Nominations for 3rd Global Poker Awards Announced – PocketFives

After two rounds of voting by both a voting panel consisting of poker industry insiders, poker media and fans alike, the nominations for the 3rd Global Poker Awards have been finalized. The ceremony, which takes place at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas on Friday, February 18, will hand out 26 awards in a variety of categories, including three Peoples Choice awards determined solely by the fans.

The field of finalist includes plenty of pokers biggest stars including Doug Polk, Michael Addamo, Ali Imsirovic, Daniel Cates, Lex Veldhuis, and Brad Owen. Polk also leads the list of those with multiple nominations, a select group that features Imsirovic, Cates, Jeff Platt, Joe Stapleton, Jamie Kerstetter, and Johan YoH ViraL Guilbert.

Three of the winners have previously been announced with Imsirovic earning the 2021 GPI Player of the Year Awards, Nadya Magnus taking home the 2021 Female Player of the Year Awards, and David Mzareulov claiming the inaugural 2021 Mid-Major Player of the Year awards.

And the 2021 GPA nominees are

As usual, the World Series of Poker had an incredible impact on the poker world this year with some of the most gripping moments coming out of the series. Aldemirs domination of the WSOP Main Event, Cates epic comeback from on big blind in the $50K PPC, and Friedmans back-to-back-to-back $10K Dealers Choice titles are all history-making performances.

Four of the toughest high-roller players on the planet make this an intimidating category. Chidwick won this award at the last awards, Imsirovic is the 2021 GPI Player of the Year and PokerGO Tour 2021 Player of the Year, and David Peters is the 2021 U.S. Poker Open champ and sits fifth on the Hendon Mobs All-Time Money List.

That said, no one really came close to Michael Addamo in 2021 and all eyes will be on him as the favorite.

The poker world is in a golden era of online streaming where not only can someone learn the game quickly and cheaper than ever, but can become a part of a community helmed by one of their favorite poker personalities. The strength of these nominations is only bolstered by a long list of quality streamers who are not included.

The Wynn showing up twice on this list is a nod to how the Las Vegas poker room took a giant leap forward this year in stepping up for the tournament community in the face of the pandemic. But know that the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida has also been making waves when it comes to must-play events. In order to win, one of them will have to usurp the event that many, year-in and year-out, capture the hearts of poker players from all over the world the WSOP Main Event.

Another cant miss category with Kerstetter as the emerging voice on the WSOP broadcast, Jeff Platt shining as the WSOPs sideline reporter, and commentary vets Ali Nejad and Joe Stapleton consistently delivering the goods whenever they are on the air.

Read all of the nominated stories including and especially Lance Bradleys piece on PokerStars founder Isai Scheinberg for PocketFives at the links above. (Except for Rabins piece which is behind a paywall.)

Watch all of the nominated videos at the links above.

There were a number of amazing hands captured live this year and which of the above (which you can view) you enjoy the most depends on if you like pleasure or pain. For those who enjoy being the hero, Polks hero fold and Rigbys bluff are the stuff poker dreams of are made of. On the opposite side, the pain inflicted on Leng and Chang Liu, is some of the most memorable of the year.

Fans have until Wednesday, January 26th to vote for their favorite Poker Personality, even if they voted in the first round.

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Nominations for 3rd Global Poker Awards Announced - PocketFives