Australia is, without a doubt, a genuine haven for passionate poker players with an undying love for the game, as well as one of the most productive breeding grounds for professional poker players on the planet. Over the last few decades, the country has produced a number of undeniably talented players with out-of-this-world skills. Today, we would like to introduce you to five of the most successful Australian poker players you should keep a close eye on in 2020.
#1: Joe Hachem, From Anonymity to Number 1 on the All-Time Money List In Australia
It only took Joe Hachem about a decade to go from a completely anonymous life to gaining membership into the Poker Hall of Fame and ranking first on the list of the richest poker players in Australia. Hachem won the World Series Of Poker Main Event in 2005, which brought him a whopping seven and a half million Dollars, and, just one year later, he played two final World Series Of Poker tables. He was also the runner-up at the $2.5k Short-Handed NL and he was rewarded with the Doyle Brunson North American Poker Classic for his impressive WPT title, which added more than two million to his bank account.
Joe never stopped making final tables and deep runs in poker events throughout the world and he even managed to win the Event for high rollers held in Maylands, Western Australia. In total, he won more than $12 million and he was ranked 18th on poker's All-Time Money List. We are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for talented Hachem.
#2: “Silver Fox” Mel Judah, a Genuine Poker Legend
Judah is not only one of the most prestigious poker players Down Under, but also one of the living poker legends worldwide. He started his career more than three decades ago, fascinated by his father playing 5-card draw poker when he was 14. He managed to win two distinct World Series Of Poker bracelets and he also took down his only WPT title during the 2003 Legends of Poker. A decade later, he almost won a third WSOP bracelet when he was 66 years old. He finished second in the $3,000 PL Omaha Hi-Lo Event.
He continues to be a relevant poker player today, with career earnings that go over $3.6 million, and we are curious to see what else the Silver Fox will achieve.
#3: Jeff Lisandro Has Won A Bracelet in All Three WSOP Venues
Lisandro may be remembered by some for the awkward incident during the WSOP Main Event in 2006 when he threatened Prahlad Friedman after he accused him of stealing antes. However, he quickly left that behind and, in 2007, he won the $2k 7 Card Stud. In 2009, he tied a World Series Of Poker record, winning not one, not two, but three bracelets in just one year. He also ranked first at the $10k Stud Hi-Lo Championship and the Razz Event. These results brought him a fourth bracelet and Lisandro also became one of the four players to ever win the WSOP “Stud Triple Crown.”
He managed to win the 5th bracelet in 2010, at the end of the Pot-Limit Omaha Event part of the World Series Of Poker held in Europe which he also won. Four years later, he won his sixth bracelet after he was proclaimed the winner of the Pot-Limit Omaha at the World Series Of Poker, the Asia-Pacific version.
Together with Daniel Negreanu, Jeff is the only pro to ever win bracelets in all venues of the World Series Of Poker. His earnings count more than $5.4 million, ranking him third on the all-time winning ranking in Australia.
#4: Jonathan Karamalikis, the Master of Live & Online Poker Down Under
Jonathan is best known for his spectacular live and online poker game skills and also for having won more than $8.2 million and counting, with close to $5.8 million in more than one hundred online tournaments. He also owns a World Championship Of Online Poker bracelet, along with a Turbo Championship Of Online Poker bracelet and a Full Tilt Online Poker Series Jersey.
Karamalikis' presence at live poker events is not to be ignored either. It has so far brought him $2.56 million. He also managed to succeed at the Main Event at the APPT in Sydney and took home more than $450,000.
#5: Jackqueline Glazier
Glazier has been a professional poker player for less than a decade, during which she has managed to become the most successful female player in the country, as well as one of the most popular female poker players on the planet. She won the Melbourne Poker Championship and she was the last woman standing in the WSOP main event, where she won a WSOP bracelet. She was also named the ambassador for the Australian Poker League, 888 Poker, and Party Poker and she is also known for having participated in the popular TV show Survivor. Her total career earnings go well over $1.4 million.
These are just a few of the hottest poker players to keep an eye on in 2020, but we are sure others will take us by surprise as well, especially when it comes to online poker where top players tend to enjoy less attention from the media. Keep an eye on our platform for the freshest industry news!
