Over the past few years there has been a growing consensus in poker-playing circles that the WSOP Poker Hall of Fame induction system has reached a point where changes are needed.
With a ton of outstanding players who will soon turn 40 (the minimum age required for admission), and just one admitted each year, the backlog of deserving players is only set to grow. With GGPoker purchasing the WSOP brand last year, is now the time to shake things up?
One player who thinks so is GGPoker ambassador Daniel Negreanu, who has put forward some ideas on possible improvements to the current system. The biggest change? Multiple inductees each year.
And in an exclusive chat with PokerOrg, Negreanu also tipped his own choice of nominee for the Class of 2025 - see below.
Negreanu makes his case
2014 Hall of Fame inductee Negreanu posted his proposals for the induction of player(s) and industry-eligible nominees each year.
Negreanu: Poker Hall of Fame changes I would push for:
- Two players each year
- 1 industry person every three years
Change the voting system from 10 votes to whomever to ranked voting. You must choose three.
- 1st: 5 points
- 2nd: 3 points
- 3rd: 2 points
I suspect this year we will see the following front runners:
Nick Schulman, Scott Seiver, Ted Forrest, and Miami John.
Industry Person: Isai Scheinberg
'Lots of contentious debate'
PokerOrg reached out to Negreanu with a few quick-fire questions on this hot topic, as well as some insight into who he thinks is most deserving of the four players he name-checked in his tweet.
There is such a backlog - is it still important to limit the numbers?
There needs to be a balance between it being too easy and too difficult in terms of numbers each year.
Mike Matusow has made a very vocal case for inclusion. Do you think he has a realistic shot of getting in?
Unless the criteria are changed, Matusow is behind several players for consideration.
Is there a middle ground that clears the backlog and reverts to your suggestions?
I think my ideas will still allow for lots of contentious debate each year, which is a good thing.
Should there be a brick-and-mortar Hall of Fame that also acts as a museum of the great game of poker?
Yes, there should be a physical Hall Of Fame. I can see that happening.
Of the four players you named, who do you think is the most deserving to be inducted in 2025?
Players react
Many players and fans responded to Negreanu's post with informed opinions - and a few outlandish suggestions.
Matt Berkey felt the backlog would only continue to grow with such limited numbers inducted each year, even under Negreanu's suggested new system.
How about a system akin to Major League Baseball?
Phil Galfond is a '1st ballot guy'.
Has Matt Savage's time finally come?
Losers should be celebrated too!
What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
