Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott & Phil Ivey Inducted Into WSOP HOF

(Photo: Cardschat.com)

It was a high-class shortlist up for consideration this year, but after the votes were tallied, Phil Ivey and Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott were named as the 53rd and 54th inductees into the Poker Hall of Fame.

Ten players were nominated by the public, including Mike Matusow, Ted Forrest and Huck Seed, but the 27 living Poker Hall of Fame members, as well as an 18-person Blue Ribbon Media Panel, decided that Ivey and Ulliott – who died two years ago, were the most deserving of the honour, joining the likes of Stu Ungar, Jennifer Harman, Johnny Chan and Jack Binion.

Phil Ivey said of his award:

“I want to thank the living members of the Poker Hall of Fame as well as the media who voted for me to be part of the Poker Hall of Fame. It’s an honor to be inducted alongside legends like Chip Reese and Doyle Brunson.”

A household name even to many who don’t play poker, Ivey was described by the PHOF Governing Council as “the youngest player in WSOP history to amass 10 victories, and just this year turned the required minimum age of 40 to be considered for Poker Hall of Fame induction.”

Ivey added:

“I love the game of poker and the game has done a lot for me.  I am one of the lucky people who has been able to make a living playing a game which was always my passion. Thankfully, I’m just as passionate about the game today as when I first stepped into Binion’s Horseshoe to play my first-ever WSOP. Thank you to my family, my friends, and all the poker fans across the world that supported me on this journey.”

Dave ‘Devilfish Ulliott “gets the ultimate recognition in poker for his role in growing the game in England”, stated the Governing Council, who described him as “a fixture on Late Night Poker throughout Europe, which helped show the game of poker on television… a true character who captivated audiences and kept them tuning in.  He won a WSOP gold bracelet at the 1997 World Series of Poker and was a fixture at poker tournaments for more than two decades.”

Ulliott, who won over $6million in his poker career, had a ‘colourful’ background of safe-cracking, theft and various run-ins with the law. When he discovered poker, however, his life changed forever. His family said of his induction:  

“As a family we would like to thank the general public, media and current Poker Hall of Fame members that voted David into the Poker Hall of Fame. We know he will be up there strumming on his guitar and probably asking what took so long! How he might say it - I think you all know! There isn't a day that goes past when we don’t think of him and miss him but today we are so proud and delighted that he takes his rightful place in poker history.”

The Poker Hall of Fame Governing Council also made a point to “recognize and congratulate” the other 2017 finalists, all whom remain eligible for future induction: David Chiu, Mori Eskandani, Ted Forrest, Thor Hansen, Mike Matusow, Max Pescatori, Matt Savage and Huckleberry Seed.