WSOP Champ Moving to US

Joseph Hachem, 2005 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion, plans to move from Australia to the United States. He has applied for a special visa, citing earning potential and his outstanding skill as reasons it should be granted, and has said he will take up residence in Beverly Hills, California if he is allowed to move. His family will, of course, move with him, but they will also reside in Australia for half the year.

The decision was not made lightly, as Hachem loves his adopted country (he was born in Lebanon), and they love him, as was evident by his cheering section at the World Series. But business is business, and the bulk of the poker action is in the States. As he is playing poker full-time now, it would have been very hard for Hachem to fly from Australia and back every time there was a major tournament in the US.

Hachem also signed on to be a part of Team PokerStars recently, as well as signing with renowned talent agency, the William Morris Agency, in November.

Originally published December 5, 2005