Joseph Hachem defeated 5618 players, including the second place finisher Steve Dannenmann, to win the main event at the 2005 World Series of Poker. His victory earned him a record breaking $7.5 million dollars.
Joe Hachem who now lives with his family in Melbourne, Australia originated from The Lebanon. There was a big question of tax payable when Joe won the WSOP main event and a prize pool of $7,500,000 the question was, 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. He mainly played online poker and did occassionaly go to The Crown Casino in Melbourne, but whether it was decided he was offically a professional poker player and taxed accordingly remains unknown.
PokerPages were very honored to be invited to report from inside the closed doors of the final table at downtown Binions Horseshoe, and it was amazing to see how many fellow Australians were there to see Joe Hachem become the 2005 WSOP Champion. Our very own Chris Newton from Australia who is a good friend of Chris's was reporting for PokerPages so you can just imagine his delight when his good friend won. Chris told us that Joe was a true family man and that this win would be used to benefit his family first and foremost.