Poker Hall Of Fame Winners

Mrinal
10 Jan 2025
Mrinal Gujare 10 Jan 2025
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  • Introduction to Poker Hall of Fame (PHoF)
  • List of PHoF Inductees
  • Notable Players in the PHoF
Poker Hall of Fame
In this article, we'll take a look at the poker personalities and players who have been inducted into the coveted Poker Hall of Fame over the years.

The Poker Hall of Fame (PHOF), established in 1979 by Benny Binion, owner of the Horseshoe Casino, represents the pinnacle of competition in the poker world. This institution honours both professional players and industry contributors who have made significant impacts on the game of poker.

Initially created to preserve the legacies of great poker players, the PHOF has evolved over time. In 2004, Caesars Entertainment (formerly Harrah's Entertainment) acquired the rights to both the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the PHOF. Currently, the WSOP manages PHOF membership, with 63 inductees as of 2024.

The PHOF inducts one or two members annually based on specific criteria. For players, these include a minimum age of 40, experience in high-stakes games, consistent performance, peer respect, and longevity in the field. Non-players may be considered for their lasting contributions to poker's growth and success.

In 2009, the induction process was modified to include public nominations, leading to increased interest from the poker community. This change also resulted in the implementation of the 40-year age requirement to ensure nominees have established long-term careers in poker.

The induction ceremony takes place alongside the WSOP Main Event final table. The physical award, designed by R.S Owens & Company, is an 8-inch glass piece featuring a sandblasted hand of cards, the inductee's name, and the PHOF title, along with gold embellishments.

List of Poker Hall of Fame Winners

Year of InductionPlayer
1979 Johnny Moss
1979 Nick Dandolos
1979 Felton McCorquodale
1979 Red Winn
1979 Sid Wyman
1979 James Butler Hickok
1979 Edmond Hoyle
1980 T Forbes
1981 Bill Boyd
1982 Tom Abdo
1983 Joe Bernstein
1984 Murph Harrold
1985 Red Hodges
1986 Henry Green
1987 Walter Clyde Pearson
1988 Doyle Brunson
1988 Jack Straus
1989 Fred Ferris
1990 Benny Binion
1991 David Reese
1992 Thomas Austin Preston
1993 Jack Keller
1996 Julius Oral Popwell
1997 Roger Moore
2001 Stu Ungar
2002 Lyle Berman
2002 Johnny Chan
2003 Bobby Baldwin
2004 Berry Johnston
2005 Crandell Addington
2005 Jack Binion
2006 Billy Baxter
2006 J. Cloutier
2007 Barbara Enright
2007 Phil Hellmuth
2008 Henry Orenstein
2008 Duane Tomko
2009 Mike Sexton
2010 Dan Harrington
2010 Erik Seidel
2011 Barry Greenstein
2011 Linda Johnson
2012 Eric Drache
2012 Brian Roberts
2013 Tom McEvoy
2013 Scotty Nguyen
2014 Jack McClelland
2014 Daniel Negreanu
2015 Jennifer Harman
2015 John Juanda
2016 Todd Brunson
2016 Carlos Mortensen
2017 Phil Ivey
2017 David Ulliott
2018 John Hennigan
2018 Mori Eskandani
2019 Chris Moneymaker
2019 David Oppenheim
2020 Huck Seed
2021 Eli Elezra
2022 Layne Flack
2023 Brian Rast
2024 Patrik Antonius

Notable inductees include Johnny Moss, the first WSOP Main Event winner and inaugural PHOF member; Doyle Brunson, known as the "Godfather of Poker" with 10 WSOP bracelets; and Stu Ungar, a three-time WSOP Main Event champion. Other distinguished members are Johnny Chan, Phil Hellmuth (holder of 17 WSOP bracelets), Barbara Enright (the first female inductee), GGPoker ambassador Daniel Negreanu, and WPT Global ambassador Phil Ivey.

Recent inductees have further diversified the PHOF. Brian Rast, a six-time WSOP bracelet winner, joined in 2023. The 2024 class welcomed Patrik Antonius, a former tennis professional with nearly $23 million in live tournament winnings, notable for his induction without a WSOP bracelet.
The PHOF roster includes various poker luminaries such as Billy Baxter, T.J. Cloutier, Mike Sexton, Erik Seidel, Scotty Nguyen, Chris Moneymaker, and Eli Elezra, each contributing uniquely to poker's legacy.

Finally...

The Poker Hall of Fame serves as a historical record of poker's evolution and its most influential figures. It not only recognises individual achievements but also reflects the changing landscape of the game, from its early days to its current status as a global phenomenon. 

As poker continues to evolve, the PHOF will likely adapt its criteria and selection process to ensure it remains a true representation of excellence in the world of poker, honouring both traditional accomplishments and innovative contributions to the game.

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