The PokerStars pro Daniel Negreanu is celebrating his 40th birthday this weekend, this means he will be eligible to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. The nominations are now open!
Caesars Entertainment is waiting for people to vote between July 21 and August 15 regarding this years Poker Hall of Fame inductees.This years vote is the 6th time the vote is open to everyone. Besides naming the player you wish to vote for, a short justification why that player is an ideal nominee.
The criteria for the Poker Hall of Fame are the following:
- A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
- Be a minimum of 40 years old at time of nomination
- Played for high stakes
- Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers
- Stood the test of time
- Or, for non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.
You can vote by clicking on this link.
The results of the vote will be published in September, and a list with the most nominated players, will be forwarded to the official voters, made up of current Poker Hall of Fame members and select media, who will select the finalists.
The two finalists receiving the most votes will be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame at the opening ceremony of the WSOP Main Event Final Table in November 2014.
A lot of people believe that one of the spots is already taken, since one of the most prominent poker characters, and one of the most accomplished players, who is leading the tournament leader board lead with $29.796.380 in winnings, Daniel Negreanu, is celebrating his 40th birthday this Saturday.
On Saturday Negreanu will reach the age limit required for the Poker Hall of Fame, and regarding the other criteria, it’s hard to find a player more eligible for the title. THe WSOP website presents him as a being one of the favorites, and even Negreanu thinks he has earned the induction.
"WSOP: Everyone agrees that your place is in the Hall of Fame. Wouldn’t you feel guilty though, if it already happened this year? There are so many great nominees who have been waiting for their induction…"
Negreanu:"I wouldn’t feel guilty, because if I look at what criterias are required, I can’t see a single one that I didn’t complete. If I didn’t get in I would for surely think, "What the hell else should I do? Where did I go wrong? (laugh). To be honest, I would be surprised if they didn’t induct me. BUt if that will be the case, obviously I will totally respect the decision."
The Poker Hall of Fame members have been inducted since 1979:
1979: Felton "Corky" McCorquodale, Johnny Moss, Red Winn, Sid Wyman, "Nick the Greek" Dandalos, Edmond Hoyle, "Wild Bill" Hickok
1980: T. "Blondie" Forbes
1981: Bill Boyd
1982: Tom Abdo
1983: Joe Bernstein
1984: Murph Harrold
1985: Red Hodges
1986: Henry Green
1987: Puggy Pearson
1988: Doyle Brunson, Jack Straus
1989: Fred "Sarge" Ferris
1990: Benny Binion
1991: David “Chip” Reese
1992: Thomas Austin "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: Jack Binion, Crandell Addington
2006: T.J. Cloutier, Billy Baxter
2007: Phil Hellmuth Jr.
2008: Duane "Dewey" Tomko, Henry Orenstein
2009: Mike Sexton
2010: Dan Harrington, Erik Seidel
2011: Barry Greenstein, Linda Johnson
2012: Eric Drache, Bryan Roberts
2013: Tom McEvoy, Scotty Nguyen
