One of my notes was about poker Hall of Fame arranged by Benny Binion. And as I mentioned there are 9 candidates to join this highly-respected society. Today I wish to describe these guys. Three of them will climb on the top of Texas Holdem poker joining the Hall of Fame. Therefore let me introduce our heroes. Of course all of them are real poker pros. But even in this star list there are favorites and outsiders. And now it is turn to present middle-class Hall of Fame 2009 candidates.

Dan Harrington

Dan Harrington is known as “Action Dan”. This former lawyer climbed on the top of world poker five years ago. He became WSOP ME champion in 2003 and 2004. He holds 2 WSOP bracelet 1 WPT title and he has also won WSOP ME 1995.

Dan Harrington made a lot of money playing poker. He collected $6.6 million prize money. It is interesting that Harrington does not participate in Texas Holdem tournaments as often as other top poker players. He aims at just some of the most attractive tournaments and thinks about the quality of his play and not about the quantity.

Pundits outline Harrington input in the development of poker. Dan is a teacher of poker and many young players learn how to play Texas Holdem reading his books. People say that Harrington is a perfect teacher he can easily explain difficult game concepts. Dan definitely is one of the best theorists of poker.

Despite all achievements of Harrington it is difficult to predict if he is going to be accepted to the Hall of Fame. Most experts believe that he has a chance. Maybe we will see him among members of the Hall of Fame this year.

Phil Ivey

Phil is one of the most-titled poker players of the present time. He has collected $12 million at different tournaments in his career. He has also won 7 WSOP bracelets, WPT title. Ivey is one of November Nine member.

This guy is known as a quiet and reserved person. Ivey calls himself “No Home Jerome”. People say that Ivey’s passion is gambling. Once he lost $2 million betting on NBA final 2008. Another famous case of Ivey’s gambling life was recorded at WSOP tournament. Poker player lost somehow $1.1 million playing crops during lunch break!

But it would be unfair just to underline his passion to gamble. Ivey is a highly-respected top-level Texas Holdem player. Most experts say that 33-years old Ivey has a big chance to be accepted to Hall of Fame. And it is fair to say that winning 2009 WSOP title would definitely open gates of the Hall of Fame to Ivey.

Tom McEvoy

Tom McEvoy is a kind of a dark horse in this list. He launched an aggressive self-promotion online campaign using Facebook. His sponsor online poker club PokerStars supports McEvoy and lobbies ex-world champion.

Poker is McEvoy’s passion. He is an active player and he deserves respect. Even poker guru Doyle Brunson marked Tom’s achievements. He said: “Tom is an ambassador of poker. I respect this good fellow. I understand that it is not an easy job to play so often with high stakes. You should be little bit cranky to play on money. But Tom can perfectly stand this pressure”.

He is not rich in comparison with other professional poker players. He has earned $2,9 million. His biggest success is the ME WSOP 1983 championship. He has 4 WSOP bracelet and Champions Invitational 2009.

He is the first player who won Main Event satellite. Many poker players like McEvoy because he supports anti-smoking laws. McEvoy says that it must be prohibited to smoke in casinos. Thanks to him players are not allowed to smoke in poker rooms.

Journalists believe that McEvoy has got a good chance to be accepted to the Hall of Fame. When he started his professional career he was surrounded by many present reigning members of the Hall of Fame. Therefore he has many friends among the Hall of Fame and they might support their fellow-man.

Also recommended:

1. Hall of Fame 2009 candidates: favorites
2. Hall of Fame 2009 candidates: outsiders
3. Poker Hall of Fame of Benny Binion
4. Shulman defeats Negranu in ME WSOPE 2009
5. Playing Hands from Middle Position in Holdem