Poker Hall of Fame Nominations Stay Public

Thanks to extensive media coverage of the world’s largest high stakes tournaments, over the last few years poker has become something of a public sport, and (despite all odds) pro poker players have become instant celebrities. You can follow their blogs, read their books, even catch them competing on reality TV. So if millions of screaming tweens can vote on their favorite dancers, singers, and models then why can’t adult poker fans vote on their favorite pros? Now they can.

This week the people at WSOP kicked off their 40th Annual World Series of Poker with a few special announcements. The instant gratification offered by online poker and online poker news has spoiled the at-home crowd, and they’ll no doubt be pleased to hear that this year they’ll even get a say in the Poker Hall of Fame nominations. And who better to decide which names deserve the honor than millions of adoring amateurs and stats stalkers?

If you want to play your part in writing poker history, then you have from the time you read this article until July 2 to nominate a player. If you feel the need to validate your fandom, the form also allows for a 250-word essay. To ensure worthy nominees, the WSOP has released the following criteria:

• Players must have competed against other top players.
• Players must compete at the high stakes level.
• Players must have a good reputation and a history of wins.
• All nominees should be long-term members of the poker community.
• Non-player nominations must have made influential changes of long-term significance in the industry.

The Top 10 nominees will be revealed during this year’s Main Event, and the two winners will be announced in a special ceremony at the final table of the Main Event in November.