The eligibility rules, official member list and Horseshoe Las Vegas display are documented by the World Series of Poker.

What Is the Poker Hall of Fame?

The Poker Hall of Fame is an institution created to preserve poker history and honor people who have helped shape the game.

Its membership includes legendary cash-game players, World Series of Poker champions, mixed-game specialists, tournament professionals, casino executives, tournament organizers, publishers, broadcasters and other industry figures.

Winning major tournaments can strengthen a candidate’s case, but induction is not based on a single championship or statistical formula. The Hall evaluates an individual’s complete career, reputation, longevity, level of competition and long-term influence on poker.

The Hall is also not limited to professional players. Non-player candidates may qualify when their work contributed to poker’s growth and produced lasting, positive results. The official Hall highlights Linda Johnson and Mori Eskandani among the contributors whose influence extended well beyond their accomplishments at the table.

History of the Poker Hall of Fame

Benny Binion Establishes the Hall in 1979

Benny Binion established the Poker Hall of Fame in 1979, nine years after the first World Series of Poker was held at Binion’s Horseshoe in Las Vegas.

The inaugural class recognized seven figures connected to poker and gambling history:

• Nick “The Greek” Dandolos

• Red Winn

• Sid Wyman

• Felton “Corky” McCorquodale

• James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok

• Edmond Hoyle

• Johnny Moss

The original concept was broader than honoring tournament results. It was intended to preserve poker’s heritage while recognizing the players and personalities who helped build the game.

The Hall Changes Ownership in 2004

Harrah’s Entertainment acquired the Poker Hall of Fame along with the World Series of Poker in 2004. The Hall subsequently became closely connected with the WSOP’s annual schedule, nomination process and induction announcements.

Public Nominations Become Part of the Process

The modern selection system allows poker fans and members of the public to submit candidates during an announced nomination period.

The Poker Hall of Fame Governing Council reviews the submissions, confirms eligibility and develops the finalist ballot. Public nominations help determine who receives consideration, but the public does not directly select the inductee.

The Hall Receives a Physical Home in Las Vegas

For many years, the Poker Hall of Fame was primarily a ceremonial institution rather than a traditional museum.

In 2023, Horseshoe Las Vegas became its official home. Photographs of the inductees are displayed near the property’s WSOP Hall of Fame Poker Room, giving visitors a physical place to view the Hall’s membership.

Two Players Join the 2025 Class

Nick Schulman was selected through the regular voting process in 2025, becoming the Hall’s 64th member in his first year of eligibility.

Five days later, Michael Mizrachi won the 2025 WSOP Main Event after also winning his fourth Poker Players Championship during the same summer. Living Hall of Fame members unanimously approved his immediate induction, making him the 65th member.

Voting Changes for the 2026 Class

The Hall introduced a revised voting format in 2026. Rather than guaranteeing that only one candidate would be selected, the new system allowed every finalist who received support from at least two-thirds of the living members to earn induction.

Jason Koon was the only finalist to reach the required threshold, receiving at least 22 votes from the 33 living inductees and becoming the Hall’s 66th member.

Poker Hall of Fame Eligibility Requirements

Candidates are evaluated under criteria covering age, competition, stakes, performance, respect and long-term impact.

Minimum Age

A candidate must be at least 40 years old at the time of nomination.

The age requirement is intended to give voters enough career history to evaluate whether a candidate has demonstrated sustained excellence and stood the test of time.

Competition Against Top Players

A player candidate must have competed against acknowledged top competition.

Success in small or isolated games is not enough by itself. Voters consider whether the candidate regularly faced elite opponents in major tournaments, high-stakes cash games, mixed games, online poker or other respected forms of competition.

High-Stakes Experience

A player must have competed at high stakes.

The rules do not establish a specific minimum buy-in or cash-game limit. The requirement is therefore evaluated in the context of the candidate’s era, games and competitive environment.

Consistent Excellence

Candidates must have played consistently well and earned the respect of their peers.

One major result may contribute to a résumé, but the Hall is intended to recognize a sustained body of work rather than a short period of success.

Longevity

A candidate must have stood the test of time.

This requirement asks voters to consider whether the player’s accomplishments and reputation remain meaningful over an extended period.

Non-Player Contributions

Non-player candidates may qualify by contributing to the growth and success of poker with positive, lasting results. This category can include tournament directors, casino executives, organizers, publishers, broadcasters, producers, innovators and other industry figures. Longtime tournament director Matt Savage is one prominent example of a contributor repeatedly considered for induction.

Is a WSOP Bracelet Required?

No. The official eligibility criteria do not require a candidate to own a World Series of Poker bracelet.

Bracelets, major titles, cash-game accomplishments and career earnings can provide evidence of competitive success, but voters consider the candidate’s complete contribution to poker. Non-player contributors can also earn induction without building a tournament résumé.

How the Poker Hall of Fame Selection Process Works

The exact dates and voting rules can change. The following process reflects the system used for the 2026 induction class.

1. Public Nominations Open

The WSOP announces a nomination window during which poker players, fans and other members of the community may submit eligible candidates.

Nomination dates are not permanent and should be verified each year.

2. Nominations Are Reviewed

The Poker Hall of Fame Governing Council reviews the public submissions.

The council evaluates whether candidates satisfy the eligibility requirements and determines the final ballot. Receiving a large number of public nominations does not automatically guarantee induction.

3. Finalists Are Announced

The WSOP publishes an official finalist list.

Eight candidates reached the 2026 ballot:

• Shaun Deeb

• Scott Seiver

• Jason Koon

• Isaac Haxton

• Justin Bonomo

• Mike Matusow

• Chris Moorman

• Isai Scheinberg

 

4. Living Hall of Fame Members Vote

Under the revised 2026 format, each living inductee could vote for as many as four finalists, with no more than one vote assigned to the same candidate.

A finalist receiving support from at least two-thirds of the living members qualified for induction. If nobody reached that threshold, the candidate with the most votes would become the year’s lone inductee.

5. The Inductee or Inductees Are Announced

The result is generally announced in connection with the World Series of Poker.

In 2026, Jason Koon became the only candidate to reach the 22-vote threshold required from the 33 living members.

Update note: Because the Hall changed its voting rules in 2026, this section should be checked against the official WSOP announcement before every future nomination cycle.