The World Series of Poker has changed the Poker Hall of Fame induction process, opening the door for a much larger class in 2026. After years of one person getting in, as many as six nominees could enter under the new voting format.
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The Poker Hall of Fame has faced years of complaints over its slow induction pace. Many poker fans felt that one inductee per year left too many respected players and contributors waiting.
WSOP officials first opened public nominations through the WSOP website. Fans can submit names as long as nominees meet the Hall of Fame criteria. After nominations close, the top eight vote getters will form the final ballot.
From there, the process changes. The 33 living Poker Hall of Fame members receive the final list, and each voter gets four votes. Any nominee who reaches a two thirds majority gets inducted. That means 22 votes will be enough to enter.
If no nominee reaches 22 votes, the person with the highest total still gets in.
David Williams discussed the format during a WSOP broadcast and said the math could allow up to six people to get inducted in 2026. Voters can use all four votes, only some of them, or fewer if they choose.
WSOP also plans to publish voting results, giving poker fans a clearer look at how each Hall of Fame member voted.
The nomination stage still gives fans a role. Anyone can nominate a player or industry figure through the WSOP website.
Players must be at least 40 years old at the time of nomination. They also need a high stakes record, experience against top competition, long term success, peer respect and enough years at the highest level to show staying power.
Non players can also qualify. They must have helped poker grow and left a positive long term effect on the game.
For many years after the poker boom, the Poker Hall of Fame usually inducted two people each year. That changed in 2020, when the process moved to one inductee per year. The backlog grew from there, especially as more modern era players reached eligibility.
The 2025 process already showed how difficult the old format had become. Poker Hall of Fame members initially voted in Nick Schulman.
Then Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi won the $10,000 WSOP Main Event after also winning the $50,000 Poker Players Championship in the same summer. The committee then inducted Mizrachi on the spot.
That unusual outcome added more attention to the old system. Now, the 2026 change gives voters a way to recognize multiple candidates without waiting year after year.