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Global Poker Awards Nominations Announced, Ceremony Coming March 3 from Las Vegas

The Global Poker Index and Hendon Mob recently announced the final nominations for the 2023 Global Poker Awards.

The Global Poker Index and Hendon Mob recently announced the final nominations for the 2023 Global Poker Awards. The fifth annual ceremony is set for March 3 and showcases some of the best in poker. 

The awards highlight some of the brightest players on the felt along with those in the industry. PokerGO will stream the ceremony from the streaming service’s studio at the Aria in Las Vegas.

Some of this years nominees include Joey Ingram, the World Series of Poker’s Jack Effel, PokerGO’s Mori Eskandani, Daniel Negreanu, and numerous others.

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A look at Global Poker Award nominees

Some of this year’s categories include Best Poker Personality, Best Trophy, Best Hand, Favorite Live Stream, and more. Fans and poker players were able to vote for their favorite choices to narrow down the nominees. 

The event returned last year after a pause during the pandemic.  Poker commentator Jeff Platt returns to host the event and was pleased to be back last year after the hiatus. 

“It is good to be back in person,” Platt said. “After 23 months off we are here to celebrate the very best this industry has to offer.”

Some in the industry are looking to make it back-to-back this year. That list includes poker vlogger Brad Owen, tournament director Matt Savage, and Platt.

One player to watch is Ethan “Rampage” Yau, who is up for a third trophy in the Peoples’ Choice – Best Poker Personality category. He faces off against Ryan DePaulo, Felipe Ramos, and Lex Veldhuis. Veldhuis has already won the Best Streamer award twice. 

The Best Trophy category will crown a new champion. The PokerStars EPT Main Event, PokerGO Tour Stairway to Millions, Women’s Poker Association, and World Series of Poker Main Event are all nominated.

The Best Hand category sees the infamous Robbie Jade Lew “Jack-Four” hand going up against Daniel Negreanu’s runner-runner quads, David Diaz’s crucial Main Event fold, and a big bluff by Alejandro Lococo (aka Papo MC). Here’s a look at all the nominees.

