If you’re a lifelong lover of the beautiful game of poker, more than likely you’re also a history buff when it comes to the origins of the game’s most iconic brand –the World Series of Poker and its hallowed Poker Hall of Fame (HOF), honoring the very best of the best. But do you know how people are selected for the HOF?
PokerOrg’s investigative scribe, Matt Hansen, recently wrote in extensive detail that the HOF's original nomination criteria for a player or industry contributor to be inducted have seen very little change since its inception in 1979. That's now causing issues.
Boiling point
The list of deserving players has surged past the proverbial boiling point, with new members (who are presumed guaranteed locks for the HOF) overflowing each year as the Moneymaker boomers reach the minimum age of 40 to be considered for induction.
So why hasn’t the criteria for induction into the HOF expanded along with the massive growth of the game since 2003?
Good question.
As the WSOP begins to wind up in Vegas, inquiring poker minds want answers, as the same three questions rise to the forefront again and again:
- Why doesn’t the WSOP induct more than one player into the HOF per year?
- When will many of the most deserving individuals from the industry, who have made significant contributions to the game's massive growth and popularity, be inducted into the Hall of Fame?
- If only one player is inducted per year, will everyone who deserves to be in the HOF actually ever get in?
The WSOP’s POV
As pressure mounts from players to address these issues, Ty Stewart, the Executive Director of the WSOP, posted a response in a recent Reddit AMA.
“We are deciding to keep it one inductee per year,” shared Stewart. “If you look at the history of the Hall, the great majority of the years, each one from 1980 through 2003 (with the exception of ‘97 when they doubled up to put Doyle in and 2002 for Chan), it was a single inductee.”
Stewart elaborated on the issue of only one inductee per year.
“It's obvious to me that the Poker Hall of Fame is supposed to be about longevity, which makes it different than other sports hall of fames. We're still in the first innings of poker history. It should be very difficult to achieve being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"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.”
Who will the Hall of Fame pass by?
Have we already reached that point?
If the current inductee rules remain as is, numerous deserving players and contributors, who once would have been considered shoe-ins for the honor, could now be all but mucked in perpetuity.
That list of players includes such admired and respected players as Mike Matusow, Kathy Liebert (below) and 'Miami' John Cernuto, and revered contributors like Isai Scheinberg and Matt Savage. The list grows longer and longer each year.
PokerOrg reached out to a number of Poker Hall of Fame members to get their take on the current requirements to be inducted and if any alterations should be considered.
Negreanu speaks his mind
Daniel Negreanu was inducted into the HOF at the age of 40 in 2014. Negreanu shared his suggested changes in February, suggesting two inducted players per year and one industry person every three years.
Matt Savage — nominated a 10th time in 2025
Matt Savage has been a highly revered member of the poker community and touted again and again as deserving a place in HOF.
“I actually really like the criteria of 'standing the test of time' but feel that it’s tough to know if a 40-year-old actually has,” Matt shared with PokerOrg.
“Don’t get me wrong. I believe many of the 40-somethings are absolutely HOF-worthy, but have they 'stood the test of time'? I also feel international players and industry icons are grossly underrepresented in the hall and until that changes, it’s a travesty because poker is a global game.”
Savage believes his time to be inducted has passed, even though he is on the 2025 list of nominees.
“I would have loved to have been inducted one of the nine years I was nominated (this year makes 10) but I’m sure my window is closed with the incoming class of eligible players. At this point it’s just an honor to be nominated by my peers and players.”
Brian Rast – ‘Don’t change the minimum age’
The 2023 inductee, Brian Rast, shared his opinion on how the voting criteria could be updated.
“The idea that the minimum age should move up to 50 is straight up terrible and should be shot down immediately,” shared Rast. “Daniel's proposal of two players inducted each year and every other year or third year they should induct a non-player is valid. The way the HOF is currently structured means a non-player will never get in, moving forward.
"I'm not saying that means many industry members don't deserve to get in. That's why a change should be made to the rules so that they're separated and can get in every third year — people such as Isai Scheinberg, Matt Savage, and others.”
Mori Eskandani – 'If 5 people deserve it, let's do it'
Hall of Famer Mori Eskandani, the producer of many of the game’s most popular TV shows such as Poker After Dark and High Stakes Poker, and the current president of PokerGO products, shared his take.
“I've always questioned myself; how do people get nominated? And that's by popular open votes, right? I’m not sure if that's the right way to go about it.
"I wish there was a group/committee of let’s say 100 people, both in the overall industry/media and the current Hall of Famers to elect the nominees.
"Let’s say they come to me and ask me to pick 20 people that I think deserve to be in the HOF. I submit my list, as would everyone else on the committee. And because there is a committee of up to 100 industry people involved, you can cross-reference the picks and get your list of 10 or 20 nominees to then select that year’s honoree.
"I would prefer that process. But I also believe if there are five deserving people to put in during any one year, then let’s do it.”
Mike Matusow speaks out
Many players and fans have been advocating for Mike Matusow to be inducted since he turned 40, seventeen years ago.
When PokerOrg approached Mike as he was running deep in the WSOP $5K Senior event, he was very candid on his chances of being inducted into the HOF.
“The HOF’s voting system is horrible,” shared Matusow. “It’s a popularity contest. They're just going to pick the guys they play high stakes cash with. I mean, Nick Schulman 100% deserves to be in, but my point is I should have been in 10 years ago. I'll just keep grinding away and trying my best.”
David Lappin can’t stay quiet
Outspoken journalist, player and The Chip Race co-podcaster David Lappin focused on the HOF age requirements and the lack of international inductees.
“I think that the age for eligibility should be increased to 50 years old so that the test of time is even more proven,” shared Lappin. "I think in an ideal world, the Hall of Fame would be voted on by media 75% and existing members the other 25%. There is a problem now with existing membership being so influential because they are mostly out of touch.
"As a European, there is a very real sense that there is a bias for WSOP bracelets and Bobby’s Room. It was certainly nice to see Patrik [Antonius] deservedly inducted last year, but non-Americans make up 10 of the 61 inductees, and that’s not adequately reflective of poker.”
The time is now — increase the inductees each year
What’s the solution?
The most touted path forward is to increase the yearly Poker Hall of Fame inductees. If someone deserves to be in, they should be in, surely? Regardless of artificial restrictions. And adding one industry member to induct every other year, as has been put forth by a number of current HOF members, seems like the only way to get other deserving figures in.
Ty Stewart said, "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.”
We think that time is now, and we think changes should be made before the 2026 nominees. If you're a member of the HoF and agree that too many deserving figures are likely to get overlooked, we urge you to help bring in the changes needed.
Physical Hall of Fame
There's a lot to celebrate about the game and its heroes. We also think it's time for a physical location for the Poker Hall of Fame, so fans and players can enjoy the game’s history and the memories that come along with it.
It wouldn't even need to be a year-long thing. It could be open during the WSOP each summer to provide a focal point for the game and its history.
Tell us what you think
What changes do you think need to be made to improve the Poker Hall of Fame? PokerOrg values your opinion. Comment below.
Here are this year’s 10 Poker Hall of Fame finalists:
The Poker Hall of Fame's newest honoree will be announced during the Poker Hall of Fame Bounty NLH event on this Saturday, July 12.
Who’s your pick to get in and why?
- Jeremy Ausmus
- 'Miami' John Cernuto
- Ted Forrest
- Phil Galfond
- Kathy Liebert
- Mike Matusow
- Matt Savage
- Isai Scheinberg
- Nick Schulman
- Scott Seiver
