On Wednesday, the finalists for the Poker Hall of Fame Class of 2013 were announced. Ten poker legends are being considered this year and I am fortunate to be one of 18 members of the media who will vote for induction. The criteria we’ll be using to consider whether to vote for a person are as follows:

1. A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
2. Be a minimum of 40 years old at time of nomination
3. Played for high stakes
4. Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers
5. Stood the test of time
6. Or, for non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results

When I first saw the list, I noticed there are plenty of links to the old Full Tilt Poker, which, given its current battle against the U.S. Government and the fact that players in the U.S. still have not been repaid (even though the process has begun), could weigh on the voting panel. With that in mind, here are the 10 finalists and my thoughts on each:

Chris Bjorin: A Swedish legend. Bjorin has two World Series of Poker bracelets and has cashed for at least six-figures in live MTTs for the last 13 years straight, according to the Hendon Mob, which is quite an accomplishment in itself. He is #1 on Sweden’s all-time money list by nearly $2 million and is also #1 in number of cashes by Swedish players. I question his influence outside of Sweden and Europe.

Humberto Brenes (pictured): When I was getting into poker, Brenes was all the rage. His laser-pointing shark card protector made him a memorable character. He is fourth all-time in terms of number of WSOP cashes at six-dozen and second in Main Events cashed in at nine. He has had a huge influence on poker in Central America, but I question his sway outside of that region and wonder whether he has stood the test of time.

David Chiu: He definitely has the poker chops. Five WSOP bracelets, including one this year, and a WPT Championship grace his poker CV. Unlike Bjorin and Brenes, Chiu’s influence does not seem to reach as far, although there’s no questioning he is one of the top poker minds in the world.

Thor Hansen: He is another European sensation. Hansen, who is originally from Norway, has two WSOP bracelets, although his most recent one came 11 years ago. His prowess extends into cash games and tournaments, although I question whether his poker accomplishments stack up to the other players on this list.

Jennifer Harman: There’s no question that Harman is one of the top female players poker has ever seen. However, her association as a member of Team Full Tilt has landed her on the wrong end of Full Tilt-related litigation and frustration. Her charity work has been well documented, but she has cashed in live poker tournaments just four times since 2011, according to the Hendon Mob. Harman appeared on TLC’s “Sin City Rules,” which probably didn’t help poker’s acceptability in the public eye.

Mike Matusow (pictured): “The Mouth” has the same Full Tilt Poker link Harman does. He was a member of Team Full Tilt, although his poker accomplishments are second to none. Matusow has final tabled the Main Event twice (2001 and 2005) and won the National Heads-Up Poker Championship earlier this year. I know Matusow is a fan favorite, but I question how much his association with the old Full Tilt will hurt him in the eyes of the panel.

Tom McEvoy: I was on the voting block several years back and pushed hard for McEvoy. I think his work away from the felts, which includes a host of poker books, makes him worthy of nomination and I’m pleased to see him back on this list. He was also instrumental in eliminating smoking from many poker rooms, won the 1983 WSOP Main Event, and took down the 2009 WSOP Champions Invitational. He will likely receive a portion of my vote.

Carlos Mortensen (pictured): Another name that jumps off the page this year is Carlos Mortensen. Not only has Mortensen been a positive European ambassador for poker, but he is also the only person ever to win the WSOP Main Event and WPT Championship, which could, by itself, make him worthy of induction. This year, Mortensen was the Final Table Bubble Boy in the Main Event.

Scotty Nguyen: Nguyen’s victory in the 2008 HORSE Championship aired on ESPN and featured the acclaimed poker pro cursing, drinking, and generally projecting a poor image of poker and poker players. He has since apologized, but has only cashed once in 2013 according to the Hendon Mob. Nguyen is also the only player to have won the WSOP Main Event and the $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship, but I wonder how much his antics five years ago will weigh on the panel’s mind.

Huck Seed: The most accomplished player in National Heads-Up Poker Championship history. Seed also has close ties to the old Full Tilt, but his poker chops cannot be ignored. He has four WSOP bracelets, a Main Event title in 1996, and a WSOP Tournament of Champions win in 2010. He is also 10 feet tall.

I am leaning toward Mortensen and McEvoy, but want your input before I cast my ballot by October 11. Who would you vote for and why? You can comment here or lend your thoughts in this PocketFives thread.

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