After tabulation of the votes from the living members of the organization and a select list of poker journalists, poker professional Daniel Negreanu and longtime poker fixture Jack McClelland are the two men who will comprise the class for the 2014 Poker Hall of Fame. Negreanu and McClelland will become the 47th and 48th members of the Hall when they are inducted next month.
“Congratulations to the newest members of the Poker Hall of Fame,” Poker Hall of Fame governing council member Ty Stewart stated during the announcement of their nomination. “While a contrast in styles, there is a common thread between these two deserving nominees. Both live all-in on poker and have devoted their full hearts to the game.”
Negreanu, a first-time nominee after turning 40 earlier this year, was all but a lock to gain enshrinement in his first year of eligibility. With nearly two decades of play on the biggest stages in the game, Negreanu has earned six World Series of Poker bracelets (he is the only player to have earned bracelets at the three major WSOP events in the United States, Europe and Asia/Pacific), two World Poker Tour championships and rung up nearly $30 million in career tournament poker earnings, the most of any player in history. Known as ‘Kid Poker,’ Negreanu has also been one of the foremost ambassadors for the game of poker, often taking stances that are controversial but sparking discussion among the community that is necessary.
“It’s an honor to be inducted alongside so many great players that have come before me,” said Negreanu about his nomination to the Hall. “(It’s) an even bigger honor to be recognized at age 40, the same age as the legend Chip Reese. Thank you to the living members of the Poker Hall of Fame and those on the Blue Ribbon Media Panel that voted for me.”
McClelland was perhaps a bit of a surprise among the ten nominees for entry into the Hall, but his position there is well-deserved. A 40-year veteran of the poker industry, McClelland worked his way up the ladder in the casino industry to become one of the preeminent leaders in the poker world. He was instrumental in the early years of the WPT, opening the doors of the Bellagio to their events in the tour’s infancy, and served as the tournament director for the Bellagio until 2013. Prior to his work at the Bellagio, McClelland also served as the TD for the WSOP.
“Being inducted into the Class of 2014 Poker Hall of Fame is a very exciting prospect and I am sure it will be a very humbling experience,” McClelland remarked about his nomination. “I thank everyone involved in this process and to the WSOP, WPT and all of the great people I have met and the wonderful people I have worked with throughout the years. Thank you for bestowing this honor upon me. I am very grateful.”
While these two men celebrate their induction into the Poker Hall of Fame, there are unfortunately eight notable names that will have to wait another year for their chance at poker immortality. International players Chris Bjorin, Humberto Brenes and Bruno Fitoussi and American professionals Ted Forrest, Jennifer Harman, Bob Hooks, Mike Matusow and Huck Seed were all on the ballot for potential induction this year but came up short when the ballots were counted.
Negreanu and McClelland will not have to wait long for their induction into the Poker Hall of Fame. On November 9 (the day prior to the start of the 2014 WSOP Championship Event “November Nine” final table), ceremonies and a dinner will be held at Binion’s Gambling Hall in downtown Las Vegas. The venue – now known as the Longhorn Room but, for many years previous, was the famous Benny’s Bullpen where the WSOP was held – is a notable one for both Negreanu and McClelland as Negreanu won his first WSOP bracelet in that room and McClelland held court as TD for the WSOP in the same place.