Global Poker Awards
PLAYERS CHOICE FOR TOUGHEST OPPONENTBEST TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR
Brian Altman (USA)Paul Campbell (USA)
Stephen Chidwick (England)Ray Pulford (USA)
Alex Foxen (USA)Matt Savage (USA)
Stephen Song (USA)Toby Stone (England)
BEST FINAL TABLE PERFORMANCEBEST EVENT
Daniel “Jungleman” Cates (USA), WSOP $50,000 PPCEPT Barcelona Main Event
Espen Uhlen Jørstad (Norway), WSOP Main EventTriton Poker Coin Rivet Invitational
Daniel Negreanu (Canada), Super High Roller Bowl VIIWorld Series of Poker Main Event
Stephen Song (USA), WPT Prime ChampionshipWPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas
GPI BREAKOUT PLAYERBEST MID-MAJOR CIRCUIT/TOUR
Angela Jordison (USA)RUNGOOD Poker Series (RGPS)
Espen Uhlen Jørstad (Norway)Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT)
Alejandro Lococo “PapoMC” (Argentina)World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC)
Punnat Punsri (Thailand)WPT Prime (WPTP)
Ethan “Rampage” Yau (USA)
BEST BROADCASTER
COMEBACK PLAYERJames Hartigan (Ireland)
Phil Ivey (USA)Jamie Kerstetter (USA)
Alex Keating (USA)Jeff Platt (USA)
Taylor von Kriegenbergh (USA)Nick Schulman (USA)
Daniel Weinman (USA)
BEST PODCAST
TWITTER PERSONALITYOnly Friends Podcast (Matt Berkey (USA), Melissa Schubert (USA), Landon Tice (USA) & Friends)
Phil Galfond (USA)Poker in the Ears (James Hartigan (Ireland), Joseph Stapleton (USA) for PokerStars)
Will Jaffe (USA)PokerGO Podcast (Timothy Duckworth (Australia), Donnie Peters (USA), Remko Rinkema (Netherlands) for PokerGO)
Jamie Kerstetter (USA)The Chip Race Poker Podcast (David Lappin (Ireland), Dara O’Kearney (Ireland) for Unibet Poker)
Marle Spragg (USA)
BEST MEDIA CONTENT: WRITTEN
BEST STREAMERTim Fiorvanti (USA) for WPT.com: Andrew Moreno Made Good on a 15-Year Dream
Kevin Martin “kevinmartin” (Canada)Connor Richards (USA) for PokerNews: The Endlessly Creative Side of Poker Hall of Famer Erik Seidel
Benjamin Spragg “Spraggy” (England)Jennifer Shahade (USA) for the Wall Street Journal: How Becoming a Poker Pro Helped Me Accept a Personal Tragedy
Jon Van Fleet “apestylespoker” (USA)Robbie Strazynski (Israel/USA) for Cardplayer Lifestyle: In the Name of the Father, the Son... and the Poker
Lex Veldhuis “LexVeldhuis” (Netherlands)
BEST MEDIA CONTENT: VIDEO
BEST VLOGGERCaitlin Comeskey (USA): A love letter to the investigation parody
Jaman Burton (USA)Joey Ingram (USA): Emergency Investigation: Garrett vs. Robbi on Hustler Live
Mariano Grandoli (ARG)Gregory “Greg Goes All In” Liow (Canada): Poker vlogger who doesn’t understand that the voice over is done in post
Brad Owen (USA)Marle Spragg (USA): Solvers.
Ethan “Rampage” Yau (USA)
BEST MEDIA CONTENT: PHOTO
RISING STAR IN CONTENT CREATIONAntonio Abrego (USA) for PokerGO: “Oooooooooooo yeah!”
Natalie Bode (USA)Hayley Hochstetler (USA): Glantz Pulls Million Dollar Bounty
Caitlin Comeskey (USA)Alec Rome (USA) for PokerNews/WSOP: Schindler Wins First WSOP Bracelet
Jesse Fullen (USA)Spenser Sembrat (USA) for PokerNews/WSOP: “That First Bracelet Feeling”
Lexy Gavin-Mather (USA)
BEST INDUSTRY PERSON
Ryan Beauregard (USA)
Jack Effel (USA)
Mori Eskandani (Iran/USA)
Tana Karn (USA)

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Global Poker Awards Roll Out Categories for 2023 Awards Including Some New Additions

The Global Poker Index and Hendon Mob recently announced the final nominations for the 2023 Global Poker Awards.

The Global Poker Awards are back this year with the fourth annual ceremony set for March 3 at the PokerGO Studio at the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The annual ceremony is presented by the Global Poker Index (GPI) and The Hendon Mob (THM). The event recognizes some of the best in the game from play on the felt to poker content to special moments.

Organizers announced this year’s 29 categories on Monday and PokerGO will stream the ceremony starting at 5:30 pm PT.

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A look at this year’s Global Poker Awards

When the awards get underway, poker fans can expect a ceremony featuring awards for players and poker moments but also for media content, best hands, and the annual poker icon recognition.

The GPI already named players of the year earlier this month and those players will be recognized as well. These players will receive their trophies for topping the standings in 2022 in several categories.

  • Stephen Song – Player of the Year and Mid-Major Player of the Year
  • Cherish Andrews – Female Player of the Year

The GPI Players Choice trophy also returns and is voted on by the GPI top 100 ranked players. Other categories include Poker Icon, Final Table Performance, Best Blogger, and Streamer.

New awards introduced, fan voting in the mix

Organizers also added three new categories including Best Comeback Player. Voters choose from a list of star players who haven’t been ranked inside the GPI top 1,000 in any of the three previous point-scoring seasons (2018, 2019, 2022).

Content creators also get a chance at a new award. This year sees the Rising Star in Content Creation celebrate those new to content creation, but creating some buzz.

