Poker Hall of Fame

History and Early inductees

Where Legends Began

Nine years after the first World Series of Poker (WSOP) was played, in 1979 Benny Binion established the Poker Hall of Fame to acknowledge not only the best poker players in history, but impactful individuals who helped grow the game.

Originally stationed in the Binion’s Horseshoe on Las Vegas’ Fremont Street (now Binion’s), the inaugural Poker Hall of Fame class in 1979 included the likes of Nick “The Greek” Dandolos, Wild Bill Hickock, and three-time WSOP Main Event winner Johnny Moss.

This institution was created to preserve poker’s rich history and honor those who shaped its legacy. As the WSOP grew into a global phenomenon, so too did the prestige of being inducted into its Hall of Fame.

The first inductees into the Poker Hall of Fame Photo 1

The first inductees into the Poker Hall of Fame Photo 2

The first inductees into the Poker Hall of Fame: Nick “The Greek” Dandolos (left) and Johnny Moss (right)

The Path to Poker Immortality

Since 2009, admittance into the Poker Hall of Fame has been based on the following criteria

Beyond victories

Respected by Peers
A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
Age of Experience
Be a minimum of 40 years old at time of nomination
High Stakes Experience
Played for high stakes
Consistent Excellence
Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers
Legacy That Lasts
Stood the test of time
Shaped the Game
Or, for non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.

Special Honorees

In the first decade of its existence, the Poker Hall of Fame would rightfully induct some of the founding fathers of the WSOP, including Doyle Bruson and Puggy Pearson.

While poker players like Phil Hellmuth, Patrik Antonious, and Phil Ivey help make up the Poker Hall of Fame, individuals that have made a lasting, positive impact on poker have earned a place in their own right.

2011 inductees Linda Johnson, referred to as The First Lady of Poker, helped form the Tournament Directors Association and served on its initial Board of Directors. The famed publisher of Card Player Magazine also won a bracelet at the 1997 WSOP in the $1,500 Seven Card Razz event.

Welcomed into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2018, PokerGO president Mori Eskandani was honored for producing video coverage of famous events including the WSOP, Poker After Dark, and High Stakes Poker.

2011 Poker Hall of Fame inductees and WSOP bracelet winner Linda Johnson

The New Home of the Poker Hall of Fame

In 2023, after becoming the official home of the WSOP the Las Vegas Horseshoe on The Strip also became the official home of the Poker Hall of Fame.

Displaying pictures of each inductees on a wall right next to the Horseshoe’s WSOP Hall of Fame Poker Room, the Poker Hall of Fame has found a home in the same building poker players build their legacies every year.

A number of Poker Hall of Fame inductees posing in front of the Hall of Fame Poker Room at the Horseshoe

WSOP Poker Hall of Famers

Founded in 1979, the Poker Hall of Fame honors the world's greatest poker players and is considered the highest honor in poker.
Meet the players who have made the biggest impact on the game.

2025