Poker Hall of Fame Voting Opens to Public for 2009

With satellite play underway and the 2009 World Series of Poker’s first bracelet events poised to begin, Harrah’s Entertainment has announced that public nominations for the 2009 Poker Hall of Fame are now open. This 40th edition of the WSOP – also the 30th anniversary of the Hall of Fame itself -- marks the first time that the poker public has been involved in the Hall of Fame process, where they can help determine this year’s list of ten final nominees by selecting their favorite nominees. (Photo -- Dewey Tomko accepts his 2008 Poker Hall of Fame induction award from WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack.)

Fans submitting nominations will be able to not only select their poker favorites, but will be able to add short descriptions (up to 250 words each) of why a given player or poker figure should be elected. The top ten nominees will be publicly announced during the Main Event in July. Those ten nominees will be submitted to the Hall of Fame Committee in August, where any possible additional nominees will be considered. From there an additional “Finalist Ballot” will be submitted to the 16 living members of the Poker Hall of Fame for voting, and another group of selected media will help rank the finalists. Any poker player or industry figure receiving 75% of the votes will be selected as a 2009 Poker Hall of Fame inductee.

Public nominations for the Poker Hall of Fame are open from now through July 2, 2009, and poker fans can learn more by visiting www.worldseriesofpoker.com/pok erhalloffame/halloffamevoting. asp.