‘There can be only one’ is a popular line from numerous movies and so it is for the Poker Hall of Fame, but which of the ten nominees will get the nod this year?
The 10 possibles were named yesterday by the WSOP, and include English poker legend, original Hendon Mobster Barny Boatman, PokerStars founder Isai Scheinberg, highstakes hero Patrik Antonius and all-round legend Mike “The Mouth” Matusow.
The full list below is in alphabetical order:
- Patrik Antonius
- Josh Arieh
- Barny Boatman
- ‘Miami’ John Cernuto
- Ted Forrest
- Kathy Liebert
- Mike Matusow
- Matt Savage
- Isai Scheinberg
- Bill Smith
The list was a result of public nominations and all nominees had to meet the following criteria:
- A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
- Played for high stakes
- Be a minimum of 40 years old at time of nomination
- Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers
- Stood the test of time
- Or, for non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.
Last year saw Brian Rast added to the ranks of the PHoF alumni, which includes Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Phil Hellmuth, Mike Sexton, Phil Ivey, and Daniel Negreanu…
There it is: The Horseshoe Hall of Fame poker room Hall of Fame gallery! 🥰 @WSOP pic.twitter.com/Rg1z5ZMTo4
— Christin Maschmann (@NICEANDSUNNY) July 13, 2023
The WSOP stated: “ With one new member inducted annually, the nominees are carefully considered by the living Poker Hall of Fame members, who will allocate a ballot of 10 total points to determine this year’s inductee.”
Boatman and ‘Miami’ John Cernuto are the two nominees new to the process, the others having been nominated before but so far missing out on the “win”.
Boatman, a Londoner, joined forces with his brother Ross, an actor, and friends Ram Vaswami and Joe Beevers to bring poker to British TV screens. Late Night Poker showcased their talents and introduced the game to many new players in the UK.
Cernuto has more than $6million to his name in tournament earnings and three WSOP gold bracelets, and in 2020 coincidentally received the “Hendon Mob” (by this time a GPI-owned brand) award for his lifetime cashes record.
Actor and poker fanatic James Woods quickly promoted his friend’s nomination…
My dear friend and poker mentor, Miami John Cernuto, was nominated to the Poker Hall of Fame today!
I would like to thank all the wonderful players who voted for him. He’s a tremendous champion, friend, father, and teacher. This honor is something he deeply appreciates, I know.… pic.twitter.com/3qun7RXtrK
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) July 2, 2024
…while others had different notions, Ryan Laplante tweeting his top 4: “My preference: Isai, Miami John, Kathy, Antonius. No reason HoF shouldn’t be at 2 inductees per year. Or even 2 players, 1 industry per.”
Kathy Liebert, also nominated last year, bids to become the first female inductee since Jennifer Harman in 2015, and the 4th overall alongside Linda Johnson (2011) and Barbara Enright (2007).
This year sees the announcement of the winner changed slightly from its usual Main Event announcement, this time coinciding with a special event:
“All living Poker Hall of Fame members are invited to freeroll into this year’s Event No. 95: Poker Hall of Fame Bounty No-Limit Hold’em, which begins on Sunday, July 14. In the event, every Poker Hall of Famer participant will be allotted a bounty corresponding to their induction year.
“The 2024 Poker Hall of Fame inductee will be announced during the event, followed by an unveiling of the inductee’s Hall of Fame picture at the WSOP Hall of Fame Poker Room, which opened inside Horseshoe Las Vegas in 2023.”
Who do you think most deserves to be the 2024 Poker Hall of Fame inductee? Let us know on our social media channels!
