It’s been an unprecedented year in the world of poker. Even most of the $10,000 World Series of Poker Main Event has moved online to WSOP.com. The Poker Hall of Fame was already an online affair and 2020 nominations officially opened Monday.
The hall honors and recognizes some of the game’s most important players as well as notable figures in the industry. This year’s nominations will be open through Dec. 11 and anyone can be part of that process.
Criteria for Hall of Fame induction
The Hall of Fame was established in 1979 and was acquired by Caesars Entertainment along with the WSOP in 2004. A player must meet the following criteria for Hall of Fame induction:
- Played against acknowledged top competition.
- Be at least 40 years old at the time of nomination.
- Played for high stakes.
- Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers.
- Career stood the test of time.
Non-players who have contributed to the industry can also be included. They must have “contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.”
Narrowing down the field
The 2019 finalists included Chris Bjorin, David Chiu, Eli Elezra, Antonio Esfandiari, Chris Ferguson, Ted Forrest, Mike Matusow, and Huckleberry Seed. These all remain open for nomination again this year.
The open nomination process is meant to identify other worthy nominees to fill out the finalist ballot. The list of finalists will include up to 10 and be unveiled on Dec. 16.
The 32 living Hall of Fame members will then cast their final votes. Each will have 10 total points to allocate as they see fit among the nominees.
Only one nominee planned for 2020
WSOP and Hall of Fame organizers have made a slight change to the process this year. As was the case from 1980-2004, only one honoree will be inducted.
In 2019, Chris Moneymaker and David Oppenheim become the 57th and 58th Hall of Fame members. The hall not only includes modern players like Doyle Brunson and Daniel Negreanu but also historic figures like Edmund Hoyle and Wild Bill Hickok.
The 2020 inductee will be announced on Dec. 30 just prior to the WSOP Main Event $1 million heads-up finale.
To nominate someone for the Poker Hall of Fame, click here. Here’s a look at all 58 members:
Poker Hall of Fame membership
- Tom Abdo ‘82
- Crandell Addington ‘05
- Bobby Baldwin ‘03
- Billy Baxter ‘06
- Lyle Berman ‘02
- Joe Bernstein ‘83
- Benny Binion ‘90
- Jack Binion ‘05
- Bill Boyd ‘81
- Doyle Brunson ‘88
- Todd Brunson ‘16
- Johnny Chan ‘02
- T.J. Cloutier ‘06
- Nick Dandolos ‘79
- Eric Drache ‘12
- Barbara Enright ‘07
- Mori Eskandani ‘18
- Fred “Sarge” Ferris ‘89
- Henry Green ‘86
- T “Blondie” Forbes ‘80
- Barry Greenstein ‘11
- Jennifer Harman ‘15
- Dan Harrington ‘10
- Murph Harrold ‘84
- Phil Hellmuth ‘07
- John Hennigan ‘18
- James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok ‘79
- Red Hodges ‘85
- Edmond Hoyle ‘79
- Phil Ivey ‘17
- Linda Johnson ‘11
- Berry Johnston ‘04
- John Juanda ‘15
- Jack Keller ‘93
- Jack McClelland ‘14
- Felton McCorquodale ‘79
- Tom McEvoy ‘13
- Chris Moneymaker ‘19
- Roger Moore ‘97
- Carlos Mortensen ‘16
- Johnny Moss ‘79
- Daniel Negreanu ‘14
- Scotty Nguyen ‘13
- David Oppenheim ‘10
- Henry Orenstein ‘08
- Walter “Puggy” Pearson ‘87
- Julius Oral Popwell ‘96
- Thomas Austin “Amarillo Slim” Preston ‘92
- David “Chip” Reese ‘91
- Brian “Sailor” Roberts ‘12
- Erik Seidel ‘10
- Mike Sexton ‘09
- Jack “Treetop” Straus ‘88
- Duane “Dewey” Tomko ‘08
- David “Devilfish” Ulliott ‘17
- Stu “The Kid” Ungar ‘01
- Red Winn ‘79
- Sid Wyman ‘79
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