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Poker Hall of Fame Inducts David Oppenheim and Chris Moneymaker

The 2019 class for the Poker Hall of Fame was announced Monday night during the final table of the 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event. A star-studded group of finalists was up for consideration this year but only two could be enshrined.

During one of the breaks, Kara Scott announced the two newest members of the Poker Hall of Fame in David Oppenheim and Chris Moneymaker. Oppenheim was enshrined due to his prowess at high stakes cash games while Moneymaker’s enshrinement was more about his impact on the poker industry as a whole.

Hall of Famers Finally Get Their Man

One name that we’ve heard being thrown around for years by many current Poker Hall of Famers was David Oppenheim. However, Oppenheim seldom was on the list of finalists. Last year, he made the finalists list but John Hennigan was destined to take the player spot over him.

This year was a bit different. Fan voting was not held and not surprisingly, Oppenheim easily made the list of finalists. With few overwhelming favorites on the list, this time Oppenheim was able to finally get inducted.

Oppenheim is primarily known as a cash game specialist despite having close to $2 million in career tournament earnings. He’s well-known in the high stakes community and is one of the most dominant high stakes players in the current game.

Oppenheim sent in a statement about his win, stating, “Being recognized as one of the all-time greats by my peers is truly humbling and I am honored to have been selected to the Poker Hall of Fame.”

This is how you get induced into a Hall of Fame 🙌🏾. Congrats to David Oppenheim as well #WSOP pic.twitter.com/hHTi7Co399

— Agamemon Busmalis (@jcgloves) July 16, 2019

Chris Moneymaker Inducted Based on Impact on Poker Industry

Admit it, the only reason most of us play poker or are in the poker industry is because of Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 WSOP Main Event win. Following that epic win, the “Moneymaker Effect” was a major contributor to the Poker Boom and there are countless people in the game today because of him.

While Moneymaker does not have the same type of career as many in the Poker Hall of Fame, his impact outside of his 2003 Main Event win is still being felt. He partnered with PokerStars for many years and currently runs his own poker tour, growing the game at casinos around the globe.

Moneymaker sent in a video acceptance speech that was played during the Hall of Fame announcement where he thanked the fans for voting for him (actually, they didn’t) and for being selected to the Poker Hall of Fame.

Congratulations to @PokerStars' @CMONEYMAKER…2003 @WSOP champ…and now…member of the Poker Hall of Fame! https://t.co/vxRFIY7y8L pic.twitter.com/58mHjOTQEv

— PokerStarsBlog (@PokerStarsBlog) July 16, 2019

The Best Result We Could Have Hoped For

After the finalists for the Poker Hall of Fame were announced, I predicted that Chris Moneymaker and Antonio Esfandiari would be selected as they were the best stories for the 50th World Series of Poker.

The selection of Moneymaker was a no-brainer for this year due to his impact on poker and specifically the World Series of Poker. I am a bit surprised that Oppenheim was selected but at least this shows that the Hall of Fame has a bit of integrity and it isn’t all about publicity for the WSOP.

The big question now is who will be inducted next year? Will one of those that have been overlooked for years finally get on the list or will the “safe picks” get through next year. Also, will some of those that were snubbed this year (such as Matt Savage) actually make the list of finalists?

We will find out again in about 9 to 10 month’s time, likely during the middle of the 2020 World Series of Poker. For now, we can celebrate the enshrinement of the newest members of the Poker Hall of Fame.

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