Global Poker Index recognizes the best in the business
The glittering spectacle of the Global Poker Index Awards took place this weekend, bringing Pokerstars to the Aria in Las Vegas to find out who would take home the square, dancing pound trophy.
Stephen Song won two Player of the Year awards in 2022. (Image: PokerGO)
The invited guests sat at poker tables in the PokerGO studio, drank champagne and celebrated the poker year 2022 on Friday.
Stephen Song made history by becoming the first player to win two Player of the Year awards in one year. He racked up enough points in both the General Player of the Year and Mid-Majors Player of the Year categories in 2022.
Calling poker a lifelong passion, Song said it’s great to be a member of a competitive group of people who can get together and party.
“In an industry where you’re taught to compete against everyone you meet, it’s refreshing to come together as a community and celebrate each other’s accomplishments,” Song said in his acceptance speech (13:55).
Next up was Player of the Year, Cherish Andrews, who, like Song, ended the Player of the Year late by having a fantastic couple of days at the WPT World Championships in December
Andrews credited her parents for helping her get to the podium.
Cherish Andrews as Player of the Year 2022. (Image: PokerGo)
“When I told them in August 2021 that I wanted to follow tournaments seriously, they stood right behind me and cheered me on,” she said. “Without her I wouldn’t be here. So thanks guys, love you guys.”
Andrews also praised their “little migratory bird,” Brock Wilson, poker coach and pro player with more than $6 million in cash.
“Without him, I wouldn’t be the tournament player I am today. you have done so much for me I love you,” she said during her speech, which begins at 6:16 p.m.
A poker icon honored
The ceremony is packed with many great moments and speeches – both the acceptance of Dan Cates for winning the World Series of Poker Player’s Championship and the speech of Matt Berkey in accepting the win for Best Poker Podcast are not to be missed – but a video appearance by Gabe Kaplan may have trumped them all.
Kaplan received GPI’s first ever Poker Icon Award. Kaplan’s poker roots stretch back to the late ’70s at the WSOP and he’s been around the industry as a competitive player and announcer ever since.
He recently retired as co-host of High Stakes Poker.
“I want to thank all my friends, old and new, at the GPI Awards for the Poker Icon Award. I looked up “symbol” in the dictionary and it said “old man,” he said in a pre-recorded clip. It starts at the 1:13:06 mark
- Comeback Player: Phil Ivey
- Player pick for toughest opponent: Stephen Chidwick
- Best Final Table Performance: Dan Cates, WSOP Poker Players Championship
- Best Twitter Personality: Will Jaffe
- Best Media Content Written by Jennifer Shahade
- Fan’s Choice Best Trophy: WSOP Championship Event Bracelet
- Breakout Player: Angela Jordison
- Fan Poker Personality: Ethan “Rampage” Yau
- Fan’s Choice Best Trophy: WSOP Main Event Bracelet
- Fan’s Choice Live Stream: Hustler Casino Live
- Best Vlogger: Ethan “Rampage” Yau
- Fan’s Choice, Best Hand: Robbie Jade Lew
- Best Mid-Major Tour: RunGood Poker Series
- Best Event: WPT World Championship
- Best Streamer: Kevin Martin
- Best Tournament Director: Ray Pulford, Wynn
- Best Media Content, Photo: Hayley Hochstetler
- Best Industry Person: Jack Effel, WSOP
- Best Media Content, Video: Gregory Liow
- Best Broadcaster: James Hartigan, European Poker Tour
- Rising in content creation: Caitlin Comeskey
- Best Podcast: Only Friends Podcast
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