Poker fans will again have a chance to vote themselves in the final round in the Fans Choice Awards. These feature four categories, including the new “Fave Live Stream” Award. This celebrates those working in front and behind the scenes in the live poker streaming world.

Fans also get to vote for three returning categories: Best Hand, Poker Personality, and Best Trophy. In the industry awards, the Mid-Major Tour/Festival Award returns for this year’s ceremony. This trophy is up for grabs for the first time since 2020.

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Voting begins for all awards

Many of the awards are determined by voting panel members. Those preliminary round ballots went out Monday. Final round voting then begins on Jan. 29.

Final nominees are then expected to be announced on Feb. 2. Last year’s awards became the first ceremony since 2019 because of the pandemic. Among the awards handed out included Brad Owen earning Best Vlogger and Veronica Brill received Best Charitable Initiative.

Enrique Malfavon scored Photo of the Year for capturing the World Series of Poker Main Event bubble boy Kevin Campbell. GPI  posthumously awarded Poker Icon to Mike Sexton. Matt Savage earned Industry Person of the Year.

Voters named Paul Campbell as Tournament Director of the Year and the WSOP Main Event took Best Event of the Year. Here’s a look at all the categories for this year’s awards.

Fourth Annual Global Poker Awards categories

GPI Poker Player of the YearThe Hendon Mob AwardBest Broadcaster
GPI Female Player of the YearBest Twitter PersonalityBest Podcast
GPI Mid-Major Player of the YearCharitable InitiativeBest Media Content: Written
PGT Player of the YearBest StreamerBest Media Content: Video
GPI Breakout PlayerBest VloggerBest Media Content: Photo
Best Final Table PerformanceRising Star in Content CreationFans Choice: Poker Personality
Poker ICONBest Industry PersonFans Choice: Best Hand
Players' Choice for Toughest OpponentBest Tournament DirectorFans Choice: Best Trophy
Comeback PlayerBest EventFans Choice: Fave Live Stream
GPI Award of MeritBest Mid-Major Tour/Festival

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Global Poker Index Rankings Kick Off New Season With Jeremy Ausmus Leading the Pack

The Global Poker Index’s recently kicked off the site's set of international rankings recently with Jeremy Ausmus leading the field so far.

With live poker returning to normal, many players may be looking at competing on some of the game’s biggest stages. Those who do once again have a chance to battle on the Global Poker Index’s (GPI) set of international rankings.

The standings offer players a shot to see how they stack up against top competition. Those topping the standings are honored by the GPI at the annual Global Poker Awards.

The company officially launched the 2022 races recently with Jeremy Ausmus leading the charge.

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Ausmus takes an early lead

It’s been a nice year so far for Ausmus. His 2022 record has included a win at the PokerGO Cup in Las Vegas. He also earned a top 10 finish at the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Lucky Hearts Poker Open in Florida.

Ausmus’s big run continued recently with a title in the PokerGO US Poker Open. A victory in a $10,000 No Limit Hold’em event added another $178,200 to his haul this year

Ausmus is hoping for another series championship at the USPO after topping the PokerGO Cup standings earlier in the year.

“It would be really cool to win back-to-back majors,” Ausmus said after the USPO win. “I know (David) Peters won this twice (US Poker Open), but I don’t think anyone has won back to back. The older I get, the more important it is to me. My kids think it’s cool. If I win trophies, they can see me way up in the standings.”

The Las Vegas resident sits just ahead of fellow American Brock Wilson with defending GPI player of the year Ali Imsirovic currently in third.

In the GPI’s continuously updated rankings, Imsirovic sits in the top spot ahead of Shannon Shorr in second and Ausmus in third.

A look at other leaderboards

The GPI also runs a few other races including one for female players. Florida’s Kristen Nyman leads the pack in that competition and has already collected 10 cashes this year.

Nyman has found in-the-money finishes in the Stairway to Millions, a Mid-States Poker Tour event at the,Venetian, and the Wynn Millions Main Event.

Germany’s Jessica “Lilith” Vierling is in second with defending GPI female player of the year Nadya Magnus in 11th.

