Shaun Deeb and Jason Koon are among the favorites for induction into the Hall of Fame

Shaun Deeb and Jason Koon among the favorites for Hall of Fame induction

At the end of this week, on June 20, the open phase of public nominations for the Poker Hall of Fame — in which viewers take part — will come to a close. Ahead of this, PokerOrg asked a number of leading poker players to name their favorites and dark horses for Hall of Fame induction. In this survey, the names mentioned most often were those of two-time WSOP Player of the Year Shaun Deeb and two-time World Series bracelet winner Jason Koon.

Bryn Kenney's picks: Jason Koon and Shaun Deeb

"My prediction is that Jason Koon will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. And right behind him is my dark horse — Shaun Deeb."

Jeremy Ausmus's picks: Jason Koon, Shaun Deeb and others
"It's a tough choice this year. We have some new names: Isaac Haxton, Jason Koon, Shaun Deeb. I think the Hall of Fame has historically leaned toward mixed-games players, so they always have a slight edge. The list should also include Scott Seiver, Jason Mercier, Josh Arieh.
My dark horse is Matt Savage [commentator and executive director of the World Poker Tour]. It's hard to figure out where industry figures fit in, but he's had a huge impact on poker tournaments and made them better over the years."

Mike Matusow's picks: Mike Matusow, Jason Mercier and Ted Forrest
"Myself, of course. There are players like Jason Mercier and Ted Forrest. Poker without Ted Forrest isn't poker. He played the highest stakes longer than anyone. And Matt Savage should be on the list.
Making the Hall of Fame this year would be incredible. My mom is 89, she might not be here next year. That matters more to me than anything."

Daniel Negreanu's picks: Jason Koon and Ted Forrest
"The dark horse is Ted Forrest. People sometimes stay in the shadows. The younger generation doesn't know Ted. He was the best player in the world in all the high-roller games for at least ten years. That's something special.
Among the obvious candidates, Jason Koon stands out. He's got bracelets, high-roller cashes, he plays all the games."

Jason Koon: Isaac Haxton, Jeremy Ausmus and Scott Seiver
"There are strong candidates this year — a whole generation of players from the Moneymaker boom era is turning 40. Isaac Haxton is an obvious legend, but underrated for a few reasons. He's one of the best players in history, but he'll never stand up and tell the world how good he is.
Seiver is another legend. Jeremy Ausmus is also underrated because of his modesty. He's a great NLH and PLO player, he can play all the games, and he's stood the test of time."

In addition, Hall of Fame member Eli Elezra named Gus Hansen as his candidate, Esther Taylor mentioned Shaun Deeb and JJ Liu, Andrew Lichtenberger named Jason Koon and Scott Seiver, Mario Mosböck named Koon, Phil Galfond and Jean-Noël Thorel, Patrik Antonius gave his preference to Koon, and Alex Foxen chose Seiver, Koon and Isaac Haxton.

It was previously reported that, starting this year, the system for inducting players into the Hall of Fame will change. Its current members have been given the right to cast four votes each for candidates. As a result, several new poker players could make the Hall of Fame at once.