When the nominees for the 2016 Poker Hall of Fame were named last week, there were some usual suspects on the list. In fact, seven of the 10 men that were nominated had been tapped the year before or had previously been nominated for induction. One of those seven men wasn’t a player but a contributor, tournament director extraordinaire Matt Savage.
To list off the contributions that Savage has made to the poker world during his career inside the rails would take a lengthy period of time. Suffice it to say that many innovations that have come up in tournament poker – the “Ironman” tournament is an example (Savage may not have been first but he popularized it) – have come from the mind of Savage. He’s also had plenty of prime stages to make innovations; Savage has been the lead tournament director for the World Poker Tour (his current position as Executive Tour Director), the World Series of Poker, other smaller events both live and for television and in the casinos at Bay 101 and the Commerce Casino in California. Add in the founding of the Tournament Director’s Association – the major arbiter of the rules of poker today – and Savage is a pretty busy guy.
We at Poker News Daily were able to catch up with Matt and get his thoughts on his nomination to the Poker Hall of Fame, who he thinks is his main competition, and if he’s done innovating yet with poker.
Poker News Daily: You’ve been nominated before for the Poker Hall of Fame. What do you feel are your chances this time?
Matt Savage: I am honored to be nominated again and feel like anytime you are on the list consecutive years your chances increase. Last year I didn’t receive 1/10th the love and attention that I did this year, so at least I have that going for me. The fact that the list has changed and there are many first time nominees has to work in my favor also.
PND: Who do you see as your most difficult competition?
MS: Carlos Mortensen, of course, because he’s won not only the WSOP Main Event but also the WPT World Championship. The only potential knock I know of is many of the living Hall of Famers always take cash games into account and that would be the only missing piece in Carlos’ illustrious career. Love the guy and he deserves to be in the Poker Hall of Fame.
PND: What are the highlights of your career that you would put on your Poker Hall of Fame “plaque”?
MS: A Founder of the Tournament Director’s Association, Innovator of poker tournaments formats, structures, and payouts, player advocate who is always trying to grow the game worldwide, and of course “Lucky You” (laughs) (writer’s note: “Lucky You” was the 2007 film starring Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore that has earned derision from the poker community; Savage earned a credit for working the “final table” during the film and will often “show off” his massive royalty checks sometimes totaling tens of dollars on Facebook)…current World Poker Tour Executive Tour Director and former WSOP Tournament Director (2002-04).
PND: Should there be more recognition for people who aren’t “players” in the game? More support for those like tournament directors, executives, writers, etc.?
MS: Of course, that is just my opinion and also of current Hall of Fame member Linda Johnson. I think people that have made a positive impact on the game for a prolonged period of time deserve consideration.
PND: Normally such an honor as induction into any Hall of Fame is seen as a Lifetime Achievement Award. Are you done innovating yet and, if not, what is lurking in the mind?
MS: I am not done for sure but cannot let my secrets out just yet. One innovation I wish I could take back is reentry tournaments, but that’s a discussion for another day.
PND: You have a chance to give your speech advocating for your induction starting…NOW!
MS: I would like to believe that I not only have made a very positive impact on poker but also helped lead the industry through its most critical time. I have been much more than just a Tournament Director: I’ve mentored people all over the world and continue to answer questions from fans on a daily basis on Twitter, Facebook, email, text, and phone calls.
If I were to be inducted I would do whatever it takes to elevate the Poker Hall of Fame and give it the respect it lacks and deserves. I would also love to be involved with the process of voting on the nominees and raising awareness of names in the past that may have been forgotten but surely belong in the Hall of Fame themselves.
