Poker Hall of Fame Welcomes Barry Greenstein And Linda Johnson
October 29, 2011 10:03 amAfter much deliberation, the two newest members to be voted into the World Series of Poker Hall of Fame have been named as Barry Greenstein and Linda Johnson.
The two poker ambassadors will now take their place amongst a pantheon of legendary poker figures, although they will have to wait until November 8th to be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame. The ceremony will then take place on the sidelines of the WSOP Main Event Final Table, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.
Turning our attention to the latest inductees, Barry Greenstein has long been one of the most successful players on the circuit and has amassed $7,569,692 in live tournament winnings, placing him 29th on poker’s All Time Money List. Greenstein has captured three WSOP gold bracelets and two World Poker Tour titles along the way, and has also been a regular at the highest stake cash-games in the world.
In addition, the 56 year-old is noted for his tireless philanthropy and has earned the title “The Robin Hood of Poker,” having given over $3 million of his winnings to charities over the years. The father of two children and four stepchildren is also an accomplished poker author. Commenting on the latest honour to be bestowed upon him, Barry Greenstein said:
“I’m happy to be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside my friend Linda Johnson, who has been the most fervent ambassador for poker for as long as I can remember.”
Like Greenstein, Linda Johnson, too, comes with her own veritable nickname “The First Lady of Poker.” Since the 1980’s she has been intensely influential in the poker world, having owned Card Player magazine for eight years, as well as helping to establish the World Poker Tour and the Tournament Directors Association (TDA). She is currently sitting on the Board of the Directors of the Ladies International Poker Series and Poker Players Alliance.
Furthermore, Linda Johnson has been a professional poker player since 1974, having won over $300,000 in live tournament earnings throughout her career including a WSOP bracelet in 1997 in the $1,500 seven-card razz event. Prior to Black Friday, she was a prolific internet player and spent up to 30 hours each week online.
“I am extremely proud and humbled to be voted into the Poker Hall of Fame. I feel lucky to have been involved in many facets of poker over the past 35 years. Being recognized by the industry is a tremendous honor,” commented Johnson.