Negreanu Destined For Hall Of Fame This Year?

The list of ten 2014 finalists for a place in the Poker Hall of Fame has been published and to no one’s surprise Daniel Negreanu is on it.

Negreanu Likely To Be Inducted

• Poker Hall of Fame set up in 1979

• High standards of play required to be considered

• US gambling laws changing may mean more players

The Poker Hall of Fame was set up in 1979 by Horseshoe Casino owner at the time, Benny Binion, who felt there should be somewhere in Las Vegas that celebrated the legacy of some of the world’s greatest poker players, and, c’mon this is Vegas we’re talking about, be a tourist attraction to his casino. Binion was a master of such marketing strokes already having sparked the World Series of Poker a decade before, and when Caesars Entertainment took ownership of the rights to that WSOP, it also gained the Hall of Fame to which 46 players have been inducted over the years.

Looking set to join them is Daniel Negreanu who just turned the requisite 40 to be in consideration for a place in 2014. Certainly he made the list of 10 finalists and with at least two of them likely to join the hallowed ranks recalled in the hall, he seems almost certain to make it. Well known in US poker rooms from coast to coast this fiery player of steely control has been playing for 20 years and has done much for the game’s reputation as an ad-hoc ambassador for poker.

Likely to be included after but a first ballot Negreanu is bound to be at the celebrations for this years inductees on November 9th in Las Vegas as are the other names on that final 10 list. They include Mike Matusow, a man of many words, Huck Seed who has won the WSOP main event, and one of the most successful tournament directors around, Jack McClelland. Alongside them are Chris Bjorin, Humberto Brenes, Bruno Fitoussi, Ted Forrest, Jennifer Harman (the only lady up for consideration this year), Bob Hooks, and Huckleberry Seed.

To gain a place in the Poker Hall of Fame it is said a gambler need to have played against acknowledged top competition, played for high stakes, played consistently well enough to gain the respect of their peers, and stood the test of time. With non-players having to have contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker with indelible positive and lasting results. Gambling news writers pretty much confirm that Negreanu is a sure bet this year citing his career and demeanor.