Poker Hall of Fame

Poker is a game that has it's legends and characters. And although there are no simple ways to measure the success of the millions of cardplayers competing in games that range from Triple Draw 2 to 7 Lowball, to the enormously popular no Limit Texas Holdem, there is a list of players who rise above the restt of the field in status.

Names like Doyle Brunson, Johnny Moss, and T.J. Cloutier echo in cardrooms everywhere. They all have legendary tales, and legendary success. These players are recognized by the world of poker by their enshrinement into the Poker Hall of Fame.

Anyone can win a card tournament if the poker gods favor him for a few days. So, it takes more than simply winning the "big one" to qualify for membership in the Hall.

Here are the Selection Criteria for the Poker Hall of Fame:

• A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
• They must have played for high stakes
• They must have played consistently well, and gained the respect of peers
• And the have to have stood the test of time

2007 - Phil Hellmuth and Barbara Enright.

2006 - T.J. Cloutier and Billy Baxter.

2005 - Jack Binion and Crandell Addington

2004 - Berry Johnston

2003 - Bobby Baldwin

2002 - Lyle Berman and Johnny Chan

2001 - Stu Ungar

1997 - Roger Moore

1996 - Little Man Popwell

1993 - "Gentlemen" Jack Keller

1992 - Amarillo Slim

1991 - Chip Reese

1990 - Benny Binion

1989 - Fred Ferris

1988 - Jack "Treetops" Straus and Doyle Brunson

1987 - Puggy Pearson

1986 - Henry Green

1985 - Red Hodges

1984 - Murph Harrold

1983 - Joe Bernstein

1982 - Tom Abdo

1981 - Bill Boyd

1980 - T. "Blondie" Forbes

1979 - Edmond Hoyle, Wild Bill Hickock, Sid Wyman, Red Wynn, Felton "Corky" McCorquodale, Nick the Greek Dandolos, Johnny Moss.

His fine reputation is backed up with results. Boyd won four World Series of Poker bracelets in consecutive years, starting in 1971, all in Limit Five-Card Stud.

He managed the Golden Nugget casino from its opening day in 1946 until it closed. Such was his reputation in the game he was dealt the first poker hand at the Golden Nugget and also at the Mirage card room.

It was whilst in control of the casino that he helped popularise Omaha Hold ‘em after the game’s inventor, Robert Turner, contacted Boyd for his assistance. For a while this version was called Nugget Hold ‘em in homage to Boyd’s help with the game. ‘Chip Burner’ Turner has won more than a million dollars from tournament play and has one World Series of Poker bracelet to his name – for winning the 1993 Limit 7 Card Stud.

Such was his devotion to poker, Boyd continued to live close to the action in Las Vegas until his death in 1997, aged 91.

Sid Wyman
Although never a World Series of Poker winner, Sid Wyman’s skills playing Texas Hold ‘em and his reputation running some of Las Vegas’ top casinos earned him a place as one of the original members of the Poker Hall of Fame, the year following his death.

Born in St Louis, Missouri in 1910 he was survived by his two brothers, Joe and Lou, and a sister, Belle, when he passed away in June 1978.

During his lifetime he was co-owner of several casinos and hotels in Nevada including The Sands, Riviera and The Dunes. He was hugely popular among both punters and workersl during his funeral, play was halted for two minutes to commemorate him.

After Wyman’s death, The Dunes hotel was taken over by an attorney, Morris Shenker, and within a decade the place went from one of the top resorts on the Las Vegas strip to one struggling to compete.

Steve Wynn bought the casino in 1992 and had it knocked down within 12 months. In 1998, he built the Bellagio in its place and the 164-acre resort is once again seen as one of the best in the business.

Felton McCorquodale
Felton McCorquodale, better known as Corky, was one of the original seven members of the Poker Hall of Fame inducted in 1979.

He was a respected no-limit player and McCorquodale is the man credited with bringing the Texas Hold ‘em variety of poker to Las Vegas, in 1963. Since McCorquodale’s death Texas Hold ‘em has now become one of the most popular forms of the game.

Red Winn
One of the original members of the Poker Hall of Fame, Red Winn was inducted because of his reputation as a brilliant all-round poker player.

T. "Blondie" Forbes
T. “Blondie” Forbes was the first player to be enshrined after the original batch of inductees to the Poker Hall of Fame. Forbes got the call up in 1980 after making his name as a master road gambler who would clear out one town before moving on to the next.

Tom Abdo
Tom Abdo became the tenth member of the Poker Hall of Fame when he was introduced in 1982. Abdo was completely devoted to the game, and died from a heart attack he suffered whilst playing. As he was leaving the table he asked another player to count his chips and save his seat but he was unfortunately unable to return.

Joe Bernstein
Joe Bernstein was a gambler who played on the road and was well known because he always dressed up for the occasion. He won a World Series of Poker bracelet in 1973 in the Limit Ace to Five Draw and was enshrined to the Poker Hall of Fame ten years later.

His legend lives on as he has a hand named after him in hold ‘em; if you are dealt a 6 and a 9 (of any suit) you have been given a ‘Joe Bernstein’. Of course, there are slightly more risqué terms for the hand such as the big lick, dinner for two, the good lover and a good position.

Murph Harrold
Murph Harrold entered the Poker Hall of Fame in 1984 as he is regarded as one of the best ever players of Deuce to Seven Draw.

Red Hodges
Thought by many to be one of the greatest ever Seven-Card Stud players, Red Hodges was elected to the Poker Hall of Fame in 1985.

Henry Green
Hailing from Alabama, Henry Green was a roving gambler who played in the company of fellow poker greats such as Johnny Moss and Little Man Popwell. The southerner was known for his even temper and his ability to turn his hand to any variant of the game. In 1986 he received his call up to the Poker Hall of Fame.