Earlier this week, the WSOP officially opened the nomination process for the 2017 Poker Hall of Fame. Poker fans around the world are now able to name their preferred inductee for this year’s class.
For almost four decades now the Poker Hall of Fame has been celebrating poker’s biggest, the one that have contributed the most to the game’s development into what it is now. The initiative was created in 1979 and has since then inducted 52 poker personalities.
This year’s nominees are yet to be announced but the poker community anticipates the inclusion of one particular name. Phil Ivey, a player most of us, if not all of us, have heard of turned 40 this year, which instantly made him eligible for induction. Given Ivey’s multiple accomplishments, he certainly deserves a place among the Poker Hall of Fame member and many believe that he may be offered such a place this year.
Players need to meet certain requirements in order to be eligible for nomination. They must be at least 40 years of age at the time of their nomination. They must have competed against acknowledged competitors, played high stakes poker over the course of their careers, and performed consistently well. Successful nominees must have also stood the test of time.
As mentioned above, Ivey celebrated his 40th birthday this year, which means that he can finally be nominated. Requirement number one is fulfilled, but here are some more thoughts on how the player meets the other requirements.
Ivey has been part of poker’s elite for almost two decades now. He has participated in some of the world’s most prestigious tournaments, has cashed in such tournaments, and, most importantly has won quite a lot of them. Ivey has turned into a feared competitor and has taken down many feared competitors over the course of his career.
A quick look at the player’s Hendon Mob profile shows that he is an accomplished high roller with titles in some of the world’s highest buy-in tournaments. For instance, Ivey has three Aussie Millions Poker Championship A$250,000 Challenge titles, among other high roller accomplishments. Ivey has also been very prolific in both online and live cash games.
Coming to the consistent play requirement, it should be said that as any other player in the world, Ivey has too had career ups and downs. Not much has been seen of him on the live tournament circuit over the past several years. However, it was not that long ago when he posed a serious threat to his fellow participants in each event he took part in.
Ivey has always been admired (and feared) for his playing style. Yet, when asked to describe his style, he tends to answer that he does not have one. Ivey is of the taciturn type of players. Back in the days when he was more active on the felt, he would sit at the table, assess quietly his opponents, spot their weaknesses and take good advantage of them.
Last but not least, standing the test of time means different things to different people. However, many would agree that despite his absence from the live tournament field over the past several years, Ivey has proved on multiple occasions his capabilities as a poker player, as one of the best poker players, if you wish.
