World Series Of Poker Changes Poker Hall Of Fame Induction Process

The poker world doesn’t agree on anything. Except that the Poker Hall of Fame had a broken induction process.

But that might not be the case anymore.

Late last week, WSOP officials announced the nomination process was open for the Poker Hall of Fame. However, over the weekend, they revealed a big change to the induction process. As a result, this year’s class could be the biggest ever.

Like last year, the nomination process is open to everyone. Through the WSOP website, fans can nominate their favorite players for induction, as long as they fit the qualifications.

Here are the criteria to be inducted:

• Must be at least 40 years old at the time of nomination.
• Must have played for high-stakes.
• Played against acknowledged top competition.
• Must have played consistently well and gained the respect of peers.
• Must have stood the test of time.
• For non-players, they must have contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.

The 2026 Poker Hall of Fame nomination period is now open!

Have your say on who deserves a place among poker’s legends.

Submit your nomination here ⬇️https://t.co/ifcbftgugy pic.twitter.com/rr64qx3TfG

— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) June 11, 2026

The top eight vote getters make the final list and could be inducted later this summer. The real changes to the process come once the list is finalized.

New Hall Of Fame Voting Process Mimics MLB

For most of the post-Moneymaker era of poker, the Poker Hall of Fame inducted two people each year. Even in that setup, many believed there were too many great players getting snubbed.

But starting in 2020, only one player per year was inducted. Consequently, the log jam of deserving players only got longer.

Here’s where things change for 2026. There’s no cap on inductees.

The list of eight nominees is given to the 33 living members of the Hall of Fame. As in previous years, they will have the final decision on who gets in. But unlike prior votes, each member gets four votes. If a nominee receives a two-thirds majority of the votes, he or she automatically gets inducted.

If nobody receives the necessary 22 votes, then the nominee with the highest vote total gets in.

When discussing the changes on a WSOP broadcast, David Williams said that based on the math, up to six nominees could get in this 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

Voters can use as many or as few of the four votes as they deem necessary. Additionally, the WSOP will release the voter results so the poker world can see how each member voted.

The new process should help lessen number of players who are or would be snubbed from the Hall of Fame.

Last year, the Hall of Fame unexpectedly received two inductees. Initially, the members voted to induct Nick Schulman. But less then a week later, after Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi won the $10,000 WSOP main event in the same summer he took down the $50,000 Poker Players Championship, the committee decided to induct him into the Hall of Fame on the spot.

Poker Hall Of Fame Members