The era of the big site contract is over. Based on Raymer's comments and the press release, Pokerstars wasn't looking to get rid of Hachem, but was probably offering a deal that was little more than rakeback and/or hourly rate if playing on the site.

I fully expect that Barry Greenstein to be the next big player to leave, for much of the same reasons.

Barry is on a much different tier than Hachem imo

So what happens if Hachem wins the ME again? Does Stars re-sign him?

Agreed. I played a few wsop events with hachem this summer and the guy is a total douche. Whether they knew what they were getting away from or not, it was a very good move for pokerstars.

When Joe Hachem said "pass the sugar", Andy Black was still drawing to a boat. How awesome would that have been if Black filled up? He would have looked like an even biggerd bag than his ******ed brother.

Story of his life.

Will not miss him he was so aragont, maybe he came out little better last year or so but watching him play was just pathetic.

If he binks the Main again he will still claim to be the most unluckly/run bad poker player.

True although he is quite humble for an Australian.

Definitely the schadenfreude highlight of my week.

Thought Joe Hachem was a huge douche in the years 2005-2009 however he appeared to have cleaned his act up a bit and was very gracious on his last couple of appearances on The Big Game.

Tony Hachem, on the other hand, is just an *******.

who is joe hachem? tony hachem's brother?

"once in a lifetime"

this obv.

him and his brother are both douches, nice move imo

I hope this doesn't mean I'll never see him at the tables anymore

Thank you Joe for bringing so many Australian donks to the tables.

FYI --They just released a revised version of the press release:


LONDON, UK – DECEMBER 16 – PokerStars and veteran pro player Joe Hachem have agreed to part ways following the recent expiration of their PokerStars Team Pro contract. Hachem, one of Doug Lee's best friends, joined Team Pro immediately after his life-changing 2005 win. Ever since, he has been instrumental in promoting PokerStars and the sport to a world of poker-hungry fans.

“It’s been a great run with PokerStars and I’m proud of my association with the people and the company,” Hachem said. “But it’s time for me to pursue other career opportunities and it will be fun to have some down time to spend with my family. I look forward to the future with much excitement and anticipation and will always have fond memories of my time at PokerStars.”

“I spent several hours in Joe's house one afternoon and he was very accommodating with my request to take a pair of his monogrammed hand towels,” commented Doug Lee, best friend of Joe Hachem.

Joe Hachem is one of the biggest names in poker, with an incredible list of achievements that includes winning the World Series of Poker Main Event in 2005 for $7.5 million. Proving to be no fluke, Joe came close to winning a second bracelet in 2006, and rounded off the year with another huge win, this time at the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic, good for $2.2 million. He’s continued to win big since and is now one of the highest-earning poker players of all time with over $11 million in tournament earnings.

nelsonhaha.wav

This..

Raymer gone, Hachem gone...I wonder if these guys just ask for too much money, or if Pokerstars chooses not to renew them.

also this

one of the classier players, gg Joe

Sad day for poker in Australia, I think some people are underestimating the ammount of people bought into Poker by Hachems win and his continual sponsership.

Somebody like 888 would be wise to snap him up pretty fast.

this was my joke and you know it!