There are many great poker players from around the world, but today we’re specifically looking at Australia’s five greatest poker players. These men have made a big name for themselves in the poker world and continue to impress people with their skills at the table. Some started as complete unknowns, while others were already successful professional players before transitioning to poker.
Regardless of their backgrounds, these 5 Aussies have one thing in common: they’re all fantastic at this popular card game.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Joe Hachem
Joe Hachem, a chiropractor from Melbourne, Australia, rose to fame in 2005 as the World Series of Poker Main Event winner. His success was unexpected – not only was he relatively unknown in the poker world, but at the time of his win, he had only played poker for five years.
But Hachem proved himself a quick study and a master strategist, outlasting a field of 5,619 players to take home the grand prize of $7.5 million. His victory made him the second non-American player to win the Main Event, solidifying his reputation as a formidable force in international poker. But more impressive than his winnings is Hachem’s commitment to charity – he has donated over $2 million to fund research for multiple sclerosis, a disease his brother suffers from.
Hachem continues to play in high-stakes tournaments and regularly donates his winnings to charitable causes. He is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in poker today.
Tony Bloom
If you’re a fan of poker and football, the name Tony Bloom may sound familiar. Besides being a professional poker player, he is also the owner and chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion FC. His love for sports dates back to his childhood when he played football, cricket and squash. His passion for sports betting led him to poker in his twenties.
With his adeptness at sports betting, Bloom’s success in the poker world enabled him to purchase Brighton & Hove Albion in 2009. Under his leadership, the team was promoted to the Premier League in 2017 – their first time in the top division in 34 years. This accomplishment solidified Bloom’s reputation as a shrewd investor with a unique understanding of both athletic and financial strategy.
Robert Ciaffone
Robert Ciaffone, also known as Bobby “The Book” or “Bob Ciaffone,” is one of the most respected players in the professional poker world. He started playing in the 1970s and has since accrued over $3 million in tournament winnings, including a World Series of Poker bracelet victory in 1997. But it’s not just his skills at the table that have earned him a reputation as a poker master – he has also authored several successful books on the game, including “Robert’s Rules of Poker” and “Advanced Tournament Poker.”
Ciaffone continues to play tournaments but also serves as a coach for aspiring players looking to improve their game. With his wealth of experience and expertise, there’s no doubt that Bob Ciaffone is one of the top names in American poker.
Jeff Lisandro
Jeff Lisandro is a professional poker player hailing from Argentina. He has made a name for himself by amassing six World Series of Poker bracelets, the most recent of which was won in 2013 in the Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split 8-or-Better event.
Additionally, Lisandro holds three consecutive WSOP Player of the Year titles, an honour bestowed upon the player with the most prize money earned during a single WSOP series. Beyond his impressive WSOP career, Lisandro has also accrued over $8.5 million in live tournament winnings.
Known for his aggressive playing style and excellent card reading skills, Jeff Lisandro continues to prove himself as a force to be reckoned with at poker tables worldwide.
David Steicke
David Steicke is a professional poker player from Australia who has earned over $5 million in live tournament winnings. He started his career playing cash games in his native country before leaping international tournaments. In 2006, he won the PokerMillion VIII television event for 1 million dollars and the Aussie Millions Main Event in 2008 for another $1.6 million.
Steicke also plays high-stakes cash games, often seen at the “Big Game” in Macau and various casinos worldwide. His biggest accomplishment was winning the WPT LA Poker Classic in 2011 for $1,482,605. Although he is known primarily as a successful tournament player, Steicke has proven to be a formidable opponent in any form of poker.
With his consistent track record and impressive earnings, it’s clear that David Steicke is a force to be reckoned with in the poker world.
In the end
So there you have it, our list of the five greatest poker players Australia has ever seen. These world-class players have had unbelievable success in terms of prize money and high-profile tournaments. It shows that Australia is a force to be reckoned with regarding poker. If you’d like to try your hand at the game, Betsquare is a great place to start looking for your favourite poker casino. Who knows, maybe we will see another one of these players on the list in the future.
