The logjam of players eligible for the Poker Hall of Fame finally might be over.
The World Series of Poker announced several changes to the voting process that should enable multiple players to be inducted each year.
Previously, only one new member was inducted each summer. The notable exception was in 2025 when Michael Mizrachi was voted directly into the Poker Hall of Fame by the 33 living members after winning the the $10,000 buy-in No-limit Hold’em World Championship Main Event.
Las Vegas resident Nick Schulman also was voted into the Poker Hall of Fame last year.
Big changes to how the Poker Hall of Fame is decided
• Public nominates players (Over the age of 40)
• Top 8 make the final list
• 33 Living Hall of Fame members vote (up to 4 votes each)
• 2/3 majority = automatic induction
• If no majority, highest vote-getter gets in
•… pic.twitter.com/Nv3dycAEQh— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) June 13, 2026
The new voting criteria give the living Poker Hall of Fame members up to four votes each. The public will nominate players, with the top eight vote-getters named finalists.
Any finalist who receives a 2/3 majority of the votes will be automatically inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. If none of the finalists receive a majority, the highest vote-getter will be inducted.
Under the new format, as many as six players could be inducted each year.
There are numerous players and poker industry icons who are eligible and are still awaiting induction into the Poker Hall of Fame. Mizrachi, an eight-time WSOP event winner, might have faced stiff competition for induction this summer had he not received the special exemption.
The list of players who became eligible this summer include eight-time WSOP winner and two-time WSOP Player of the Year Shaun Deeb, high-stakes pros Justin Bonomo, Isaac Haxton and Jason Koon, three-time WSOP champion John Racener and more.
That does not include holdovers like seven-time WSOP winners Josh Arieh and Scott Seiver, six-time champion Jeremy Ausmus or legendary figures from the poker boom of the early 2000s such as Mike Matusow and Antonio Esfandiari who are all awaiting induction.
To be inducted, nominees must be a minimum of 40 years old and have:
— Played poker against acknowledged top competition for high stakes.
— Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers.
— Have a legacy that lasts and stood the test of time.
Non-players must have contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker.
The nomination period for the Poker Hall of Fame runs through June 20, and the enshrinement ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Main Event final table in August.
Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on X.
