GPI Prepares for First American Poker Awards

The Global Poker Index (GPI) is preparing for the first edition of the American Poker Awards, scheduled to be held at California in Los Angeles on February 27, 2015.

Alex Dreyfus, the founder of the GPI, said that the American Poker Awards is an extension of the European Poker Awards, which had recognized the achievements and talents of players, operators, and others associated with the industry for over ten years.

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He said: “The European Poker Awards have set a benchmark of success and the American Poker Awards will follow in its footsteps, featuring a similar structure that employs expert nomination panels and independent juries to decide winners, and best players determined impartially using GPI scores. This is a game-wide celebration too — we’re not just looking to reward players and contributors, but everything from North America’s best poker venues and poker events, to major online initiatives and game innovations, among others.”

The GPI American Poker Awards, the first of its kind in poker history, comprises categories such as Player of the Year, Breakout Player of the Year, Female Player of the Year, Event of the Year (taking into consideration events with buy-ins more than $2k), Female Player of the Year, Event of the Year (taking into consideration events with buy-ins more than $2k), Charitable Initiative of the Year, Poker Innovation or Initiative of the Year, Media Person of the Year, Industry Person of the Year, Poker Media Content of the Year, and Poker’s Best Ambassador.

The nomination panel has time till Feb 1 to cast votes in each category although the official nominees are not yet known. GPI’s Eric Danis recently revealed names of some candidates who could be nominated for the Event of the Year (taking into consideration events with buy-ins more than $2k) Award. The GPI could nominate the World Poker Tour (WPT) Los Angeles Poker Classic 2014, an event with a buy-in of $10k. The event attracted a field of 534 players who generated a prize pool as large as $5,126,400. The Main Event of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2014, which attracted a field of 6,683 players and generated a prize pool of $62,820,200 is also being considered.

The GPI is also considering the Borgata Fall Poker Open 2014 Main Event, which attracted a field of 548 players and generated a prize pool of $1,370,000. Steven Wolansky, the winner of a WSOP 2014 bracelet, emerged as the champion of this event.