Deputy Editor
Jack McClelland, an influential tournament director, accomplished player, and member of the Poker Hall of Fame, has died at age 74.
Poker legend Phil Hellmuth called McClelland “the greatest tournament director of all time” in a mournful video on X.
“Jack was a giant in our industry,” Hellmuth said. “Just a really great person to be around. Jack, I love you. May you rest in peace.
“We lost a giant today, folks.”
McClelland’s Career In Poker Spanned Work, Play
McClelland built a long career in the industry, working his way up to directing tournaments at the two highest-profile live operators, the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour. He also cashed for more than $500,000 as a player, including four WSOP final tables, according to his Card Player profile.
In a 2014 interview with Card Player following his retirement, McClelland explained that he got his start in poker as a dealer at the Sahara.
Eventually, the WSOP’s Eric Drache brought him on as TD, a job McClelland began in 1984. He worked to improve the tournament scene for everyone from players to dealers and staff.
McClelland took a job as TD at Bellagio in 2002 and oversaw the debut of the WPT. He helped convince his bosses, including Bobby Baldwin, that the product was viable. The popularity of the WPT helped pave the way for the poker boom.
McClelland retired in 2014 and earned election to the Poker Hall of Fame later that year.
He then transitioned to life as a player and began piling up poker cashes in everything from $150 Orleans dailies to $10,000 WSOP events. Nearly all of his poker cashes came during his later years.
“Thank you, Jack McClelland, for your service and unwavering passion for the game. A true poker man and even better gentleman,” said WSOP CEO Ty Stewart. “Whether as player, tournament director, or friend, everyone knew the poker room was made better by your presence.”
Image credit: WPT/Flickr (license)