In the mid-major race, Ankit Ahuja starts as the leader and hopes to take the title from inaugural winner David Mzareulov. Ahuja’s season so far includes a Venetian DeepStack Showdown Series victory earlier this month in Las Vegas.

With plenty of big tournaments on tap in the coming weeks and months, including the World Series of Poker, the action should heat up even more. Here’s a look at all the rankings so far as of March 24.

GPI Global Rankings

  1. Almedin “Ali” Imsirovic, 3,142.28 points
  2. Shannon “BLUFFforRENT” Shorr, 3,109.37
  3. Jeremy “TheTaker” Ausmus, 2,916.744th – Chance Kornuth, 2,847.32
  4. Sean Perry, 2,776.59

GPI POY 2022

  1. Jeremy “TheTaker” Ausmus, 2,931.03 points
  2. Almedin “Ali” Imsirovic, 2,221.79
  3. Sean Perry, 2,158.74
  4. Brock Wilson, 2,048.32
  5. Shannon “BLUFFforRENT” Shorr, 1,719.60

Female POY 2022

  1. Kristen Nyman, 1,404.27 points
  2. Jessica “Lilith” Vierling, 1,252.63
  3. Christina “Baby Shark” Gollins, 1,221.59
  4. Elanit Hasas, 792.46
  5. Kelly Samson, 753.58

Mid-Major POY

  1. Ankit Ahuja, 1,469.01 points
  2. Tuan “Twannybo” Mai, 1,353.84
  3. Vincent Moscati, 1,258.49
  4. Badr Imejjane, 1,254.98
  5. Jessica “Lilith” Vierling, 1,252.63
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GPI Celebrates 10 Years of Rankings With Relaunch for 2021, Adds New Mid-Major Race

The Global Poker Index celebrated a decade of rankings last week and has now relaunched the points and 2021 Player of the Year (POY) races.

The loss of live poker in 2020 was not only an issue for casinos and poker tours, but also other aspects of the poker industry. That included the Global Poker Index (GPI) international rankings. 

The rankings were deactivated for the last 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the GPI celebrated a decade of rankings last week and has now relaunched the points and 2021 Player of the Year (POY) races. 

The index is now back in force for the first time in a year. Along with the relaunch, the GPI also kicked off a new “Mid-Major Player of the Year” leaderboard. Organizers unveiled the slogan “10 years of rankings” in conjunction with the new announcements.

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History of the GPI

The GPI, which also owns The Hendon Mobe, officially launched on June 27, 2011, with Jason Mercier as the first player to hold the top spot. Since then, 19 other players earned the top rank including Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier, Daniel Negreanu, Erik Seidel, and Vanessa Selbst.

Most recently, Alex Foxen reigned atop the standings as defending back-to-back GPI Player of the Year winner. 

The Global, Female, and National GPI races officially relaunched on June 30, retroactively to Jan. 1. Each qualifying result collected since the start of the year will count toward points and rankings.

Along with Alex Foxen dominating the last two years in the Player of the Year race, Kristen Bicknell has been a force on the female side. The Canadian partypoker pro has won the last three Female Player of the Year titles.

Foxen and Bicknell are quite a poker power couple and recently announced their engagement.

Achieving top spots among the rankings means consistency throughout the year in many tournaments. That was a topic on a recent special episode of The Poker Show podcast announcing the return of the rankings.

“You need to grind, you need to play these tournaments,” GPI President Eric Danis said on the podcast. “We’ve seen for every one of these players, they’ve done it. They’ve gone on tour for a year, two years at a time.”

Adding something new

Along with the GPI relaunch, organizers also announced a new leaderboard. The organization recognized the mid-major circuit at the Global Poker Awards and will now recognize these players as well.

The Mid-Major Player of the Year race includes all eligible open events priced at $2,500 and below with a minimum of 32 entries.

That leaderboard is also retroactive to Jan. 1 and the winner of the new race receives a Global Poker Award.

