Phil Ivey Returns to the Top 300 of the Global Poker Index

February 26, 2014

Each week, the Global Poker Index releases a list of the top 300 tournament poker players in the world using a formula that takes into account a player's results over six half-year periods. The GPI also ranks the top performers of the year over two six-month periods as calculated by the USA Today Global Poker Index point system.

For a look at both lists, visit the official GPI website.

2014 GPI Player of the Year

Canadian Mike McDonald retains the lead in the 2014 GPI Player of the Year race, and there is only one new player in the top 10: Jeremy Nock.

Nock won the SkyPoker UK Poker Championships £3,300 High Roller for $102,160 and finished fourth in a side event at the Paris Open of Poker for $20,538. The Brit has nearly $200,000 in earnings in the first two months of 2014.

GPI 300 Top 10

Mike "SirWatts" Watson rejoins the GPI 300 top 10 this week after nearly reaching the final table of the World Poker Tour Fallsview Poker Classic. Watson exited in 12th place, earning $23,769, and is in prime position to climb the GPI ranks in 2014 because none of his top results in 2011 came until the World Series of Poker Europe in October.

"It was nice to have my first deep run in a while at my home event WPT Fallsview and move back into the top 10, but being behind Mike McDonald is still an embarrassment," Watson jokingly told PokerNews on Wednesday.

Paul Volpe falls out of the top 10, and comes in at No. 15. We are now a full year removed from his runner-up finish in the WPT L.A. Poker Classic, and that score will continue to deteriorate as time goes by.

Welcome to the GPI

Nine-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Ivey rejoins the GPI 300 for the first time since September of 2013. Ivey, who won the Aussie Millions AU$250,000 Challenge for nearly $3.6 million, is comparable to Watson in that he didn't have make big results early on in 2011. If you remember, he boycotted the entire 2011 WSOP.

Also rejoining the GPI 300 are Kevin Eyster, Roberto Romanello, and Sergey Rybachenko. Rybachenko's ranking is especially interesting - since the 2011 WSOP, he only has four cashes off the island of Cyprus.

Biggest Gains

Jim Collopy makes the biggest jump this week, moving up 87 spots to No. 177. Collopy, who was recently involved in a bit of controversy at AZPT Perth, benefits from decay more than anything - he only had one score in 2011.

Mike Leah and Pratyush Buddiga recorded big scores in side events at WPT Fallsview. Leah won a $1,100 buy-in event for $108,465, and Buddiga chopped a $2,500 buy-in event, earning $222,067.

Biggest Drops

David Tuthill takes the biggest tumble this week, dropping 70 spots to No. 208. His largest career score, $223,197 for winning the World Series of Poker Circuit Las Vegas Main Event in 2013, was over a year ago, depreciating the score into Period 3.

Jonathan Aguiar also falls 68 spots, but he has retired from poker in order to pursue a business venture DraftKings, one of the industry leaders in daily fantasy sports.

To view at the entire list of 300, visit the official GPI website. While you're at it, follow the GPI on Twitter and its Facebook page.

Editor

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