​The Poker Hall of Fame Announced Nominees for 2015

The Poker Hall of Fame Governing Council yesterday released the 10 finalists for inclusion in this year’s Hall of Fame voting process.

The public nominations comprise of four new finalists and six previously nominated players, including the likes of Jennifer Harman, Carlos Mortensen and the late Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott.

Joining them in the newly-announced Class of 2015 final line-up are Thomas Bjorin, David Chiu, Bruno Fitoussi, John Juanda, Max Pescatori, Terri Rogers and Matt Savage. Both Bjorin and Harman have now been nominated for four years running.

Established in 1979, The Poker Hall of Fame was sold along with the World Series of Poker to Harrah’s Entertainment in 2004, and it is during the WSOP Main Event in November that a special dinner and induction service will be held, at the famous Binion’s Gambling Hall in Las Vegas.

To decide on the lucky one (or sometimes two) individuals to be inducted, all 10 names will be voted on by a mixture of 23 living Hall of Famers and a 16-strong blue ribbon media panel.

For players to be eligible for the Hall of Fame they must have met several strict criteria:

• Having played poker against acknowledged top opposition;
• Played for high stakes;
• Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers;
• Be at least 40 years old at the time of nomination;
• In the case of non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.

Should Jennifer Harman (right) win through the voting process she will become only the 3rd woman to join the illustrious ranks after Barbara Enright (2007) and Linda Johnson (2011).

Last year’s inductees were Bellagio poker room manager Jack McClelland and Daniel ‘Kid Poker’ Negreanu.