Eric Drache and Brian Roberts Joins the Poker Hall of Fame

In September, WSOP released the list of the nominees for the Poker Hall of Fame 2012 induction, as a result of a public vote. 10 players and background workers made it to the final stage, namely Chris Bjorin, David Chiu, Eric Drache, Thor Hansen, George Hardie, Jennifer Harman-Traniello, John Juanda, Tom McEvoy, Scotty Nguyen and Brian "Sailor" Roberts.

The living members of the Poker Hall of Fame and a few poker media representatives then got the list, and in the end elected two persons, who met the following criteria:

• A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
• Be a minimum of 40 years old at time of nomination
• Played for high stakes
• Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers
• Stood the test of time
• Or, for non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.

As it was announced today on WSOP.com officially, this year's inductees are Eric Drache and Brian Roberts.

Sailor

Roberts is a poker legend, who roamed the United States alongside Amarillo Slim and Doyle Brunson, eager to find and beat the best poker players in America. He is a two-time WSOP Champion, he won the 1975 WSOP Main Event. Unfortunately, the legendary player passed away in 1995.

Poker Hall of Fame member Crandell Addington said the following on behalf of Roberts:

"In a time fifty years ago when poker players relied on luck, Sailor was developing sophisticated strategies that would enable him to make his own luck. At a time in which professional poker players were viewed as outlaws and poker was illegal, he formed a partnership with Doyle and Slim and they traveled across the country from poker game to poker game. They deployed advanced strategies unknown at the time that featured playing their opponents hands on many occasions rather than their own hands. More often than not, they got the money.”

Eric Drache has been a tournament manager for WSOP, and then worked for prestigius casinos as a cardroom manager in Las Vegas such as the Bellagio, Mirage and the Golden Nugget. He was the mastermind behind satellite events, with which he made a lasting contribution to poker. Drache also particpated in the poker boom, by working as a consultant for numerous poker shows.

Eric Drache

Drache said on WSOP.com:

“I’m not only surprised and honored to have been selected, I’m also a bit embarrassed considering the other nominees. When Jack Binion and myself worked on creating the Hall of Fame, I never considered myself a potential candidate. I’m particularly happy for the family of Sailor Roberts. Sailor by everyone’s account, including my own personal observations, was a great player and played many games very well.”

The newest members of the prestigious Hall of Fame will be officially inducted October 30 at the Rio Casino just before the WSOP Main Event final table kicks off.