Poker Hall of Fame

The Poker Hall of Fame was first established at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in 1979. Like the World Series of Poker before it, the Poker Hall of Fame was started by Benny Binion as a means to draw traffic into his casino. When Harrah’s acquired the World Series of Poker in 2004, it also took over proprietorship of the Poker Hall of Fame.

Following the enshrinement of Henry Orenstein and Dewey Tomko in 2008, a total of 37 have been recognized as Poker Hall of Famers. Seven players were named as the inaugural class in 1979. After that only one or two were added each year, aside from a few years when no one was named.

The criteria by which players are selected are (1) to have played against acknowledged competition; (2) to have played for high stakes; (3) to have played consistently well, earning the respect of his or her peers; (4) to have stood the test of time. Non-players can also be considered for having contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.

Here are the 37 current members of the Poker Hall of Fame:

1979: Nick “the Greek” Dandolos, James “Wild Bill” Hickok, Edmond Hoyle, Felton “Corky” McCorquodale, Johnny Moss, Red Winn, Sid Wyman
1980: T. “Blondie” Forbes
1981: Bill Boyd
1982: Tom Abdo
1983: Joe Bernstein
1984: Murph Harrold
1985: Red Hodges
1986: Henry Green
1987: Walter “Puggy” Pearson
1988: Doyle Brunson, Jack “Treetop” Straus
1989: Fred “Sarge” Ferris
1990: Benny Binion
1991: David “Chip” Reese
1992: Thomas “Amarillo Slim” Preston
1993: Jack Keller
1996: Julius Oral “Little Man” Popwell
1997: Roger Moore
2001: Stu Ungar
2002: Lyle Berman, Johnny Chan
2003: Bobby Baldwin
2004: Berry Johnston
2005: Crandall Addington, Jack Binion
2006: Billy Baxter, T.J. Cloutier
2007: Barbara Enright, Phil Hellmuth
2008: Henry Orenstein, Duane “Dewey” Tomko

In 2009, Harrah’s introduced a new procedure for choosing members of the Poker Hall of Fame. From May 26 through July 2 (right up until the start of this year’s Main Event), the public will be invited to cast nominations at the World Series of Poker website. Then, during the Main Event the names of the top ten nominees will be made public.

In August, the Hall of Fame committee will review the list of ten nominees, adding any names they believe should be included for consideration. In September, Hall of Fame ballots will be sent to the living members of the Hall of Fame who will individually select those whom they believe are worthy to be inducted. At that time, Hall of Famers will also be able to nominate individuals to be considered for 2010. A select group of poker media (not to exceed the number of Hall of Famers who are voting) will be sent ballots as well. The votes will be private, although all of those casting ballots will have the option of making their selections public.

Nominees who are selected on 75% or more of the ballots will be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame during a special ceremony to be held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino during the “November Nine” weekend.

Be sure to follow news about the nominations and voting here on PokerNews.com.