The last few days of 2020 brought some big news in the world of poker. First, we finally know the sole inductee into the Poker Hall of Fame. Huck Seed, the 1996 WSOP Main Event Champion, was the person selected for induction. He topped a stellar list of finalists for induction.
Next, the last day of the year saw a blockbuster announcement from one of the game’s most recognized figures. Chris Moneymaker announced that he is parting ways with PokerStars. This ends a 17-year sponsorship for the 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion.
Huck Seed Inducted Into the Poker Hall of Fame
For a while, we didn’t think that there would be a 2020 Class for the Poker Hall of Fame. Plans were announced last-minute for a single inductee and on Wednesday we found out who that person was. Huck Seed was the person voted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2020.
1996 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Huckleberry “Huck” Seed @HuckleberrySeed is the 2020 inductee to the Poker Hall of Fame !
More details : https://t.co/NDygkrqv4I pic.twitter.com/BOjrhzGet8— WSOP (@WSOP) December 30, 2020
Seed is best known for winning the 1996 WSOP Main Event. He also took down the NBC National Heads-Up Title and won the WSOP Tournament of Champions. Seed is also known for his love of prop bets and the stories of his prop betting are legendary.
This year’s vote was conducted amongst living Poker Hall of Fame members. All but one living member voted and Seed was the top vote earner. For the first time ever, the number of votes cast was revealed to the public. Seed was the top earner, followed by Matt Savage and Isai Scheinberg.
Seed told WSOP.com, “Hearing the news that I am being inducted into the poker hall of fame this year brought back memories of my early poker days, walking into the Binions Horseshoe, about to start a poker session, admiring all the poker hall of famers on the wall. It feels good to be included with all the poker legends that I once idolized and competed against over the years. Thank you everyone.”
Chris Moneymaker Leaves PokerStars
If you play poker, you know about Chris Moneymaker. He won the 2003 WSOP Main Event and effectively started the Poker Boom. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2019 and is considered one of the greatest ambassadors in poker.
Soon after winning the Main Event in 2003, Moneymaker signed a sponsorship deal with PokerStars and started a long streak of the company signing Main Event champs. Over the years, a lot has changed with PokerStars, but Moneymaker remained as a pro with the company.
2020 has been a year. Sad news. Thanks for everything @PokerStars pic.twitter.com/tT1rZ12QGr
— Chris Moneymaker (@CMONEYMAKER) December 31, 2020
That all changed on Thursday as Moneymaker announced that he is leaving PokerStars effective immediately. He made the announcement on social media and told the world that the time was right for his departure. Moneymaker says he will focus on other endeavors now that he is no longer with the company.
After signing with PokerStars, Moneymaker traveled the world playing poker and representing the company. He was even able to form the Moneymaker Tour, a series of low buy-in tournaments that traveled to smaller casinos. The tournament series proved popular with recreational players.
Moneymaker leaving PokerStars is not a complete surprise as the company has been in a constant state of shift over the last few years. The company has parted ways with many top pros and focused its attention on social media influencers and celebrities to promote the site. Even Daniel Negreanu parted ways with the company and ultimately joined GGPoker.
Moneymaker did not reveal his future plans, so it is unclear whether he will be taking another poker job or moving in a different direction. We will definitely see him at the tables at some point as he still loves the game and it is impossible to see someone so connected to the game leaving for good.