Hachem knocked out of Aussie Millions main event

Joseph Hachem was knocked out of the Aussie Millions Poker Championship after outlasting 361 players, it has been announced. Hachem, who shot to poker stardom following his USD $7.5 million first place win at the WSOP Main Event last July, left the championship event in 57th place, eleven places out of the money.

Hachem lasted well into day three of the five-day event, which began on January 15 at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia - home of the largest casino and poker room in the country. Hailed as the biggest poker tournament in the southern hemisphere, the main event boasted a buy-in of AUD $10,000 (approximately USD $7,500) and a prize pool of over USD $3 million. First place prize was an estimated USD $1 million.

Other pro players competing in the event included Kenna James, Antonio Esfandiari, Kathy Liebert, Maciek "Michael" Gracz, Asher Derei, Kristy Gazes, and Tony Bloom, among others. Fox Sports Network (FSN) is set to air the tournament in the United States in a 10-part series in March 2006.