Jason Koon Inducted Into the Poker Hall of Fame Class of 2026

In 2025, when asked about the possibility of inclusion in the Poker Hall of Fame, Jason Koon told PokerNews he’d “see what the people in there think.”

Now, having only turned 40 last August — a prerequisite for induction — the 33 living members of the Hall have decided he deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Despite a highly publicized change to the induction process, Koon will be the sole inductee for 2026.

Koon’s Illustrious Poker Career

Koon’s induction was announced by WSOP broadcaster Jeff Platt during a break in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table action. After learning his peers had nominated him, Koon told Platt it was one of the best moments he’s had in poker in 20 years.

As of August 2026, Koon sits third in poker’s All Time Money List with over $77 million in career earnings.

Koon is the highest-ranked player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, with neither leader Bryn Kenney (39), nor second-place Stephen Chidwick (37) yet eligible for induction.

Close to $2 million of that came less than two months ago, when he took down Event #32: $50,000 High Roller for his second WSOP bracelet, five years after his first in the prestigious $25K Heads-Up Championship.

Between these two victories, Koon has impacted the poker world both on and off the felt. He’s served as Ambassador for PartyPoker, GGPoker and is now a member of PokerStars Team Pro, the site where he first played online poker.

He has also served as a Triton Poker Ambassador since 2019, winning a record 12 titles — 5 more than anyone else. His largest cash came in the Triton Poker Series, winning over $3.5 million in the 2018 Triton Montenegro HK$1,000,000 Short Deck.

So Who Missed Out This Year?

Koon was one of five first-time nominees this year, alongside eight-time WSOP bracelet winner Shaun Deeb , Isaac Haxton, Chris Moorman and Justin Bonomo.

PokerStars founder Isai Scheinberg misses out for the seventh time, behind only Ted Forrest (8), Matt Savage (10), and Mike Matusow, who extends his unwanted record, having been nominated 12 times since 2013 without being inducted.

Scott Seiver also misses out having been nominated for the second straight year after becoming eligible for the first time in 2025.

_{*This is a developing story and will be updated.}

Based in the United Kingdom, Will started working for PokerNews as a freelance live reporter in 2015 and joined the full-time staff in 2019. He now works as Managing Editor.

He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He also holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism.