The final stretch towards the Poker Hall of Fame 2026 has already begun, but the conversation seems to have shifted from focusing on cards to a much more controversial ground: politics. And it was Bryn Kenney 
In an interview granted to PokerOrg, the American strongly defended the candidacy of Justin Bonomo
Bonomo has publicly acknowledged that he fears some voting members will never support him due to his open stance in favor of Palestine. For Kenney, that possibility is unacceptable. «We are talking about poker. Justin deserves to be in the Hall of Fame for his career, not because someone agrees with his opinions», he stated.
The Nominees To Enter The Poker Hall Of Fame In 2026. The Inducted Members Will Be Officially Announced Between August 3 And 5, 2026.
The leader of the historical earnings ranking even went further. He assured that he respects Bonomo’s courage to defend his convictions, even if he doesn’t necessarily share all of them, and emphasized that the Hall of Fame should only evaluate sporting performance.
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A battle between giants
Kenney recalled sharing countless battles with Bonomo both live and online and described him as one of the five toughest opponents he faced. He also highlighted his historic 2018, a season in which Bonomo won nearly US$20 million, including the prestigious Big One for One Drop, a year that, according to him, remains one of the most impressive ever seen in professional poker.
The phrase that ignited the discussion came at the end of the interview. Kenney, who will turn 40 this year and will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2027, stated that if Bonomo is left out, he is not interested in being part of the select group either.
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“If Justin is not in the Hall of Fame, for me all of this is a complete joke. If that’s the case, I’m not going to show up to receive any award,” he declared.
Should the Hall of Fame exclusively judge a career at the tables or also consider the public impact and personal stances of its candidates? A discussion that, judging by the reactions, is just beginning.
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