Negreanu turns 40, could be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year

The PokerStars pro Daniel Negreanu is celebrating his 40th birthday this weekend, this means he will be eligible to be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. The nominations are now open!

 Caesars Entertainment is waiting for people to vote between July 21 and August 15 regarding this years Poker Hall of Fame inductees.This years vote is the 6th time the vote is open to everyone. Besides naming the player you wish to vote for, a short justification why that player is an ideal nominee.

 The criteria for the Poker Hall of Fame are the following:

• 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.

 You can vote by clicking on this link.

 The results of the vote will be published in September, and a list with the most nominated players, will be forwarded to the official voters, made up of current Poker Hall of Fame members and select media, who will select the finalists.

 The two finalists receiving the most votes will be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame at the opening ceremony of the WSOP Main Event Final Table in November 2014.

 A lot of people believe that one of the spots is already taken, since one of the most prominent poker characters, and one of the most accomplished players, who is leading the tournament leader board lead with $29.796.380 in winnings, Daniel Negreanu, is celebrating his 40th birthday this Saturday.

On Saturday Negreanu will reach the age limit required for the Poker Hall of Fame, and regarding the other criteria, it's hard to find a player more eligible for the title. THe WSOP website presents him as a being one of the favorites, and even Negreanu thinks he has earned the induction.

 "WSOP: Everyone agrees that your place is in the Hall of Fame. Wouldn't you feel guilty though, if it already happened this year? There are so many great nominees who have been waiting for their induction..."

Negreanu:"I wouldn't feel guilty, because if I look at what criterias are required, I can't see a single one that I didn't complete. If I didn't get in I would for surely think, "What the hell else should I do? Where did I go wrong? (laugh). To be honest, I would be surprised if they didn't induct me. BUt if that will be the case, obviously I will totally respect the decision."

 The Poker Hall of Fame members have been inducted since 1979:

 1979: Felton "Corky" McCorquodale, Johnny Moss, Red Winn, Sid Wyman, "Nick the Greek" Dandalos, Edmond Hoyle, "Wild Bill" Hickok

1980: T. "Blondie" Forbes

1981: Bill Boyd

1982: Tom Abdo

1983: Joe Bernstein

1984: Murph Harrold

1985: Red Hodges

1986: Henry Green

1987: Puggy Pearson

1988: Doyle Brunson, Jack Straus

1989: Fred "Sarge" Ferris

1990: Benny Binion

1991: David “Chip” Reese

1992: Thomas Austin "Amarillo Slim" Preston

1993: Jack Keller

1996: Julius Oral "Little Man" Popwell

1997: Roger Moore

2001: Stu Ungar

2002: Lyle Berman, Johnny Chan

2003: Bobby Baldwin

2004: Berry Johnston

2005: Jack Binion, Crandell Addington

2006: T.J. Cloutier, Billy Baxter

2007: Phil Hellmuth Jr.

2008: Duane "Dewey" Tomko, Henry Orenstein

2009: Mike Sexton

2010: Dan Harrington, Erik Seidel

2011: Barry Greenstein, Linda Johnson

2012: Eric Drache, Bryan Roberts

2013: Tom McEvoy, Scotty Nguyen