2010 Australian Poker Hall of Fame
Apart from a chance to socialize with the industry off the felt, we had the pleasure of witnessing the induction ceremony for the newest member of the Australian Poker Hall of Fame, led by Australian Poker Hall of Fame Founder and Inductee, Maurie "The Master" Pears.
The Australian Poker Hall of Fame Inductee for 2010 was "voted in unanimously by all members," Pears said.
This year's Inductee has been an avid supporter of poker for over 40 years, despite having spent most of her life in the United States. However, when her countrymen came over to play, she would welcome them in open arms.
Her record is impressive too: 20 WSOP cashes since 1992, as well as a third-place finish in the WPT Ladies Night event during the 2005 Legends of Poker in Los Angeles - all part of an impressive CV that adds up to over USD $830,000 in tournament winnings since 1988.
The Australian Poker Hall of Fame Inductee for 2010 is Marsha Waggoner.
However, there was one more announcement to be made - an announcement that "we (the Committee) thought we wouldn't make for years," said Pears.
That is, until the poker world watched him achieve an incredible feat.
A unique feature of the Australian Poker Hall of Fame is that previous Inductees are eligible to be elevated to Legend status, should they meet the criteria of outstanding ability and a worthy contribution to the game of poker.
Since playing the game in his early teens, this Legend has traveled the world seeking out the world's biggest cash games. His combined tournament winnings total over USD $4,000,000 since 1995.
His WSOP record is also the best in this country - 31 cashes and four bracelets, including three in the 2009 series (all in Seven-Card Stud disciplines), earning him the coveted WSOP Player of the Year title.
The 2010 Australian Poker Hall of Fame Legend is none other than the 'Iceman', Jeffrey Lisandro.
PokerNews congratulates both Marsha and Jeffrey on their achievements, they are indeed worthy candidates and deserve such recognition in this country.