StaffThe Poker Hall of Fame was created in 1979 in Las Vegas by Benny Binion, the Horseshoe Casino owner. It’s the highest recognition a professional Poker player can get in the game. Some requirements which are necessary for a player to be inducted in the Poker Hall of Fame are –
· Played Poker against acknowledged top competitors
· Played for high stakes
· Played consistently well, gained the respect of peers
· Stood the test of time
Or, for non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of Poker, with indelible positive and lasting results
So far, 58 people have been inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. 31 of them are still with us in this living world; let us take a quick look at all of them.
1. Johnny Moss (1979) – The “Grand old man of Poker” was the fist man to be inducted in the Poker Hall of Fame. He has won 9 WSOP bracelets and is considered one of the Poker greats.
2. Nick Dandolos (1979) – Nick is known for his famous 5-month Poker duel with Johnny Moss, where he reportedly lost $2 Million and then on the last hand stood up and said, “Mr. Moss, I have to let you go.” It was a treat for all the spectators.
3. Felton McCorquodale (1979) – Felton “Corky” McCorquodale is credited for introducing Texas Hold ’em to Las Vegas in 1963.
4. Red Winn (1979) – J.H. Red Winn is considered an all-around poker player and was also inducted in the inaugural year.
5. Sid Wyman (1979) – Sid was a hotel owner and then became a professional poker player and a co-owner of several Las Vegas Casinos like the Sands, Riviera, Royal Nevada, and the Dunes.
6. James Butler Hickok (1979) – Hickok is known as one of the best players of Poker before the 20th Century. He literally died while playing Poker when he was shot in the back in 1876. People say that when he was shot, he had two aces and two eights in his hand, which is now famously called the ‘Dead Man’s Hand’
7. Edmond Hoyle (1979) – Edmund Hoyle was known to be the writer of the rules and regulations of the card games. The phrase “According to Hoyle” was referred to whenever a person wanted to describe the game’s strict rules.
8. Blondie Forbes (1980) – T. “Blondie” Forbes was a poker player and road gambler who was the sole 1980 inductee into the Poker Hall of Fame.
9. Bill Boyd (1981) – With four WSOP bracelets to his name, Bill was also the Director of operations at the famous casino Golden Nugget from 1946 to 1982. He was also responsible for establishing Robert Turner’s game Omaha Hold ’em onto the casino tables.
10. Tom Abdo (1982) – Abdo was also one of the three players to have died while playing Poker. He died from a heart attack. According to the legends, after suffering a heart attack, he asked the other player to count his chips and save his seat.
11. Joe Bernstein (1983) – With a total WSOP winning of $21,000, Joe had one WSOP bracelet to his name.
12. Murph Harrold (1984) – Murph was considered as the best Deuce-to-seven lowball player of his time.
13. Red Hodges (1985) – Another poker legend of his time, Red Hodges, is known for his excellent reading of the game.
14. Henry Green (1986) – Henry was another great player from Alabama who was inducted in the Poker Hall of Fame considering his gaming exploits.
