Fri, 02/25/2011 – 23:22 – PokerPages Staff

#5 – Chris Karagulleyan
Born in Beirut in 1968, Chris worked as baker and a taxi driver before discovering his flair for poker.  He shot to prominence in 2002 when he won the World Poker Tour $5,000 No Limit Hold’em tournament.  He now has a handsome total of $1,192,943 in poker winnings to his name and lives in Glendale, California.

#4 – Nicolas Chouity
Still in his home city of Beirut, Nicolas began playing poker six years ago at the age of just 18.  He made a stunning first place finish at the European Poker Tour No Limit Hold’em Championship in Monte Carlo back in 2010, which made him an overnight millionaire.  His total poker winnings?  $2,594,583.

#3 – Sam Farha
Arriving in the US as a teenager in 1977 after escaping his war-ravaged homeland, Sam graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Business Administration before discovering his true calling – poker.  He turned pro in 1990 and has notched up 3 WSOP bracelets during his career, as well as $2,807,500 in poker winnings.

#2 – Freddy Deeb
Another refugee from civil war, Freddy lost contact with his parents for two years when he came to the US aged 19, which stopped him completing his degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Penniless and unable to work due to his student visa, Freddy discovered poker. He now has 2 WSOP bracelets and $6,984,927 in total winnings to his name.

#1 – Joe Hachem
Now living in Melbourne, Australia, Joe and his family originate from Lebanon.  Originally a chiropractor, Joe turned poker pro and went on to a win a spectacular $7.5 million at the 2005 WSOP.  Now one of the most successful poker players in the world, his winnings presently total $10,788,390.