As in the previous two years, the nomination, selection and voting process will culminate in the enshrinement of a worthy inductee(s) in November as part of the WSOP Main Event Final Table.

The submission process takes place online at http://www.wsop.com/phof/

From July 5 through August 14, 2011, the public will be able to cast their nominations via online submission at www.WSOP.com.  Each submission will allow for a nominee name and up to 250 words supporting that nominee’s worthiness.

On or after August 15, the entire list of nominated individuals will be forwarded to the newly-created Nominating Committee, who will be tasked with reviewing all submissions and determining the final list of eligible candidates for 2011 induction. This committee will determine if any others should be added (such as non-poker players who have contributed greatly to the game, any glaring omissions, etc.) and determine the final eligible list.

Caesars will announce the Nominating Committee’s list on or around September 15, 2011.  Anyone on this list will be forwarded to the official voters, made up of current Poker Hall of Fame members and select media, who cast ballots to determine the induction class of 2011.

On September 16, a finalist ballot will be sent to the current Hall-of-Famers (18 living) who will each rank the nominees in order of preference – ranking only those they deem worthy of admission in 2011.  Each Hall-of-Famer will also have the ability to add a write-in candidate, who won’t be eligible for admission in 2011, but will automatically be added to the consideration list for 2012.  In addition, a select group of media members will also be sent a ballot for ranking the finalists.  All votes will be cast in private, with each PHOF and media member entitled but not obligated to keep their vote secret.  After receiving back all ballots, the PHOF governing council reviews the selections and helps finalize any tiebreakers or errors.

The two finalists receiving the most votes, as long as they are a majority, will be inducted during the enshrinement ceremony at the Final Table of Main Event in November, 2011.

A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition

Be a minimum of 40 years old at time of nomination [to be known as the “Chip Reese” rule, adopted in 2011, 20 years after Reese’s induction at age 40]

Played for high stakes

Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers

Stood the test of time