The Poker Hall of Fame announces their 2017 Finalists

The Poker Hall of Fame has announced the 10 Finalists for their Class of 2017.

They are:

David Chiu:  Born in China, David Chiu was the first ever winner of the Tournament of Champions.  Chiu is also a five time Bracelet winner on the WSOP and finished in the money 60 times.

Mori Eskandini: Eskandini is former 16 time money finisher and the WSOP but is more known for being the producer of Poker After Dark, High Stakes Poker and the National Heads-Up Poker Championship.

Thor Hansen:  From Norway, Hansen is a two time Bracelet winner on the WSOP.

Ted Forrest: AKA “Professor Backwards” is a six time WSOP Bracelet winner and a one time Champion on the World Poker Tour.

Phil Ivey: “The Tiger Woods of Poker” is the youngest Finalist at age 40.  He is a ten time WSOP Bracelet winner.

Mike Matusow: Matusow is a four time WSOP Bracelet recipient.

Max Pescatori: From Milan, Italy, Pescatori is a four time WSOP Bracelet winner.  “The Italian Pirate” has finished in the money on the World Poker Tour 7 times.

Matt Savage: A fine poker player in his own right but mostly known for helping founding the Tournament Directors Association, which standardized poker tournaments internationally. 

Huck Seed: The 1996 WSOP Champion is also a four time Bracelet winner.

David Ulliott: The late Englishman is a one time WSOP Bracelet winner and one time World Poker Tour Champion.  “Devilfish” allegedly had ties to the Hull underworld.

To qualify for the Hall, a player has to be at least 40 years of age and have “played poker against acknowledged top competition” and “for high stakes”.

At present there are 52 members of the Poker Hall of Fame and two of these ten Finalists will bring the total to 54.

The Poker Hall of Fame was established in 1979.