Over the decades, the WSOP has transformed from a small event in the back room of Binion's Horseshoe Casino on the Las Vegas Strip into a global phenomenon with hundreds of tournaments and thousands of players from every continent. While much has changed, from technology and rules to formats and television broadcasts, certain elements have remained. The WSOP is still the place where history is made. And in this history, we find moments that have significantly influenced how poker is played, perceived, and taught. In this series, we will explore the most pivotal milestones in WSOP history. Moments that changed the rules, shattered social barriers, defined new eras, and turned unknowns into poker icons.
In the summer of 2005, thousands of players dreaming of poker immortality gathered once again in Las Vegas. The WSOP Main Event was grander than ever, with 5,619 participants. Among that crowd was one man whose name was foreign to most. Joe Hachem, a former chiropractor from Melbourne, Australia.
No one knew him; he wasn't anyone's favorite, yet he crafted one of WSOP's most memorable stories. After more than a week of intense play, with a whole nation behind him, Hachem bested champions, professionals, and amateurs, becoming the first Australian in history to win the WSOP Main Event. He took home $7.5 million and, more importantly, awakened Australia to poker. This article delves into how an unknown player became a national hero and wrote a new chapter in the book of legendary WSOP victories.
Unstoppable Even After WSOP: Joe Hachem's Successes at the Green Felt
While Joe Hachem will forever be etched in poker history as the first Australian to conquer the WSOP Main Event, his career didn't end when he rose as a champion in 2005. Hachem proved he wasn't just a "one-hit wonder." His subsequent results confirmed that he belonged among the world's poker elite.
The following year, he triumphed at the prestigious WPT Doyle Brunson North American Poker Classic, where he took home more than $2.2 million from a $15,000 buy-in tournament. He consistently demonstrated his skills on home turf during the Aussie Millions and in other WSOP events, regularly reaching final tables and finishing in the money (ITM).
By 2021, Hachem's total live tournament winnings had soared to over $12.7 million, firmly establishing him among the most successful players of his generation. His achievements show that his legendary win in 2005 was not merely a stroke of luck but a testament to strategy, discipline, and an extraordinary intuition for the game.
A Victory that Inspired an Entire Continent
When Joe Hachem won the WSOP Main Event bracelet in 2005, it wasn't just a personal triumph. It was a historic moment that forever changed the perception of poker in Australia and the world. During the height of the poker boom, he defeated a massive field of 5,619 players and emerged victorious in one of the most memorable hands of the final table. His 7 c 3 s, initially seen as a weak combination, miraculously turned into a straight on the flop, surprising American opponent Steve Dannenmann. A series of aggressive bets and dramatic raises concluded with an all-in, sealing Hachem's unforgettable story.
This victory was more than just about money; it became a symbol of hope and proof that even a relatively unknown player from the other side of the world could become a WSOP champion. From that moment, Hachem represented not only Australia but also a new generation of players who believed that the dream of a grand victory was within reach.
Double Major Titles and a Place Among the Elite
Joe Hachem's victory at the WPT Doyle Brunson North American Poker Classic in 2006 confirmed that his WSOP 2005 triumph was no fluke. In a heads-up battle against Jim Hanna, he positioned himself as the clear favorite after going all-in with A s 6 c. Hanna, holding Q c J c, called but was outmatched after the flop A c Q d 3 d. The turn 8 c and river 2 d didn't change the outcome, and Hachem claimed another major win, this time $2.2 million and a prestigious title in the WPT Main Tour.
With this, Hachem became one of only six players in history to secure titles from both the WSOP Main Event and WPT Main Tour. It’s a combination regarded among the most prestigious achievements in tournament poker. His ability to triumph in two different environments against elite competition highlights his versatility and determination. From a relatively unknown player from Melbourne, Hachem ascended to a global poker icon, leaving a legacy that fans still remember today.
The Australian Champion Who Changed the Game
Joe Hachem became a national hero after his WSOP 2005 victory. His win sparked a surge of interest in poker across Australia, with many considering him a pioneer of the Australian poker scene. The crowd of fans who supported him during the WSOP finale with the unforgettable chant "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!" created an atmosphere that world poker hadn't witnessed before.
In 2009, Hachem deservedly entered the Australian Poker Hall of Fame, and according to the Hendon Mob database, he remains the most successful Australian player of all time in tournament winnings. Even today, Joe Hachem is a regular at major tournaments, continuously representing Australian poker at the highest level.
Joe Hachem isn't just a WSOP Main Event winner; he is a symbol of Australian poker and proof that a determined, brave, and skilled player can change history. His 2005 victory ignited a poker boom in Australia, opened doors for a new generation of players, and showed the world that a champion can come from anywhere. From the WSOP to the WPT and the biggest poker stages, Hachem earned respect and admiration from both fans and professionals.
In the next installment of our World Series of Poker legends series, we'll explore more charismatic champions who forever changed the perception of players. Don’t miss these incredible stories!
Source: Pokernews, Upswingpoker, Wikimedia
