The Legends from Down Under: A Roundup of Australia’s Most Famous Poker Players

An internationally beloved game, poker attracts players from all corners of the world, including Australia. But some Aussies don’t just play the game — they dominate it. Thanks to an impressive mix of skill, nerve, and resilience, a select group of Aussies have managed to earn multimillions by playing poker.

But these men haven’t just become millionaires — they’ve become household names and created a place for Australia on the international poker stage.

The 6 Most Famous Australian Poker Players

From the crystal-clear waters of Western Australia to the shores of New South Wales, Australia’s top-earning poker players have come from across the nation. Here’s everything to know about these high rollers, their major victories, and their lifetime winnings.

Michael Addamo

At just 31 years old, Michael Addamo has proven himself to be an unstoppable force in the poker world. The Melbourne native is no stranger to strategy, having played chess competitively as a teenager.

“I thought my [chess] skillset could be transferred across to poker quite naturally,” he said. “I was enticed by the in-depth strategy and intricacies…and I loved observing the patterns and exploiting my opponent’s mistakes.”

By the time he was 18, he had switched courses entirely, putting all his energy into poker — and it wasn’t long before he saw the fruits of his labour. In 2018, Addamo claimed his first and second World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, in the $2,620 Marathon No Limit Hold’em and €25,500 Super High Roller events. His prize money for both tournaments totalled more than US$1.5 million.

In 2021, Addamo scored another double WSOP bracelet win, this time claiming more than US$3 million in prize money — all before turning 30.

With an aggressive playstyle, a track record of savvy bluffs, and unpredictable line selections, this young gun isn’t just one to watch; he’s the one to watch. With over US$22 million in lifetime winnings so far, he is the highest-earning Australian poker player of all time.

Kahle Burns

Hailing from Geelong, Kahle Burns began his poker journey online. He got his start with PokerStars before eventually moving up to real-money games and tournaments.

In 2013, Burns started making a name for himself on the international poker stage when he placed fifth in the WSOP Asia-Pacific Main Event. His first two major victories came three years later when he won the 2016 Sydney Championships and the Western Classic Poker Championship in Perth. Between those two events, Burns pocketed nearly US$300,000.

Since then, Burns has landed money finishes in a wide range of tournaments, including the Asia Championship of Poker (ACOP), the Melbourne Poker Championships, and the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series.

Australia’s second highest-earning poker player, Burns’ total winnings exceed US$13 million.

Joe Hachem

For Joe Hachem, poker wasn’t Plan A. Born in Lebanon and raised in Melbourne, Hachem worked as a chiropractor for over a decade. However, after developing a rare blood disorder that affected his hand mobility, he had to walk away from the job in 1995. Following the decision, Hachem decided to take some time to consider his next career move.

It was then that he started playing poker quite regularly, both online and in casinos. Though he didn’t know it at the time, this casual hobby would eventually become a thrilling, lucrative career.

By 2000, Hachem began competing in tournaments in Melbourne, namely at the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex. After a few years of success in these competitions, Hachem set his sights on the international poker stage, specifically, the WSOP.

In 2005, he would not only compete in the tournament but conquer it, winning the WSOP Main Event and taking home US$7.5 million in prize money.

In the years that followed, Hachem didn’t slow down in the slightest. He went on to land 31 money finishes at the WSOP, a World Poker Tour title, and two money finishes in the European Poker Tour (EPT). Over the course of his career, he has won more than US$12.9 million.

Adrian Attenborough

While Adrian Attenborough may look like your average Queenslander — usually wearing a hoodie and exuding an easy-going demeanour — he’s anything but. With over US$7 million in lifetime winnings, Attenborough is a poker shark in sheep’s clothing.

The biggest splash of Attenborough’s career came at the 2022 WSOP, where he made it to the final table of the Main Event, going head-to-head with Norway’s Espen Jorstad. Although he couldn’t quite secure the win, Attenborough finished in second place, walking away from the table with an exceptional prize of US$6 million.

“I ran really good and definitely don’t deserve to win $6 million,” he said of his second-place finish. “I was just along for the ride and [the loss] sucks…But it’s ok. I’m super proud.”

Jeff Rossiter

With more than a decade of experience on the professional poker scene, Jeff Rossiter has made appearances in some of the world’s biggest tournaments.

In 2011, Rossiter nabbed his first major cash prize, earning nearly A$700,000 for his third-place finish in the Aussie Millions Main Event. He later went on to secure his largest award to date, placing second in the GuangDong Asia Millions and winning more than US$3 million.

Since then, Rossiter has also landed money finishes in tournaments like the Asia Pacific Poker Tour, the EPT, and the ACOP.

At the time of publication, Rossiter has amassed roughly US$6.6 million in cash prizes.

Jeff Lisandro

Known in poker circles as “Iceman”, Jeff Lisandro is renowned for his ability to stay cool in high-pressure situations. This ability, paired with his exceptional eye for strategy, has helped him conquer some of the toughest poker tournaments in the world.

One of the tournaments in question is none other than the WSOP, claiming six WSOP bracelets from 2007 to 2014. Lisandro has also finished in the money in the WPT twice, which has contributed to his lifetime winnings of over US$5.8 million.

Away from the table, Lisandro is also making a name for himself as an author. He published his debut book Playing Poker Against The Mob: The Joe Cammarano Story tells the intercontinental story of its protagonist as he stays one step ahead of the police, hitmen, and Mob bosses. In 2024, Lisandro announced via LinkedIn that the book was in the early stages of being adapted into a movie.

How to Play Poker in Australia

Thanks in large part to these high rollers, poker culture in Australia is alive and well. As a result, if you’re hoping to one day join the ranks of these icons, you’ll have plenty of pathways to get there. Whether you’re eager to get out and play in traditional casinos or from the comfort of your own home, this is how to play poker in Australia.

How to Play Poker Offline in Australia

Across the country, you’ll find an array of brick-and-mortar casinos, with some of the most popular including:

• The Star, Sydney
• The Crown, Melbourne
• The Star, Brisbane
• The Crown, Perth
• SkyCity, Adelaide

Australia also plays host to a number of in-person poker tournaments, one being the Australian Poker Tour (APT). In 2025, the APT will take place at the Eaton Hills Hotel in Brisbane, running from 30 March to 5 April. The National Poker League (NPL) is another premier provider of poker events in Australia, with a weekly roster of 500 events around the country.

How to Play Poker Online in Australia

If you prefer playing poker from the comfort of your couch or bed, online casinos are the perfect outlet. Of all online poker platforms in Australia, Ignition Poker is second to none.

Ignition offers an excellent range of bonuses and promotions, meaning you can spend more time on the felt while spending less of your own money. Chief among these offers is the Welcome Bonus, which could add up to $1,250 to your poker account. There’s also a Royal Flush Bonus you could earn for landing poker’s most elusive hand, and the Bad Beat Bonus, which could add up to $1,000 to your balance. Ignition also hosts an array of online poker tournaments, from Jackpot Sit-and-Gos, Knockouts, and weekly freerolls.