2016 Poker Hall of Fame finalists unveiled

After a public nomination process, and a vetting of nominations by the PHOF Governing Council, the finalists list eligible for induction into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2016 has been determined.

It will now be up to the current Hall of Famers and a blue ribbon panel of media members to determine who actually does join this exclusive club. The following represents the finalists:

Chris Bjorin
Humberto Brenes
Todd Brunson
Eli Elezra
Bruno Fitoussi
Chris Moneymaker
Carlos Mortensen
Max Pescatori
Matt Savage
David "Devilfish" Ulliott

Three new candidates have been nominated, and seven previous finalists make up the 2016 list.

The new candidates are: Todd Brunson, Eli Elezra and Chris Moneymaker.

Six of last year's finalists return -- Chris Bjorin, Bruno Fitoussi, Carlos Mortensen, Max Pescatori, Matt Savage and David Ulliott -- and one previous nominee – Humberto Brenes, once again find themselves in the Top 10.

The above list of names will be submitted to the 25 living Hall of Fame members and a 20-person media panel later this month for voting. Only these 45 individuals cast votes for induction.

The criteria they will consider in their vote are as follows:
-A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
-Be a minimum of 40 years old at time of nomination
-Played for high stakes
-Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers
-Stood the test of time
-Or, for non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.

The 2016 Class of the Poker Hall of Fame will be inducted as part of the World Series of Poker Main Event final table festivities in Las Vegas during a special dinner and induction to be held at the famed Binion's Gambling Hall. The induction ceremony and dinner are set for Wednesday, 26 October in the famed Longhorn Room at Binion's in downtown Las Vegas.

Nine of the ten finalists are living, and it is expected the inductee(s) or representative of the inductee will be able to attend the induction. Inductee(s) will be acknowledged on stage during November Nine festivities in the Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino as well.

Later this month, official ballots will be sent to the voters, who will have until 7 October to fill them out and return them to the WSOP Governing Council. The inductee(s) are expected to be announced after all votes have been officially tallied.

Please read below for a brief about each of this year's finalists for the Poker Hall of Fame Class of 2016, listed in alphabetical order.