Linda Johnson and Barry Greenstein will be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame on November 8, 2011 just prior to the conclusion of the WSOP Main Event final table. Both players have an impressive track record in tournaments and cash games, but more importantly both are also true ambassadors of the game and have displayed their professionalism and class to foster a new image for the game and contribute to the massive growth poker has seen over the last ten years.
Linda, known as the “First Lady of Poker,” is just the second woman to enter the Poker Hall of Fame. In 1997 she became one of just 15 women to have won an open WSOP gold bracelet when she took down the Seven-Card Razz tournament. After experiencing early success in tournaments, she quit her job at the U.S. Post Office in 1980 and became one of the few women who played poker professionally in Las Vegas. Linda played poker full-time until 1993 when she bought Card Player magazine. Linda used her status as publisher to become an ambassador for the poker world and is known for hosting poker tournaments at cardrooms around the country and on cruises around the world. She was the studio announcer for the World Poker Tour during its first six seasons and was voted as the original chairperson for the Poker Players Alliance.
Barry has three WSOP bracelets and two WPT titles on his impressive poker resume. He is also known for playing in super high stakes cash games. Barry earned the nickname the “Robin Hood of Poker” because of his propensity to donate his tournament profits to numerous different charities. Barry is the author of the best-selling poker book “Ace on the River” and is now known for giving an autographed copy of his book to the player who eliminates him from a tournament. Barry is currently a sponsored pro for Pokerstars.com and can be found playing at cardrooms in California and Las Vegas and in tournaments around the world.
Congratulations to the two newest members of the Poker Hall of Fame!