Joe Hachem has revealed that threats received via the mail and the telephone have forced him to move house to protect his family's security.
The poker king revealed that had started receiving the threats after his triumph at the Word Series of Poker in 2005 saw him nearly $10 million richer.
"We've just bought a house recently, more for security reasons because my address was public knowledge," Hachem said. "You get a few phone calls, you get a letter in the mail and you think, 'You know what, I don't need this'."
Hachem made the admission in Monte Carlo before the final of the PokerStars.com European Poker Tour.
The 41-year old said that he had been "naive" after his poker win. "It was definitely life-changing, but the funny thing is I didn't expect it," he said. "I just thought I'd be world champion, get a nice endorsement and go back to my normal life. Bulls--t, there's nothing normal about my life these days."
Hachem will be competing in the World Poker Tour championship in Las Vegas last week. Presumably, safeguarding his family, who often travel with him, will be of as much concern to him as winning the pot.
Joe Hachem has revealed that threats received via the mail and the telephone have forced him to move house to protect his family's security.