The Poker Hall Of Fame

   The Poker Hall of Fame at Binion's Horseshoe adds another player's name to its list of poker legends every year. Since its inception in 1979, the Hall of Fame has honored twenty-seven gamblers, one for each year, with the exception of 1993. All but two, Hoyle and Hickok, were twentieth-century card players, and many of them road gamblers who followed the game where it would take them. Selection criteria for the Hall of Fame are straightforward and the standards are high:

• A gambler must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
• Played for high stakes
• Played consistently well
• Gained the respect of peers
• And stood the test of time

	Edmond Hoyle, 1979 For more than two centuries, card players have played "according to Hoyle", which has become synonymous with conformity to rules. Born circa 1672 in England, Hoyle wrote his first book, A Short Treatise on the Game of Whist in 1742. The book, a classic, was used to settle differences during games played by London society. Hoyle died August 30, 1769, at age ninety-seven.
	"Wild Bill" Hickok, 1979 James Butler Hickok was killed while playing poker in a saloon in Deadwood in the Dakota Territory. He was shot in the back by "Crooked Nose" McCall and died on August 2, 1876, at age thirty-nine. He held aces and eights, which became known as "The Dead Man's Hand." He had been a scout in the Civil War, a marshal in Kansas, and later toured with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show as a sharpshooter.
	"Nick the Greek" Dandolos, 1979 Known for making astronomical wagers in Las Vegas casinos, Nick became a household name. Late in his career, Dandolos was near broke and playing low-limit poker in Southern California. Asked how he could bet millions of dollars once and now play for $5 chips, Dandolos was purported to have said "Hey, it's action." Deceased.
	Sid Wyman, 1979 From the early 1950's to the late 1970s, Sid was co-owner of several gaming properties, including the Sands, Riviera, and the old Dunes. The Missouri-born Wyman was a noted high-stakes gambler who excelled at poker. He died in June 1978. Casino play was halted for two minutes at the Dunes at the hour of his funeral.
	Felton "Corky" McCorquodale, 1979 A noted no-limit gambler, Corky introduced Texas hold 'em to Las Vegas in 1963. Deceased.
	Johnny Moss, 1979 Ageless patriarch of the game, Johnny Moss was a three-time world no-limit Texas hold 'em champion (1970, 1971, and 1974). He lived in Las Vegas until his death in 1997.
	Red Winn, 1979 Known as a quintessential all-around player. Deceased.