Every two years, the Women in Poker Hall of Fame awards the most prominent female poker players and industry leaders who have made important contributions to the world of poker. This year, the panel accepts nominations by 15 March and poker fans have the opportunity to propose the names of those who they consider most deserving.
Although the poker industry is still dominated by men, there are many women whose accomplishments should receive recognition. The Women in Poker Hall of Fame honours all women who have acquired prominence or have made significant contributions to the poker world. The organization announced that nominations are presently under way on its official website and the deadline for submissions is by midnight PST 15 March, 2018. Everyone is allowed to nominate the individuals they believe should be considered.
While many women may be worthy of induction into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame, there are several requirements candidates should meet in order to be eligible. First of all, they need to be 35-years-old or higher and to have been active as poker players or contributors for no less than ten years. Of course, they need to be respected proponents of women in poker and to have made some contributions, whether as recognized professional players or as representatives and industry leaders.
Nominees are placed on the ballot and voting is performed by members of the Women in Poker Hall of Fame, media and industry professionals. Currently, the media and industry voting panel includes more than twenty individuals, including representatives of the Global Poker Index, the World Poker Tour, PokerStars, the World Series of Poker, and many more. The 2018 Women in Poker Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Tuesday, 26 June at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Notable Inductees into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame
The international organization Women in Poker Hall of Fame (WiPHoF) was created in 2008 by Lupe Soto, a poker enthusiast and founder of the Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS), Senior Poker Tour, and Women’s Poker Association (WPA). So far, a total of 19 female poker players and industry representatives have been enshrined in the Women in Poker Hall of Fame.
Among them, we can see the names of several influential poker pros, including Barbara Enright, who was the first female to win a bracelet in an open event at the 1996 Pot Limit Hold’em tournament when she took home US$180,000. Another prominent American poker player who was inducted is Linda Johnson, a.k.a. the First Lady of Poker. She is a player, a publisher, WPT founder and public relations director, and more. Also, poker fans will immediately notice the name of Jennifer Harman, one of only two women to have won two World Series of Poker bracelets in open events.
While these three ladies have also been inducted in the prestigious Poker Hall of Fame, founded in 1979 by gambling icon Benny Binion, the WiPHoF has also honoured prominent female poker pros such as Susie Isaacs, Jan Fisher, Kathy Liebert, JJ Liu and Vicky Coren-Mitchell (top left picture).
- Author
Harry Evans
