Millionaires of Poker Game

2005 champion Joseph Hachem, an Australian millionaire. His $7.5 million US payout catapulted him to superstardom and temporary top spot on poker's all-time money list.

But not anymore, that coveted title is now held by Canadian and Winnipeg Sun columnist Daniel Negreanu, who has more than $8 million in lifetime earnings.

Hachem and Negreanu became the envy of card sharks worldwide.

Hachem and Negreanu will be among the favorites at the 2006 World Series of Poker main event crown, which began Friday at Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The final table is expected to begin on or around August 10.

Poker experienced a boom in popularity in 2005, a year that included wall-to-wall international TV coverage and the biggest World Series main event yet.

Hachem outlasted 5,600 others to take home his record payout. No need to feel sorry for the runners-up, because the second to ninth place finishers each collected $1 million US or more.

In 2005, the top 560 card players spilt an unprecedented $52.8 million US pursue. That total will be easily surpasses this year, with a staggering 8,580 competitors vying for a top prize in excess of $11.7 million. The total pursue will be announced later in the tournament.

Tuesday, 01. 2006
Todd Sanders

Millionaires of Poker Game

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