In a short time, the Women in Poker Hall of Fame has become the preeminent group recognizing the contributions of women to the game of poker. With their 2012 induction ceremonies fast approaching in August, the Hall has opened up their nomination process for those ladies who have given their all for the game of poker. The actual induction ceremony is currently set for August 31 at the Golden Nugget Casino in downtown Las Vegas.
The criteria for potential nominees for the Hall are quite rigid, as entry into any Hall of Fame should be. A potential candidate will have had to have been active in the poker industry (either as a player or “behind the scenes”) for a minimum of ten years and be over the age of 35. Naturally, all potential nominees will have to be a proponent of women in poker. All nominees will also have to be approved by the Board of Directors of the organization.
After the public nomination period ends, the list of potential new members of the Hall will be put in front of the Screening Committee, comprised of the Board of Directors and the members of the Hall. After the reviewing process has been completed, those eligible candidates are voted on by the Hall of Fame members, the Board and selected members of the media. Using a system similar to that of the Poker Hall of Fame (ten votes to each voting member, to be put towards whichever candidate or candidates deemed worthy), the top vote getters then earn their way into the Hall.
The list of potential nominees that can be suggested to the WiPHoF are plentiful, to say the least (that is if they are over 35). From the industry side, Dianna Donofrio-Trigatzi has been a longtime proponent of charitable poker endeavors across the nation. Former World Poker Tour Ladies’ Champion Nancy Todd currently is leading the efforts to bring live poker and casinos to the state of Arkansas. Kathy Raymond has been the poker room director at two of the major casinos in the United States, Foxwoods in Connecticut and the Venetian in Las Vegas, while Lisa Wheeler has had a long career behind the scenes of the poker industry in virtually all aspects of media and promotion.
When it comes to players, there are a plethora of qualified potential nominees. To get an international feel, such players as Victoria Coren, Lucy Rokach and Maureen Feduniak would be excellent choices. The United States could provide potential nominees such as Annie Duke, Joanne “J. J.” Liu and the legendary Betty Carey.
Past ceremonies to the Hall have inducted some of the best women in the game of poker. During last year’s ceremonies, Phyllis Caro, Margie Heintz and poker player Kristy Gazes all were honored before a packed house at the Golden Nugget. In 2010, industry pro Billie Brown and longtime professional players Jennifer Harman and Kathy Liebert were given the highly respected slots in the Hall. The other members of the Hall are June Field, Jan Fisher and Cyndy Violette (from 2009’s ceremonies) and the tremendously solid inaugural class of Barbara Enright, Marsha Waggoner, Susie Isaacs and Linda Johnson (2008).
If this year’s process holds as it has in years past, the nomination period should end around the end of June. After the review, the potential nominees will then move on to the election process, with a minimum of two and potentially as many as four earning the honor of moving into the Hall alongside other greats of the game. To nominate a player for the exclusive honor of being in the Women in Poker Hall of Fame, head to womeninpokerhalloffame.com to make your voice heard.
