Currently, the 2014 Poker Hall of Fame finalists are being voted on by living members and a media panel. Typically, we would be debating which players should win or who should have been included in these nominations. However, today I will be sharing three suggestions on how the Poker Hall of Fame voting procedure could be modified.
Is Fan Voting Merely a Useless Gimmick?
Several years ago, the WSOP brought in the idea of fan voting to spark interest in the Poker Hall of Fame. However, issues arose immediately when fans attempted to nominate Tom “durrrr” Dwan as a finalist. Initially, he made it onto the list, but was later removed due to not meeting the “test of time” requirement.
From that point onward, the list of finalists has included a mix of worthy participants, players who were clearly chosen for their good performance that year, and well-liked poker players. Every year, a number of players inevitably find themselves left out, with John Juanda potentially being the most significant omission this year.
The truth is, the majority of fans lack the extensive knowledge necessary to make such a decision. Consequently, it turns into a mere popularity contest, with some of the most deserving individuals not even reaching the list of finalists.
Perhaps it’s time to reconsider or limit fan voting to just a few places on the finalist list. We could assign a committee of poker historians to select eight candidates from the list, and then allow fans to vote for the remaining two. This way, we could clearly indicate which candidates are fan choices, ensuring fan participation while maintaining a balanced list of candidates.
Online Poker Cannot Be Overlooked
Recently, Daniel Negreanu expressed that Gus Hansen should be nominated for the Poker Hall of Fame. However, this suggestion appears absurd considering his online poker performance. It is undeniable that Hansen is an exceptional live player and the epitome of the maniac playing style. In online games, he is the sought-after big fish, and high-stakes poker games are often organized around his bankroll.
When considering players for the Poker Hall of Fame, online poker cannot be overlooked anymore. For instance, Chris Moorman, who is arguably one of the best poker players ever, has achieved most of his success online. If a player with such credentials were in the live arena, they would virtually be a guaranteed selection.
Many of the leading players in today’s live games initially started in the online platform. Neglecting the aspect of their game that elevated them to the highest level is not doing justice to the player or the online game.
Guidelines for the Hall of Fame are Required in Tournament Poker
The Poker Hall of Fame was established at a time when tournament poker was a minor element of the poker industry, and not being able to play high stakes cash games meant you weren’t regarded as a top-tier player.
In today’s world, tournament poker is the driving force behind the game, with many players carving out successful careers from participating in tournaments. This form of poker requires a unique set of skills, leading some to concentrate solely on this version of the game. The potential to transform $500 into $50,000 or $10,000 into $1 million also adds to its appeal.
Many veteran players are fixated on the idea that high stakes games can only be considered as such if they are high stakes cash games. They don’t regard tournaments with a buy-in of $5,000 or more as high stakes.
Casual poker enthusiasts are eager to watch poker tournaments on television, as it’s a game many of them aspire to play. Tournaments are the lifeblood of poker, and top-tier tournament players should have a fair shot at the Poker Hall of Fame without their achievements being undervalued by others.
Modify the criteria and include aspects pertinent to tournaments. For instance, participating in high stakes might encompass tournaments with a minimum entry fee of $5,000. The criteria of “consistently good performance” could be further defined by the kinds of events participated in or a certain number of titles won.
The argument being made is that tournament players should be given the opportunity to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Sports such as baseball induct umpires, executives, and managers who do not actually play the game. Therefore, it would be unjust to exclude a set of deserving players simply because they opt not to participate in Bobby’s Room or high-stakes games on Full Tilt Poker.
