In October 2011, NBC announced that the National Heads-Up Poker Championship would not return in 2012, ending the championship's seven-year run. After a one-year hiatus, the tournament returned for a final time in 2013. 1/3 EPISODE 6 National Heads Up Poker Championship 2011. National Heads Up Poker Championship 2006 Ep05 pt3.

It is no coincidence that NBC’s National Heads-Up Poker Championship (NHUPC) takes place in March, the same month as the NCAA college basketball tournament. Collegiate March Madness is arguably the most famous bracket-style tournament in the world, so why not have poker’s version take place while sports fans are in the mood for some elimination competitions?

Just as there are always debates on who should and should not have made the field in basketball, so are there similar discussions about the NHUPC field. Since the selections were announced, members of the TwoPlusTwo poker forums have weighed in on the biggest snubs. With that, here are several players who may have been snubbed from this year’s field:

Shannon Shorr – 25-years old – Has won $3.75 million in live tournaments, including almost a million bucks for winning the Bellagio Cup in 2006 at the age of 21. He has made several final tables at major events, including the Aussie Millions, three World Series of Poker (WSOP) events, and two World Poker Tour (WPT) events. Shorr has also had multiple six-figure scores online.

Scott Seiver – 25-years old – Has won over $2.2 million on the live tournament circuit. Won a WSOP bracelet in 2008, won the High Roller event at the 2010 L.A. Poker Classic, and just placed second in the Heads-Up Championship at the 2011 L.A. Poker Classic.

Luke “_fullflush1_” Schwartz – 26-years old – Often obnoxious and not afraid to speak his mind, Schwartz is an accomplished online player and one of the more entertaining, if not controversial, characters around. Was temporarily banned from the European Poker Tour (EPT) and Grosvenor Casinos for stealing a sandwich.

2011 Heads Up Poker Championship Bracket

Isaac Haxton – A prolific high-stakes cash game player online, Haxton has also had his share of success in live tournaments. He placed second in the 2007 PokerStars Caribbean Poker Adventure and in the $40,000 No Limit Hold’em 40th Anniversary Event at the 2010 WSOP.

One player who received a lot of mention in the forums despite not being a 20-something was Antanas “Tony G” Guoga. Tony G is a polarizing figure in the world of poker, as people tend to either love him or hate him because of his mouth at the tables. Many people find the PartyPoker pro to be very entertaining, which is why his name came up on TwoPlusTwo as one of the biggest snubs.

Tony G himself actually chimed in on the forums, expressing his disappointment over not being invited. He wrote, in part, “[NHUPC Executive Producer Mori Eskandani] is a nice person and a good solid player from all accounts I have heard. He also has all the power and selects the field and it’s clear there are many mates and favorites that are in the club and need to be in no matter what. But the selection process is a farce. He is from the old school and probably hates what I do on TV. I am pissed for missing out for 4 years in a row and pissed at having to beg him to be considered for the NBC Heads-Up.”

Also named by several people was 2007 WSOP Main Event champ Jerry Yang. Despite his achievement, Yang has never been a high-profile poker personality. And while many viewed his run at the WSOP final table as one filled with a lot of good fortune, most people respect him for his generosity and being grounded as a poker player. While he is no longer eligible for an automatic bid, many feel he should have been invited because of his recent championship and because he is a good representative of the poker community.

2011 Heads Up Poker Championship Leaderboard

What do you think? Who were the biggest NHUPC snubs? Comment here and let us know!