The new recognition adds some extra competition for players who play lower buy-in events than found among the greater GPI rankings.

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A look at the rankings so far

With the relaunch of the rankings, the battle among poker’s elite is now underway. Considering events since Jan. 1 are now in the mix, how have things shaken out so far?

Joe McKeehen became the GPI’s 20th player to be ranked first in the index’s history. The 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event champion has won 22 qualifying live tournaments. McKeehen replaces Foxen in the top spot.

Before McKeehen’s advancement on June 30, Foxen and Stephen Chidwick were the only players ranked No. 1 since April 18, 2018. 

On the female side, Nadya Magnus ended Bicknell’s streak of 144 consecutive weeks as the No. 1-ranked woman. Magnus also kicks off the 2021 POY season as the top player in the female race.

In the overall POY race, 2018 Breakout Player of the Year Ali Imsirovic takes the lead heading into July. Imsirovic also sits atop the PokerGO Tour Leaderboard.

In the new Mid-Major POY race, Jordan Cristos became the first leader last week. He’s since been passed by Jesse Lonis. Here’s a look at all the rankings so far as of July 27.

GPI Overall Rankings

  1. Joseph McKeehen (USA) – 2,200.88
  2. Nick Pupillo (USA) – 2,125.12
  3. Brian Altman (USA) – 2,107.56
  4. Qing Liu (USA) – 2,103.51
  5. Matas Cimbolas (Lithuania) – 2,102.69

2021 Player of the Year

  1. Ali Imsirovic (Bosnia & Herzegovina) – 2,758.21
  2. Jesse Lonis (USA) – 2,409.35
  3. Qing Liu (USA) – 2,339.32
  4. Alex Foxen (USA) – 2,293.88
  5. Adam Hendrix (USA) – 2,232.61

2021 Female Player of the Year

  1. Nadya Magnus (USA) – 1,974.4
  2. Camille Brown (USA) – 1,115.63
  3. Gloria Jackson (USA) – 1,085.4
  4. Kyna England (USA) – 932.8
  5. Louise Francouer (Canada) – 926.75

2021 Mid-Major Player of the Year

  1. Jesse Lonis (USA) – 2,019.27
  2. Jordan Cristos (USA) – 1,837.17
  3. Joseph Henry (USA) – 1,810.14
  4. Tuan Mai (USA) – 1,790.21
  5. Daniel Sepiol (USA) – 1,702.53
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PokerGO, GPI Reach Deal on Streaming Global Poker Awards in Las Vegas Through 2024

The GPI announced an agreement with PokerGO this week that will see the service streaming the Global Poker Awards through 2024.

The Global Poker Index (GPI) has carved out a niche in the poker world ranking the game’s best players. Over the last few years, the site’s Global Poker Awards have also recognized greatness within the game.

The company announced an agreement with PokerGO this week that will see the service streaming the awards through 2024. Like the first editions in 2019 and 2020, the 2022 ceremony will be in Las Vegas at the PokerGO Studio. 

Because of COVID-19, GPI canceled the awards ceremony in 2021 and will resume in March 2022. The Global Poker Index is part of Mediarex Group sports and entertainment, which also includes Hendon Mob (THM). The awards celebrate notable poker players, media, and industry pioneers.

“We are honored to be a part of celebrating the accomplishments of the most renowned figures in the poker industry,” GPI/THM President Eric Danis said in a news release.

“After having to cancel this year’s ceremony due to the pandemic, we are so excited to welcome the poker world once again to the Global Poker Awards in March 2022 and for years to come.”

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What to expect from 2022 awards

When the awards resume in 2022, poker fans will see more than 20 awards presented. Some of those regularly given out include:

  • GPI Player of the Year
  • GPI Female Player of the Year
  • Poker Icon
  • Players’ Choice Award for Best All-Around Poker Player
  • People’s Choice Award for Hand of the Year

“The Global Poker Awards recognize and celebrate the most elite poker players and significant figures making a notable difference in the industry,” PokerGO President Mori Eskandani said.

