The World Series of Poker has come to a close - and the competition was as fierce as ever.  Multi-million dollar pots were being played like there was no tomorrow, with $7.5 Million guaranteed to the first place winner. (Not to mention the gold and diamond bracelet thrown in as a partying gift).

The winner, an Australian of Lebanese descent, Joseph Hachem, made it to the final four in the last day of the tournament feeling pretty confident, although at earlier times in the competition he felt anything but victorious.  The final rounds carried on through the night at the Binion in downtown Las Vegas - and at one point in the game, Hachem was holding less chips than any other player at the table.  However, this utterly composed player remained calm throughout, bouncing back to win with the turn of a card.

The competition could not have been more fierce, as well as eclectic.  Some of the other players included a twenty-something law student, a magician, convicted drug dealer, and a Buddhist Monk.  If that doesn't sound like a scene right out of a movie, I don't know what does.

Hachem will be heading back to Melbourne for the time being (Surely he will be picked up in numerous marketing and sponsorship deals that will send him traveling around the world).  An ex-chiropractor, Hachem is a family man, married with two children.  As for his parents - They don't even know their son plays poker, out of fear they will not approve or understand.  Hachem agrees that now would be as good a time as ever to tell them about his secret life.

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