The Minnesota Poker Hall of Fame committee this week announced its 2016 inductee and welcomed Anthony Hartmann of Shakopee, Minn. as its newest member. Hartmann has been a vital part of the Minnesota poker community since the 1980s. He is an original rounder, having played in Midwestern home games with the likes of “Minneapolis” Jim Meehan, Phil Hellmuth, and Big Al Emerson. Hartmann has been a tireless promoter of poker and has introduced many of Minnesota’s most successful players to the game.
“He’s the last of a dying breed,” said Michael Hochman, Canterbury Park’s Vice President of Casino Operations. “Here’s a guy who came up from mucking pan in home games, to hustling gin players three times his age, to showing triple-digit tournament success, and continued live-poker success, both locally and nationally.”
“His reputation truly precedes him,” Jim LeVoir, Running Aces Casino and Racetrack Tournament Manager, said. “Players often remark about any tournament table that Tony is playing on as being a tough table draw.”
Hartmann began showing up on the tournament circuit in 1993 when he finished 15th in the $1500 Omaha 8 event at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Some of his tournament highlights include a $16,269 cash at the 2002 Jack Binion Open $10K event in Tunica, Miss., a $120,927 final table finish in the same event two years later, and finally a first-place finish in Tunica in 2007 for a $147,988 cash.
“When I made the final table in Tunica, I was sandwiched between Chip Reese and Barry Greenstein. It was nerve-racking as hell,” Hartmann said. “But what an honor to be able to play with Chip. Now that guy, he’s earned his status as a legend.”
Hartmann has cashed in virtually every major poker tour, including WSOP Circuit, The Heartland Poker Tour, the World Poker Tour, the World Series of Poker, and the Mid-States Poker Tour. He has shown both tournament and live success in New Jersey, Nevada, Mississippi, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Indiana, as well as Minnesota.
While he’s a deadly opponent, at the table his demeanor is light and funny. “I’m more about the players than the game. I love the characters,” Hartmann said, “I also love how poker has afforded me the ability to spend more time with my wife and kids.” While not one to toot his own horn, Hartmann is very well known for his local philanthropy. He’s extremely generous to Toys for Tots, Second Harvest, and local animal shelters. He is legendary for his generosity to those who work in the service industry. “I’ve been very fortunate; very blessed,” Hartmann said. “People from all walks of life have shown me kindness. I like being able to give it back.”
Hartmann joins Meehan, Blake Bohn, Mike Schneider and Lyle Berman as members of the Minnesota Poker Hall of Fame.
The Minnesota Poker Hall of Fame is governed by a board consisting of poker industry professionals, poker players, and poker media. It was created in 2013 to recognize Minnesota poker players who have met the following criteria:
* The nominee must have a strong Minnesota connection, either by birth or residence.
* The nominee must have played consistently amongst acknowledged competition.
* The nominee must have withstood the test of time.
* The nominee must have played at a high level, consistently well, gaining the respect of peers.
* Or the nominee must have significantly contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker in Minnesota.
