Mike Schneider of Minneapolis became the second member of The Minnesota Poker Hall of Fame when his induction was announced Saturday evening. Schneider has been a successful online player since the early 2000s and hit the international poker radar when in 2006 he became the youngest person to win The Party Poker Million for a $1 million payday at the age of 22.
He captured first place and more than $80,000 at Canterbury Park’s Twin Cities Poker Open in 2008. In 2012 he won the first ever H.O.R.S.E. event at the Fall Poker Classic at the Shakopee, Minn. casino and followed that up by defeating a field of 264 to win the Fall Poker Classic Championship Event and $63,700.
In 2014 Schneider won the Midwest Poker Classic’s main event and $48,425 at Running Aces Harness Park in Columbus, Minn., bringing his lifetime tournament winnings to more than $1.5 million.
“This year we allowed the poker-playing public to submit nominations and there was an overwhelming amount of support for Schneids,” said Michael Hochman, Senior Director of Casino Operations at Canterbury Park. “I’m not at all surprised. He’s been a very successful pro since 2005, both in live and tournament play, and is considered one of the best limit poker players alive. He’s also about the nicest guy in the room, always positive and very pro-poker. He’s a fantastic ambassador for the game.”
Tristan Wilberg, a member of the Minnesota Poker Hall of Fame’s governing board and Poker Tournament Director at Running Aces has been equally impressed with Schneider. “Mike has proven himself to excel at almost every aspect of poker,” Wilberg said. “He consistently wins on cash games, has won several major tournaments, and is well respected in the poker community. Each time I talk with him, I can tell how much he truly understands poker. He is an excellent choice for the Minnesota Poker Hall of Fame.”
“Being inducted into the Minnesota Poker Hall of Fame is without a doubt one of my proudest achievements as a poker professional because there is little that can compare to receiving validation from your peers,” Schneider said. “It truly is humbling to be the second member of the hall, especially because this state is home to a ton of poker talent.”
In 2013, Lyle Berman became the first member of Minnesota Poker Hall of Fame.
Schneider, 30, is a 2002 graduate of Eagan High School. He received a degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Minnesota in 2006.
“I’m grateful for the fortunate luck I’ve had in both poker and life, and my family and friends who’ve helped shape my development as a poker player,” Schneider said.
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.
