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The 2026 World Series of Poker is not just about winning bracelets; it is also about honoring past greats. In late June, the WSOP announced eight finalists for the Poker Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Who Are the Finalists for the Poker Hall of Fame Class of 2026?
Live event and online poker players alike can qualify for the Hall of Fame. Influential people around the game are also eligible.
The eight finalists announced for the 2026 Poker Hall of Fame include:
- Shaun Deeb: A two-time WSOP Player of the Year, Deeb has eight WSOP bracelets and two WSOP Circuit rings.
- Scott Seiver: Seiver is a strategic and adaptable player, traits that have helped him win seven WSOP bracelets.
- Jason Koon: He may only have two WSOP bracelets, but Koon is one of the best tournament players of all-time and has won tens of millions in live events.
- Isaac Haxton: Haxton has been a force in high-roller games for over a decade and has one WSOP bracelet.
- Justin Bonomo: A three-time bracelet winner, Bonomo is one of the best high-roller players in the world, even winning the 2018 $1,000,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em The Big One for One Drop.
- Mike Matusow: “The Mouth” is a four-time bracelet winner known for his brash style.
- Chris Moorman: One of the best online players in history, Moorman has also found success in live events and is a one-time WSOP bracelet winner.
- Isai Scheinberg: Scheinberg co-founded PokerStars, helping it grow and provide access to millions of poker players worldwide.
Being a finalist is awesome, but the nominees have one more test to pass before they are inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame this August.
Best Bets to Make the Poker Hall of Fame This Year
The new Poker Hall of Fame induction process gives every current inductee up to four votes on the current class of finalists. Finalists need at least two-thirds of the vote to be inducted. However, if no nominee reaches the threshold, then the person with the most total votes will get in.
My top picks to make the Hall of Fame this year are Shaun Deeb, Mike Matusow, and Isai Scheinberg.
Shaun Deeb
Deeb’s poker accomplishments speak for themselves. With eight bracelets and two circuit rings, Deeb is one of the most accomplished players not in the HoF. Also, he has succeeded across multiple poker styles, helping him become one of the few multi-time Player of the Year winners.
Mike Matusow
At his peak, Matusow ranked in the top 20 on the all-time poker winnings list. A legendary personality has further elevated Matusow’s accomplishments. Getting his start in the early 2000s Poker Boom, “The Mouth” has four WSOP bracelets and has succeeded in live tournaments and high-roller cash games.
Isai Scheinberg
Scheinberg’s influence on modern poker cannot be overstated. He co-founded PokerStars, a driving force in the development of online poker and in changing the game forever.
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