Fans can now vote for the players and contributors they think are most deserving of honor, as the nomination process for the 2014 Poker Hall of Fame Class has opened.
Undertaking the process of nominating someone for the Poker Hall of Fame can be challenging for the typical poker fan. It requires you to clearly state who you’re nominating and why. Furthermore, nominees must fulfill the Poker Hall of Fame’s criteria. But, there’s another layer of complexity – given that poker careers span decades, there’s the tricky task of choosing between today’s famous stars and the deserving but less recognized stars of past eras.
Look, it’s not as easy as you thought, is it?
Obviously, making this decision is always challenging. Even the selection committee, tasked with voting on the final inductees, struggles to reconcile all the complex components involved.
Personally, I believe that the likes of Juanda, Harman, and Negreanu will have their time to shine. Thus, I always root for some of the old timers in poker. There’s no need to choose individuals in their 40s when those 60 and above, who are just as deserving, are present.
Thus, if you’re tired of nominating the same 10 people and unsure about other deserving candidates for the 2014 Poker Hall of Fame, I can guide you. Here are six lesser-known individuals whom I believe are deserving of serious consideration.
Barry Shulman
In 1998, Barry Shulman assumed control of Card Player Magazine from its original founder, June Fields. Under his leadership, the Card Player brand has evolved from a simple print magazine distributed free in poker rooms, to a major online affiliate and one of the most significant content producers in the poker media industry.
For a significant period, Card Player was the sole prominent platform disseminating poker knowledge to the general public, with no disrespect intended to pokerpages, Poker Player Magazine, or Gambling Times.
The current version of Card Player differs slightly from the original website and magazine, but despite some criticisms regarding dubious affiliate ads, it still remains a vital component of poker media.
Shulman is not only a successful poker player who has won several major titles, but he also has notable achievements like winning the 2009 WSOPE Main Event (which is one of his two WSOP bracelets) and securing a 3rd place finish in the 2010 PCA Main Event on his resume.
While Shulman may not merit Hall of Fame recognition for his individual contributions or as a player, the overall value of his career surpasses its individual components.
Bobby Hoff
Despite never winning a WSOP bracelet or making a significant impact in major tournaments, the player who finished second in the 1979 World Series of Poker was one of the era’s top cash game players. Known as “The Wizard” among his fellow players, he managed to score in the Main Event four times, finishing 2nd, 12th, 13th, and 25th.
Hoff’s life was characterized by surmounting hurdles, including dealing with drug problems during his playing days. However, he eventually conquered his personal demons and persisted as a formidable player at the poker tables into his latter years.
In 2013, Hoff died at the age of 73.
Ken Flaton
Ken Flaton, affectionately known as “Skyhawk” – a nickname given to him by Stu Ungar, was a formidable tournament and cash game player. His calm and stable demeanor made him a respected figure in the poker world, and he is universally recognized by his peers as one of the ultimate professional poker players.
Ken, a seasoned poker veteran, boasted a WSOP bracelet and an impressive record of 18 Top 10 finishes in WSOP tournaments. Known as a top player in Seven Card Stud cash games, one of his era’s most popular games, Flaton had an extraordinary poker career.
More about Ken Flaton can be read here.
David Sklansky
In the 80’s and 90’s, poker was not promoted through websites or TV shows, resulting in very few poker players being widely recognized.
Indeed, during this period, the most renowned figures in poker were typically the authors of poker guidebooks. David Sklansky, who made significant contributions to educating the public about poker in the 80’s and 90’s, was among them. His books continue to be popular and extensively read even today.
You probably owe part of your successes as a serious poker player before the Poker Boom to David Sklansky.
Sklansky’s impressive resume as a player includes successful performances in both cash games, specifically in middle limit games, and tournaments. His accolades in tournaments consist of a WSOP bracelet, two second-place finishes at the WSOP, and a third-place finish at the WPT Borgata Poker Open.
Mike Caro
Mike Caro also makes the list if Sklansky does.
Caro was to Sklansky’s straightforward mathematical analysis as a theoretician, and his Book of Poker Tells is one of the most popular poker titles, possibly on par with Super System.
In the late 90s and early 2000s, Caro was a prominent figure in poker, leading to his role as the face of Planet Poker, the first online poker site.
Caro was also regarded as one of the most proficient Five Card Draw players of his time, demonstrating his expertise by writing the chapter on Draw Poker in Doyle Brunson’s Super System.
Terry Rogers
Should you be in search of a less conventional nominee (the “appealing” pick), I would recommend considering Terry Rogers. This Irish bookmaker, who became a No Limit Holdem enthusiast, essentially initiated the worldwide spread of the game by reintroducing No Limit to Ireland.
After visiting Vegas during the WSOP, Rogers developed a love for No Limit Holdem. He brought it back to Ireland and established his Eccentrics Club, a place where all enthusiasts of Irish poker could gather.
Rogers is also the creator of the Irish Poker Open, which is the second longest running tournament in poker history.
Here’s an obscure poker read on the internet that’s quite intriguing: Green Day.
