Canterbury Park recently announced that they will be starting a Minnesota Poker Hall of Fame. I think this is great news. It helps legitimize the game and gives recognition those who have worked to support the poker in Minnesota for a long time. It isn't clear what the criteria will be for becoming a member of the Hall, and I'm not going to propose a list of who I think is worthy for consideration (others with more qualifications have already done that). But I do think this hall will help with something that all poker players should care about, growing the game itself.
Just like other group activities, if you aren't growing, you're shrinking. And we need lots of people playing to make sure that there are a variety of stakes (e.g. $2-4 to $50-100) and formats (e.g. Hold'em, Omaha, tournament and cash) available. We always need new people coming into the game. Several of the smaller rooms around the state have closed, so is this going to be the start of the decline of poker? I'd like not to think so. Things may have grown too fast during the early days of the poker boom. And we may need to have a slower, more sustainable growth trajectory, but I think poker can be a growing industry for years to come.
And now that online poker, which I believe is one of the best ways expand the game, isn't readily available to Minnesotans, we have to find other creative ways to grow the game. Lots of people are looking for something to get their competitive juices flowing and poker has that in spades. Likewise people are always looking to be part of something larger than themselves. Something to give them a sense of community. Things like the MN Poker Hall of Fame can help do that. The recent team tournaments are another example.
People with a cynical bent may be saying this is all a marketing ploy by Canterbury Park. And I do agree this is a brilliant marketing move by the card room, but I believe it will be as much a marketing campaign for the game of poker as for the card room itself. I'd like to shout from the rooftops that poker is the greatest game in the world and everyone should give it a shot. But likely no one would listen, and I'd probably either fall or be arrested. (Assuming the roof was strong enough to support my weight.)
For more great news I have heard from John Morgan, part owner of Canterbury Park, that they will be working with Running Aces to establish the members of the hall. I think this is fantastic. The two rooms can only make it so far by trying to lure players from each other. They both must try to recruit new players. And as the saying goes, "A rising tide lifts all boats."
So my thanks and congratulations go out to Canterbury Park for starting up the Hall of Fame. I'm looking forward to hearing who the first round of inductees will be on October 4. (Also looking forward to the screening of Bet Raise Fold starring Minnesota's own Danielle "dmoongirl" Andersen the same day.)
Let me know what you think. Do you agree?
NOTE: It should be made clear that the hall of fame is for Minnesota poker, not just Canterbury Park or Running Aces.
