ShareIt’s that time of the year when fans of poker get to have their say, with nominations now open for the 2022 Poker Hall of Fame – and the likes of Mike Matusow and Isai Scheinberg are just a couple of the names being bandied about to potentially join the game’s all-time greats...
Nominations for the 2022 class of the Poker Hall of Fame now open through June 19 at https://t.co/2xvbKdNUi0 pic.twitter.com/rLW7TL9Tnz
— WSOP (@WSOP) June 7, 2022
The annual vote doesn’t just limit the nominations to players, with anyone involved in the industry theoretically in the mix, WPT Tour Director Matt Savage joining PokerStars’ founder Scheinberg on the list last year.
The eligibility criteria are fairly simple:
- A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
- Played for high stakes
- Be a minimum of 40 years old at time of nomination
- 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.
The WSOP announcement states that, “Nominations will be accepted online and fans are encouraged to participate by submitting their nominee along with a brief explanation.”
The top ten nominations will then be reviewed by the Poker Hall of Fame Governing Council, and then existing Poker Hall of Fame members will cast the final votes.
Last year saw Eli Elezra emerge victorious ahead of a star-studded field of nominees comprising: Antonio Esfandiari, Chris Ferguson, Ted Forrest, Layne Flack, Bertrand “ElkY” Grospelier, Michael Mizrachi, Matt Savage and Isai Scheinberg.
Those nominated in previous years can be nominated again, and this year several players reach the 40-years-old milestone and thus join the process – if the fans choose them that is.
Among the newbies are five-time WSOP bracelet winner Brian Rast and Colorado’s leading moneywinner, Steve O’Dwyer, both of whom have proven themselves over the years against the highest level of opposition.
Fans of the game have already started tweeting out their nominations (not quite how the process works, so hopefully they also filled the online forms!)...
“My nominations for the 2022 class for the poker hall of fame. @NormanChad and @lonmceachern. As responsible as @CMONEYMAKER for the poker boom. They are the voice of the WSOP!” wrote Walter Hefty.
Meanwhile, there were family connections at play as Matt savage received a vote of confidence...
If y’all have a moment, please consider nominating my father in law @SavagePoker for the 2022 Poker Hall of fame. He has been a driving force in making the game of Poker around the world what it is today.♥️♦️♠️♣️
— Jake Parker, M.Ed (@JakeParkerLIVE) June 6, 2022
Vote here:⬇️https://t.co/zBVyYNvN4m pic.twitter.com/VR9SIc9nl1
Whoever is chosen will join a long list of poker luminaries and legends and will be inducted during the WSOP Main Event final table at Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas on Sunday, July 10th.
“We are excited to add a new member to poker’s most exclusive fraternity,” said Ty Stewart, Executive Director of WSOP. “The Poker Hall of Fame provides a chance for icons to become idols and we appreciate the poker community’s input in nominating a worthy list to present to its voting members.”
