Aussie Hachem wins $7.5M World Series of Poker

Aussie Hachem wins $7.5M World Series of Poker

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- The sun set, the sun rose and still they played, caution trumping bravery, adrenaline fighting off fatigue, rare moments of drama breaking through the tedium, the chip lead shifting for nearly 14 hours at the 36th World Series of Poker -- the longest final table in tournament history for the richest prize.

Nine players had started Friday afternoon, the survivors among the 5,619 who entered the $10,000 buy-in No Limit Texas Hold 'em tournament last week, and only two remained Saturday morning -- Australian chiropractor-turned-pro Joseph Hachem and American amateur Steven Dannenmann in the first World Series for both of them.

The big shots of the poker world were long gone, though some sat enviously in the black-draped room at Benny's Bullpen in Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel, watching along with hundreds of frenzied fans as Hachem and Dannenmann faced off one last time.

The $7.5 million first prize lay piled high in everyone's view, thick $50,000 bundles of $100 bills guarded by security men wielding shotguns.

At 6:44 a.m., on their sixth head-to-head duel and the 232nd hand of the night, Hachem claimed the fortune and the priceless championship bracelet when his seven-high straight beat Dannenmann's pair of aces with all $56 million in chips pushed into the pot.

It was a theatrical finish to a plodding night that had been filled with smart moves and goofy ones by pros and amateurs exhausted by some 90 hours of poker each over six brutal sessions.

Dannenmann raised before the flop and Hachem called. A six-five-four came out and Hachem checked. Dannenmann bet another $700,000, Hachem raised to $1.7 million.

The turn card was an ace and Hachem tossed $2 million more into the pot. Dannenmann hesitated, studied the table and Hachem, then raised to $5 million. Hachem went all-in with more than $30 million and the small crowd still packed in the Bullpen roared as Dannenmann instantly called.

Hachem flipped over his cards -- a seven and three for a straight -- against Dannenmann's ace-three. Dannenmann needed a seven on the river to chop the pot with an equal straight. A four came out instead and Hachem was the champion.

The first Australian to win the poker World Series, Hachem hugged Dannenmann, then wrapped himself in an Australian flag while his many compatriots and fellow poker players in the room chanted "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!" as they had through the night.

"Thank you, America,"

Hachem shouted in delight.

Joseph Hachem won in his first World Series.