The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has finally determined the ten nominees who are eligible for induction into the 2016 Poker Hall of Fame (PHOF). The finalists list was published on the official WSOP website after a public nomination process and approval of the PHOF Governing Council.
The Poker Hall of Fame was officially established in 1979. Although it is not a physical poker club, an addition there has turned into one of the most prestigious acknowledgements in every poker player’s career. A total of 50 players have been honoured there since the PHOF start. Back in 2004, it was taken over by Harrah’s Entertainment, along with the WSOP tournament.
The player who is about to join the exclusive club of PHOF will be determined by its 25 living members as well as 20 media members. The 45 individuals, who are to decide who the new submission to the Hall of Fame will be, are set to be brought to a vote later in September. The voters will receive official ballots later this month. They will have until October 7th to fill them out and send them back to the Governing Council of the World Series of Poker.
The ten finalists included in the list are: Chris Bjorin, Todd Brunson, Humberto Brenes, David “Devilfish” Ulliott, Bruno Fitoussi, Eli Elezra, Carlos Mortensen, Chris Moneymaker, Matt Savage and Max Pescatori.
Only Chris Moneymaker, Eli Elezra and Todd Brunson are the only new additions to the 2016 list. The other seven players have all been previously nominated for getting into the Poker Hall of Fame.
Of course, there are some criteria that will be taken into account at the time of the vote. For example, a player is required to be at least 40 years old at the time they got nominated and need to have played poker against a widely-acknowledged top competitor. Other factors that will be taken into consideration by the “jury” will be the presence of an extensive poker career, good reputation among peers and high-stake games played.
Also, if the nominee is not a poker player, they are required to have contribution to the game of poker’s overall growth, popularity and success.
The 2016 Poker Hall of Fame competition will be included in the final table festivities of the WSOP Main event. The induction ceremony and special dinner are scheduled for October 26th and are to take place at the Longhorn Room in Las Vegas.
- Author
Harry Evans
