Daniel Negreanu And Jack McClelland Chosen For 2014 Poker Hall of Fame

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Monday, October 27th, 2014 | Written by Charles Washington

The Poker Hall of Fame was created by Benny Binion in 1979, and every year since the game’s greatest poker players, as well as those individuals making an outstanding contribution to the industry, are honoured by being inducted into the prestigious pantheon of poker legends.

This year, two finalists from an initial list of 10 nominees were selected for the Class of 2014, and becoming the 47th and 48th inductees to enter the Poker Hall of Fame (HOF) is tournament superstar Daniel Negreanu and legendary poker tournament director Jack McClelland. Following announcement of the news, Poker Hall of Fame governing council member Ty Stewart, said:

“Congratulations to the newest members of the Poker Hall of Fame. 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.”

On their way to becoming immortalized in the Poker Hall of Fame, Daniel Negreanu And Jack McClelland beat out a list of finalists which included such high-profile poker celebrities as Huck Seed, Ted Forrest, Mike Matusow, Jennifer Harman, Humberto Brenes, Bruno Fitoussi, Bob Hooks, and Chris Bjorin.

Daniel Negreanu

Canadian poker pro Daniel Negreanu (photo) is widely considered to be the game’s most tireless ambassador, and spends as much time promoting poker away from the tables, as he does cashing in at tournaments on the green baize.

Noted for his sociable, affable personality, Negreanu is one of poker’s most popular and recognizable poker celebrities and has been the main brand ambassador for PokerStars, the world’s biggest online poker operator, since June 2007. During his tenure with PokerStars Negreanu has also help attract a constant stream of positive attention to the site by continuing to rack up numerous tournament victories and industry awards along the way.

The 40 year-old pro is currently the Global Poker Index Player of the Decade, as well as tournament poker’s ‘All Time Money Winner’ with a total of $29,796,380 in winnings. Counted amongst Negreanu’s impressive list of accolades are 6 WSOP bracelets, including winning the 2013 WSOP APAC Main Event in Australia for $1,087,160, in addition to two WPT championship titles.

Up until now,Negreanu had been excluded from being nominated to the Poker Hall of Fame as a nominee has to be at least 40 years of age, a requirement which Negreanu has only just satisfied. Commenting on what being inducted into the HOF means to him, Negreanu said:

“It’s an honor to be inducted alongside so many great players that have come before me. 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.”

Jack McClelland

Jack McClelland, 63, is best known for his contributions to the operational side of poker, and since the 1980’s has been a major figure behind poker tournaments all over the world. McCLelland was the World Series of Poker tournament director in the 1980’s, and from 2002 to 2013 ran the Bellagio poker room in Las Vegas.

Throughout his career McClelland has worked alongside many legends of the game, including three existing Poker Hall of Famers in the guise of Eric Drache, Jack Binion and Bobby Baldwin. After forty years in the industry, Jack has now retired, and commenting about his induction into the HOF, said:

“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. 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.”

Award Ceremony

Daniel Negreanu And Jack McClelland will officially be welcomed into the Poker Hall of Fame on Sunday, November 9th at Binion’s Gambling Hall in Las Vegas where, incidentally, McClelland also served as tournament director and Negreanu won his first WSOP bracelet. The following day, the 2014 WSOP Main Event Final Table will get underway at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

Famous Poker Hall Of Famers

Admission into the Poker Hall of Fame is one of the biggest accolades which can be bestowed upon a poker player, with 2007 inductee Barbara Enright, the first woman to become a HOF member, describing her inclusion as a “lifetime achievement honour.”

Other famous nominees over the years include Nick the Greek (1979), Wild Bill Hickok (1979), Doyle Brunson (1988), Benny Binion (1990), David Reese (1991), Stu Ungar (2001), Johnny Chan (2002), Phil Hellmuth (2007), Mike Sexton (2009), and Erik Seidel (2010).