“At PokerGO, we aim to give credit to those who make a splash in our sport, and holding these awards in the PokerGO Studio for the next three years allows us to do so.”

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A look back at 2019-20

The last Global Poker Awards saw some of the biggest names in poker collect hardware for 2019 performances. Alex Foxen picked up Player of the Year for the second straight year. Kristen Bicknell claimed the Female Player of the Year for the third year in a row.

As of Thursday, American Nick Pupillo stood atop the standings for 2021. However, Foxen also has a shot to add another title and is currently in seventh.

Bicknell, a partypoker ambassador, remains at the top of the standings on the female side of the rankings. She could be in line for a fourth straight award.

Australia’s Robert Cambell won the award for Breakout Player of the Year. The honor came after a huge World Series of Poker performance that included two bracelet wins.

Phillip Hui took Final Table Performance of the Year for winning the WSOP Poker Players Championship. He won the event for $1.1 million at a final table that included Josh Arieh, John Esposito, Bryce Yockey, Shaun Deeb, and Dan Cates. 

The annual Icon Award went to Johnny Chan. Other winners included:

  • Stephen Chidwick – Players Choice for Toughest Opponent
  • Paul Phua (Triton Poker) – Industry Person of the Year
  • Matt Savage (World Poker Tour) – Tournament Director of the Year
  • PokerStars Players Championship Bahamas – Event of the Year
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And The Award Goes To … Global Poker Awards Set For Vegas On April 5

The film industry has the Oscars, television has the Emmys and the world of music has the Grammys. In the same vein, the poker community will welcome the Global Poker Awards (GPA) on April 5.

The Global Poker Awards will broadcast live from the PokerGO Studio at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The awards bring together multiple Global Poker Index (GPI) awards under one umbrella, including the American Poker Awards and European Poker Awards.

This year, Global Poker Index is partnering with Poker Central to stream the festivities for poker fans on the company’s PokerGO app. For this year’s event, organizers hope to recognize excellence on and off the felt, which will include successful players, industry leaders and media members.

“The awards are a great opportunity for everyone in the poker world to come together and not (just) celebrate the past year, but also the game we all love,” GPI and Hendon Mob Database President Eric Danis said. 

Global Poker Awards all about recognizing the greats

“I personally think it’s important to celebrate those who have achieved great things each year,” said Danis. “The awards also legitimize our industry. And, to be honest, it’s one hell of a fun time.”

The GPAs will feature 20 categories. Global Poker Index will soon release the categories, their nominees and more plans for the evening.

Once the nominees are announced, a nomination panel will determine the finalists in each category. Then, a jury of industry representatives will select the award winners.

As it happens, recognizing players this way is a shift from recent history. The American Poker Awards (APA) recognized US players and others for four years.

However, the awards have become an international affair, so a change is probably suitable. The GPI posted a tweet Thursday asking players, media and fans for submissions to be considered.

‘Best nights of the year in poker’

PokerStars sponsors the annual event. However, organizers believe streaming the ceremony live will garner additional prestige.

“We’re excited to have the awards presented on PokerGO for the very first time,” Danis said. “Everyone who attends the awards seems to have a great time and agree that it’s one of the best nights of the year in poker.

“Being able to work with industry giants like (producers) Mori Eskandani, a former American Poker Award winner, and Dan Gati will go a long way to help those not in attendance feel (like a) part of the show.”

Danis says that GPI is currently finalizing the awards list. Usually, the company rotates some awards in and out of the mix each year. He believes it’s important that so many poker entities have come together to present something to spotlight standouts in the industry.

“I’m really honored to have PokerStars and Poker Central/PokerGO partner with us for the first-ever Global Poker Awards,” he said. “I’m really excited to see who the nominees will be in each category. One category, in particular, the Breakout Player of the Year, looks to have contenders from all areas of the world.”

Danis continued, “That’s the goal with the Global Poker Awards, to make sure that every poker fan, player, industry member and media person from around the globe feel like they’re a part of it.”