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you think he'll be hurtin?
1
Australian Wins World Series of Poker
By ADAM GOLDMAN, Associated Press Writer
Saturday, July 16, 2005
(07-16) 08:51 PDT LAS VEGAS, (AP) --
Australian Joseph Hachem prevailed in a colossal dual Saturday at the World Series of Poker's main event, winning $7.5 million and snatching the game's greatest crown in the longest final table in the tournament's history.
Only six hands into the two-man battle at the end, Hachem eliminated Steven Dannenmann of Severn, Md., when he flopped a seven-high straight.
When it was clear Hachem had won, his fans in the room erupted into "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!" Hachem immediately embraced Dannenmann, wrapped himself in an Australian flag and shouted: "Thank you, America."
Hachem's victory was astonishing because he had been nursing a short stack for 11 1/2 hours, saving his chips for the right moment and avoiding confrontations that could cost him a chance at the 36th annual no-limit Texas Hold 'em le.
"I never gave up," he said.
The 39-year-old Australian moved with his family from his native Lebanon in 1972 and gave up a 13-year chiropractic career three years ago to play poker for a living.
Nearly 14 hours into the round of plodding and seemingly interminable poker, Hachem pounced, bringing the battle to a decisive end about an hour after sunrise.
The final play unfolded slowly as Dannenmann raised before the flop with Hachem calling. The dealer revealed a six-five-four flop and Hachem checked. Dannenmann bet another $700,000 and then Hachem raised to $1.7 million.
The turn card was an ace and Hachem threw another $2 million into the pot. Dannenmann took his time raising to $5 million and Hachem went all-in with more than $30 million, moving into a high-stakes gear that can either save or break a gambler.
Dannenmann called instantly and then Hachem produced a seven and three against Dannenmann's ace-three. Dannenmann couldn't catch a seven on the river to tie the pot.
Dannenmann said his top priority was to have a good time. He even carried around a small sheet of paper with a list of things he should remember. Two of them were "have fun" and "nothing to lose."
Toward the end of the round, Dannenmann, a 38-year-old accountant and mortgage banker, said he just wanted to finish the match.
"I got tired," he said. "I was bored of it. I was trying to make moves."
With the bundles of cash, Hachem also won the coveted white gold and diamond bracelet. It's the last time the event will be held at Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel, where cowboy Benny Binion started the World Series in 1970.
Like Chris Moneymaker in 2003 and Greg Raymer last year, Hachem won in his first World Series, likely changing his life forever.
"A million dollars changes my life, let alone $7.5 million," he said. "It changes everything. I can look after my family, my mum, my kids."
The final group of nine emerged from a field of 5,619 gamblers. They had survived eight days of mind-numbing poker, overcoming unlucky cards, bad beats and Darth Vaderesque stares at the Rio hotel-casino and Binion's.
When the first cards were dealt Friday, each player was capable of winning if he was willing to make some of the toughest calls of his life.
After Tex Barch was eliminated in a monster three-way pot, Hachem and Dannenmann found themselves heads up. Hachem was in command of $39.9 million and Dannenman had $16.3 million.
To get to that point, the pair had to outlast seven other men — none of whom wanted to go quietly.
Everyone who began the day at the table was guaranteed at least $1 million.
Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, a well-known professional player who came in sixth in 2001 and 87th last year, had been considered a favorite but was the first to go. He had no regrets.
"I played the six best days of poker in my life," Matusow said. "I'm going to bed happy."
Penn law student Brad Kondracki finished eighth and Daniel Bergsdorf, a Swedish truck driver, was seventh. Scott Lazar was sixth, Irishman Andrew Black took fifth and Aaron Kanter wrapped up fourth, followed by Barch.
About 13 hours into the round, officials dumped the first-place prize in thick stacks of hundreds on a table near the players, causing shouts of "Oh, my God!" For the first time in the tournament, the remaining gamblers saw their elusive goal — guarded by security men with shotguns.
When Hachem finally confronted the mountain of cash, he asked: "Is this all mine?"
Yes.
you think he'll be hurtin?
Only if he loses it all in his next poker game.
I wonder how far that fat that won it last year got eventually?
Moneymaker never defended his le...tookt he money and ran!
Moneymaker got knocked out on the first table in his poker defense. If you watch his style, he is super aggressive - which is a super win/lose situation. It worked out for him a couple years ago, but in the long haul, he just doesnt have the skills honed to consistantly hang with the guys like Phil Ivey, Scottie Nguyen, Johnny Chan, Chris Furgeson, Dan Harrington, Daniel Negreanu and Phil muth.I wonder how far that fat that won it last year got eventually?
Moneymaker never defended his le...tookt he money and ran!
Money's mark on the game was bringing it to everyone. His great win from a $40 buyin to the bracelet is one of the huge reasons poker has blown up as big as it has.
yet these guys havent won the WS in years.Phil Ivey, Scottie Nguyen, Johnny Chan, Chris Furgeson, Dan Harrington, Daniel Negreanu and Phil muth
Maybe that idea is wrong.
Phil Ivey won 3 WSOP events in 2002. Only Ivey, muth and Ted Forrest have done that before.
Scottie Nguyen won a bracelet in 01.
Texas Dolly won his last WSOP event in 2003.
Since 1989, Phil muth has won 9 WSOP bracelets, including 2 in 2003.
Chris Furgeson has 5 les, all since 2000.
Dan Negreanu won 4.5mm in 2004 and was named player of the year by CardPlayer and the WSOP. He won the limit holdem event at the 2004 WSOP.
Johnny Chan has 4 bracelets since 2000.
For those of you that dont know, when you win a WSOP event, you get a gold bracelet as well as the cash pot. I guess they arent all washed up like TPark says after all.
World Series of Poker
Earnings for the final table
Joseph Hachem, First Place, $7.5 million.
Steven Dannenmann, Second Place, $4.25 million.
Tex Barch, Third Place, $2.5 million.
Aaron Kanter, Fourth Place, $2 million.
Andrew Black, Fifth Place, $1.75 million.
Scott Lazar, Sixth Place, $1.5 million.
Daniel Bergsdorf, Seventh Place, $1.3 million.
Brad Kondracki, Eighth Place, $1.15 million.
Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, Ninth Place, $1 million
I love a good game of poker, but it slays me how people fawn over media-concocted poker personalities.
I'd rather watch soccer.
all you have to do to win at poker is either get Really fat or buy some sunglasses with holographic lenses so that you can stare at your opponent and all they see is the hologram
What a boring thing to watch on TV!
How can this be shown on every damn channel is something I will never understand.
The same with ESPN showing the strongest man in the world, drag races, fishing and hunting.
PUUUAAAAAJJJJJ!
Last edited by smeagol; 07-17-2005 at 08:15 PM.
I agree...I can't take that either...
who the watches fishing and hunting??? I can understand drag racing and strongest man....but hunting???
what do you like?
poker is awesome... i'll pass on the drag racing and fishing though... hunting can be interesting, and strong man comps can be fine too..
Basketball, soccer, tennis, rugby.
To a lesser extent, NFL, field hockey, voley.
i'm down at my secret gun range, honing my shooting skills
Yes ladies and gentlemen, this guy is an idiot.
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