Bluff names Harry Reid to its "Power 20"

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Bluff Magazine named its “Power 20” for poker in 2011.

Not surprisingly, decorated professional poker player Howard Lederer, a fan-favorite and consultant to Internet poker companies was at the top of the list. Lederer is a vocal advocate for legalizing online poker.

The No. 4 name on the list might surprise some; U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

The Nevada Democrat spent most of December attempting get an online poker bill passed during the congressional lame duck session that would have called for federal regulation of the activity.

Bluff Magazine editors said Reid knows how to work the system and could be the key for Internet poker’s eventual legalization.

“His first attempt to get the regulation passed fell flat, but Nevada’s land-based operators, who backed his re-election efforts in November, are looking to the Democratic senator to continue to push the matter during his current term,” the magazine’s editors wrote.

Isai Scheinberg, the founder of online gaming giant PokerStars, was No. 2 on the list followed by World Series of Poker Executive Director Ty Stewart.

Poker player agent Brian Balsbaugh, the founder of Poker Royalty, with fifth on the “Power 20.”