) title at the Five Diamonds Poker Classic, earning $2.2 million. This made him one of only six players to win both a WSOP Main Event and a WPT championship.

Other Notable Achievements

• 2nd place in the 2006 WSOP
• 4th place in the **2006 WSOP
  
• Winner of NBC’s Poker After Dark: WSOP Champions II, defeating Johnny Chan heads-up ($120,000).
• 11th place in the 2008 PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final ($150,000+).

Inducted into the Australian Poker Hall of Fame (2009) with "Legend Status."

As of 2024, his total live tournament earnings exceed $12.9 million, ranking him among the top 35 highest-earning poker players of all time.

Personal life

Hachem has been married to his wife, Jeanie, since 1989, and they have four children—Anthony, Justine, Daniel, and James. Despite his poker success, he maintains a balanced life, running a mortgage company and enjoying golf in his free time.

He was a longtime ambassador for PokerStars (until 2011) and has been a vocal advocate for responsible gambling, emphasizing that poker can be a respectable profession.

Revenue

7.5 million WSOP win in 2005 remains one of the largest payouts in poker history. Combined with his WPTvictory (2.2 million) and numerous other amounts of cash, his estimated net worth is in the tens of millions.

Interesting facts

Matt Damon, star of Rounders, is a fan and has played poker with Hachem.

His 2005 WSOP win influenced the poker scenes in Casino Royale (2006), shifting from baccarat to Texas Hold’em.

He once played home games with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Daniel Craig.

A documentary, Pass the Sugar (2009), chronicles his 2005 WSOP victory.

Legacy

Joe Hachem’s impact on poker—especially in Australia—is immense. His 2005 WSOP win sparked a poker boom, inspiring countless players. Known for his discipline, patience, and sportsmanship, he remains a beloved figure in the poker community.