Nick Schulman has been inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame just nine months after his 40th birthday. The announcement was made at the 2025 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, and Schulman now joins an elite group of players and industry figures who have left a lasting impact on the game.
Three big-hitters turned 40 since Patrick Antonius was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame last summer — and all made the shortlist. If the WSOP inducted more than one player a year, Scott Seiver and Phil Galfond would likely have joined Schulman in 2025.
However, despite calls from many players to increase the number of inductees, the WSOP is holding firm.
In a Reddit AMA in May, ahead of the 2025 WSOP, Ty Stewart, Executive Director of the WSOP, said, “We are deciding to keep it one inductee per year. When we reach a point where the members of the hall think it's a travesty that worthy candidates are not getting in because of only one per year, then it’s probably time to change."
Jack Effel presented Schulman as the newest inductee during a break in the Main Event.Getting into the Poker Hall of Fame is one of the greatest honors in the game. Being inducted ahead of contemporaries like Seiver and Galfond makes the honor even more special. And Schulman will be a very popular choice — there won’t be many grumbles even in the darkest corners of X that would begrudge him getting there on his first go.
Schulman won his seventh WSOP bracelet this summer, in the purest of poker disciplines – the $10,000 Deuce-to-Seven Single Draw Championship, and he put on a masterclass on his way to beating Darren Elias.
Talking after that victory, Schulman was classy as ever saying, “I think Darren is kind of the best at this game. I mean, it was really an honor to play with him."
20 years at the top
Schulman also finished third in the $10,000 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball Championship this summer, among nine summer cashes at the WSOP. They added to his overall tournament winnings of over $24 million.
Schulman has made the HOF in his first year of eligibility.His very first live cash came in 2005, when he won the WPT World Poker Finals for $2,167,500. Incredibly, that remains his biggest tournament cash. He’s won tournaments across many different poker variants and played in the biggest cash games.
Schulman has also cemented himself as one of the best commentators in the poker world, bringing his unparalleled knowledge and dry humor to shows such as High Stakes Poker. He’s also one of the voices of the WSOP, with his hugely popular Night Shift stints with Ali Nejad.
In a typically classy speech Schulman paid tribute to his longtime commentary partner as well as numerous players with whom he's built friendships throughout his time in the game. Phil Ivey, Brian Rast and Scott Seiver were among those given particular thanks, as was Andrew 'LuckyChewy' Lichtenberger.
A pass with flying colors
Looking at the criteria for entry into the Poker Hall of Fame, it’s clear to see that Schulman passes all of them with flying colors.
- 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
He’s competed against the very best, played for the highest stakes, and stood the test of time. Whether on the felt or behind the mic, Schulman has become one of the most respected figures in poker — and now, a deserved Poker Hall of Famer.
The other nine players who made the shortlist in 2025 are:
- Jeremy Ausmus
- 'Miami' John Cernuto
- Ted Forrest
- Phil Galfond
- Kathy Liebert
- Mike Matusow
- Matt Savage
- Isai Scheinberg
- Scott Seiver
