© September 15, 2009
By Daniel L. Cox
Editor, Poker Insider Magazine

Las Vegas - Las Vegas, NV - In a move that was expected by most of the poker world, Tom "Durrrr" Dwan was dropped from the ballot for the 2009 Hall of Fame Balloting. When Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. officials announced the new Hall of Fame ballot process earlier this year, there was speculation that, uncontrolled, the Hall of Fame could become purely a popularity contest, not the true measure of poker greatness. At the time I was assured by Harrah's officials that there were safeguards against such an occurrence. When the 2009 Hall of Fame Finalists were announced during the World Series of Poker Main Event, the presence of Dwan brought a twinkle to more than one journalist's eyes.

The process instituted this year (2009 Hall of Fame Process) was designed to provide fan input into the selection process. All told, 41 other players received multiple nominations, including Hall of Fame members Stu Unger, Phil Hellmuth and Doyle Brunson. This is one reason the entire process cannot be left to the popular vote. Another reason is that with a devotee driven process, people who really should not be honored at this stage of their career, could wind up on the ballot. After the initial phase of public nominations, the names of the top ten vote getters are sent to the organizing officials. They are then able to add anyone they felt should have been included or take off the name of anybody they feel do not deserve the honor.

This is what happened to Tom Dwan was such a player. At 22 years of age, the young star has shown that though he is a good player, with flashes of brilliance. Even with his multiple million dollar challenges, few people would truthfully rank him as one of the greatest poker players of all time. Phil Hellmuth, the greatest Texas Hold'em Tournament player (by his own admission), had to win 11 WSOP Bracelets and compete professionally for over 20 years before he was inducted.

The main criteria for the Poker Hall of Fame are as follows:

• A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition.

• 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. 

After the top 10 were chosen by public vote, the organizing committee reviewed the nominees. They were then able to remove ones they felt did not meet the criteria and add any additional names they felt should have been included, but were neglected by open ballot.

When all was said and done, Tom Dwan did not meet the nomination criteria this year for several reasons. At 22, he has not stood the test of time. Though there is no specific age requirement, the late, great David 'Chip' Reese was the youngest player to ever be honored, and he was 40.  The online and high stakes cash specialist does not make another criteria, that of playing consistently well, gaining the respect of his peers. His brashness and aggressiveness may work well for him at the table, but many of the top professional players, especially those already in the Hall of Fame do not seem to respect him. Phil Hellmuth berated him publicly after losing quickly in the first round of NBC's 2008 National Heads-up Championship, when Dwan's pocket 10's beat "The Poker Brat's" pocket Aces. Hellmuth continues to berate Dwan publicly. Johnny "The Orient Express" Chan made several derogatory comments during taping of the 2009 High Stakes Poker series on GSN. Even  "The Godfather of Poker" has not seemed to have acknowledged him as an equal. In a 2009 airing of NBC's Poker After Dark, in a cash game segment, long time professional player Elia Elezra showed a complete lack of respect for Tom.

If Tom Dwan can keep up his level of play for the next 20 years, he may then have a chance at the Hall of Fame, but that is still not a certainty. Looking at the nine players who did make this year's nomination list, we can probably only expect two to three players to make the Hall this year. There are still dozens more  great players, with far better poker curricula vitae, who have not yet made the Hall. The Poker Hall of Fame was designed to honor the greatest poker players of all time. Hopefully, it will continue to do just that.