Two’s firm, three’s a crowd. However for the Hachems, it’s only a household reunion.
Three members of Australia’s most well-known poker household made Day 3 of the 2026 Aussie Thousands and thousands Predominant Occasion: 2005 WSOP Predominant Occasion champion Joe Hachem, his brother Tony, and Joe’s son James.
A Household Affair
Whereas Joe’s different son Daniel, a 2024 WSOP runner-up, is overseas, his different son Anthony can also be in motion on the 2026 Aussie Thousands and thousands, with the Hachem presence on the Crown Melbourne a formidable one.
“It feels particular to have us all right here taking part in collectively”
“Daniel’s in Los Angeles in the intervening time,” Joe advised PokerNews. “He missed the Aussie Thousands and thousands, sadly. And Anthony’s now taking part in within the $2,500. It feels particular to have us all right here taking part in collectively.
“The entire plan for the Predominant Occasion was that if one Hachem would not get you one other Hachem will!”
For James, the stress of the Predominant Occasion is amplified by his seating task; he’s presently grinding at a desk neighboring his father’s. “He is actually sitting proper behind me,” James mentioned. “I am a little bit bit nervous as a result of if I make a unsuitable resolution, I do know he’ll come faucet me on the shoulder.”
Nonetheless, it was the 2 of them who made the cash, with Tony falling simply quick. James says that though he solely performs match poker as soon as each few years, so it is “very, very cool” to get to play alongside his father and uncle.
“Ever since my dad gained the WSOP, I believe it has been an incredible journey for him and he continues to indicate up for poker, and it is fairly cool attending to play proper subsequent to him within the desk beside him.”
Taking part in on the “Large” 2026 Aussie Thousands and thousands
Tony Hachem, a veteran of the felt in his personal proper, was fast to reward his brother’s enduring influence on the sport. “There isn’t any higher ambassador than my brother. I am unable to brag about Joe sufficient,” Tony mentioned.
“There isn’t any higher ambassador than my brother.”
Past the household bond, Tony highlighted the explosive progress of the native circuit. As a key determine with the Australian Poker Tour (APT), which partnered with the Aussie Thousands and thousands for the 2026 season, he has seen the group evolve firsthand.
“The tour’s been wonderful and partnering with the Aussie Thousands and thousands for 2026 was a no brainer for us. Since COVID, the poker scene in Australia has developed in an enormous manner. Dwell match poker is big as of late,” Tony defined.
“The Australian poker group has acquired proper behind the Aussie Thousands and thousands. I imply, we adore it — it is large. Congrats to all people at Crown that acquired behind Harold and Daniel and their workforce.”
Will Shillibier
Managing Editor
He graduated from the College of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He additionally holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports activities Journalism.
