Most poker fans will recognize all the names on this year’s list
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has revealed the ten finalists for the 2025 Poker Hall of Fame, setting the stage for one individual to be honored with one of poker’s most prestigious accolades. The existing Hall will make the final selection of Fame members, with the inductee officially announced on July 11 before the start of Event #92: the Poker Hall of Fame Bounty No-Limit Hold’em tournament.
The list of finalists blends legendary players, industry pioneers, and iconic personalities. In alphabetical order, the ten nominees are Jeremy Ausmus, “Miami” John Cernuto, Ted Forrest, Phil Galfond, Kathy Liebert, Mike Matusow, Matt Savage, Isai Scheinberg, Nick Schulman, and Scott Seiver.
Three of the finalists—Galfond, Schulman, and Seiver—are appearing on the ballot for the first time. That’s because 2025 marks the first year they’ve met the age requirement of 40. All three have impressive resumes in high-stakes tournaments and cash games, and each has also made meaningful contributions to the game beyond their play.
The nomination pool also includes two names recognized more for their impact behind the scenes than at the felt. Matt Savage is one of the most respected tournament directors in the game, having helped standardize poker rules across major tours. Isai Scheinberg is credited with launching PokerStars, the online platform that played a huge role in the game’s global growth during the poker boom.
The selection process remains mostly behind closed doors. What’s known is that the living Hall of Fame members cast votes—usually ten each—to distribute among the nominees however they choose. That can mean all ten votes for one person or splitting them among several candidates.
Only one of these finalists will be inducted this year, continuing the tradition of honoring a single individual annually. Poker fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see who joins the exclusive club in 2025.
