Beloved tournament director and Hall of Famer Jack McClelland (1951–2025) has passed away, WSOP and PokerGO announced today on X.
McClelland was the tournament director for the WSOP from 1984 to 1998. He oversaw some of the most iconic Main Events in poker history, including the crowning of historic champions such as Johnny Chan, Stu Ungar, Dan Harrington, Huck Seed, and Scotty Nguyen.
Next stop on McClelland’s legendary industry journey was the position of tournament director for the Bellagio Casino poker room from 2002 to 2013.
He would oversee his final event at the renowned Bellagio and retire at the conclusion of the World Poker Tour’s 2013 Five Diamond Classic. The following year, McClelland became the 48th inductee into the WSOP Hall of Fame as an industry contributor alongside player inductee, Daniel Negreanu.
Tributes from old friends
PokerOrg contacted the Executive Tour Director for the WPT, Matt Savage, who worked alongside McClelland for numerous years at the WSOP and many of the earliest WPT tournaments at the Bellagio.
“Jack McClelland was not only a friend but a pioneer and instrumental in the growth of tournament poker. I will fondly remember his time at Bellagio and the support of the WPT in the early days when it was the inaugural venue on the tour. Rest in peace, Jack.”
PokerOrg also reached out to 2009 WSOPE Main Event Champion and former CardPlayer magazine owner Barry Shulman.
“Jack has been a friend, fellow poker player, and even an investor in my business for 30 years. I never heard him say a cross word. After every single business report, he always said, ‘Thanks for the good work,’ no matter how dismal or successful things might be at the time. He will be missed.”
Among many other tributes to have been expressed following the news on Monday are messages from the likes of Phil Hellmuth and the WSOP.
McClelland’s early days
During an in-depth interview with CardPlayer magazine’s Erik Fast in 2013, McClelland reminisced about how he got into the casino business.
“I wanted to get into the Casino business,” said McClelland. “I ran into a guy who was a dealer and the Sahara, and he had me go see his boss, and I eventually got hired for $18 a day. After about 18 months, I became a shift manager. Eric Drache, who was the director of the WSOP back then, asked me if I’d like to come down and run a shift. I worked there as the assistant tournament director, and by two years later, I was the Director, and I’ve been running tournaments ever since.”
Soon thereafter, McClelland was offered a position at Bellagio as the resident TD. During his time there, one of the most significant innovations in televised poker was introduced, which changed the game for viewers and poker fans worldwide.
“I started in mid-March of 2002, and about two weeks later, here comes Steve Lipscombe, Mike Sexton, and Lyle Berman, and they had this crazy idea for showing hole cards on TV for the World Poker Tour. Once the WPT hit the TV the following year, it was the perfect storm.
"I’m pretty proud that over 37 years in gaming, I’ve never had a gaming violation or employee complaints. If I’ve improved the game of poker any at all over the years by rules or things I’ve done, then I feel like I’ve had a successful career.”
A player for life
McClelland was not only a stalwart fixture as a tournament director but also as an avid player with over $500,000 in tournament cashes.
McClelland’s last recorded cash occurred a month ago on July 18 at a $240 NLH event at the Wynn Casino, Las Vegas.
PokerOrg celebrates the life and legacy of Jack McClelland, honoring his immense contributions to the game of poker while extending our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Images courtesy of World Poker Tour/Enrique Malfavon/Joe Giron Photography.
