Negreanu, McClellan to be inducted into Poker Hall of Fame

LAS VEGAS -- The 2014 Poker Hall of Fame Class will feature a first ballot inductee – Daniel Negreanu – and one who has spent four decades contributing to the game – Jack McClelland. The two become the 47th and 48th individuals to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. The two were nominated by the public and voted in by a 41-person panel made up of existing Poker Hall of Famers, and a Blue Ribbon Media Panel, it was announced today by the Poker Hall of Fame Governing Council.

McClelland and Negreanu will be inducted officially on Sunday, November 9 at 7:30 pm at Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel – the birthplace of poker in Las Vegas – and the original home of the World Series of Poker (from 1970-2004). The Poker Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner will occur inside the Longhorn Room, which was originally called Benny’s Bullpen. Benny’s Bullpen hosted the very first final table of the World Series of Poker in 1970.

The Poker Hall of Fame Gala kicks off the November Nine festivities, taking place a day before the 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event final table gets underway at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino (Nov. 10-11). The venue is a sentimental choice given it is where McClelland served as tournament director and Negreanu won his first World Series of Poker bracelet.

“Congratulations to the newest members of the Poker Hall of Fame,” said Poker Hall of Fame governing council member Ty Stewart. “While a contrast in styles, there is a common thread between these two deserving nominees. Both liveall-in on poker and have devoted their full hearts to the game.”

McClelland, 63, has spent four decades in the game of poker on the operator side of the business holding virtually every position in a poker room, while Negreanu, 40, burst onto the scene as a player, with three victories in 1997 and has done nothing but win since, becoming poker’s No. 1 ranked live player, with nearly $30 million in live tournament winnings.