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.”