Global Poker Index: David Peters Takes Over Player of the Year Lead

December 22, 2016

Each week, the Global Poker Index releases a list of the top tournament poker players in the world using a formula that takes into account a player's results over six half-year periods. For a look at the entire list, visit the official GPI website. Here's a look at the rankings as of Dec. 21.

2016 GPI Player of the Year

Over the last couple of weeks in this space we've highlighted how a few different challengers were starting to close in on Fedor Holz who had occupied the top spot in the 2016 Global Poker Index Player of the Year race for more than six months.

Two weeks ago it was Ari Engel whom we spoke of gaining ground on Holz, then last week it was Justin Bonomo who'd moved up into second position to narrow the gap.

But rushing past all of those players and Holz, too, as the finish line nears is David Peters who thanks to his third-place finish in the European Poker Tour Prague Main Event won by Jasper Meijer van Putten accumulated enough points to edge just barely ahead of Holz with less than two weeks to go in December.

The race isn't over, of course, and there are still a few chances for players to accumulate points before the year ends. But Peters is now the betting favorite to win 2016 GPI POY heading into the holidays.

GPI 300 Top 10

Holz remained atop the overall GPI rankings where he's enjoyed a large lead over the chase pack for some time. This marks his 28th week atop the list, the longest-streak of any GPI No. 1 since the rankings began in 2011.

Peters moved up a spot to No. 2 in the overall rankings, his highest career ranking to date. Meanwhile former No. 1 Steve O'Dwyer jumped from No. 16 to No. 6 this week after making three final tables in three separate €25,500 High Roller events at EPT Prague, taking sixth, fifth, and third in them.

Falling from the top 10 this week was another former No. 1, Jason Mercier, who slipped from No. 6 to No. 13. It's the first time Mercier has been out of the overall top 10 since June 2015.

Welcome to the GPI Top 300

A big group of 20 newcomers joined the overall GPI top 300 this week, many of whom collected cashes at EPT Prague in order to make their upward moves.

The highest-ranked of the bunch, Jesse Yaginuma, was an exception to that trend, having made his move from No. 306 to No. 198 on the strength of recent cashes in the World Series of Poker Circuit Los Angeles festival at the Bicycle Casino, including a victory in the $3,250 High Roller event.

Biggest Gains

Heading the list of "Biggest Gains" — looking only at players ranked in this week's top 300 — is Jean-Noel Thorel who catapulted from No. 639 to No. 276 this week. Thorel moved up after making three final tables in Prague, finishing second one of the €25,500 Single-Day High Roller events, fifth in another one, and seventh in the €5,200 Hyper-Turbo NL event.

Biggest Drops

Finally, again only looking at players ranked in the top 300, David Malka endured the steepest decline this week after falling from No. 197 to No. 295.

What to Expect Next Week

Things are quieting down with the holidays approaching, although the Dutch Open Poker Series is currently ongoing in Breda, Netherlands where Ari Engel is among the participants. There will also be another $100,000 Super High Roller at the ARIA Resort & Casino on Dec. 30-31 to give high-stakes players a last chance to cash (and collect GPI points).

To view the GPI overall rankings in their entirety, visit the official GPI website. While you're at it, follow the GPI on Twitter and its Facebook page.

• Tags

  Global Poker Index European Poker Tour EPT Prague World Series of Poker Circuit David Peters Fedor Holz Ari Engel Steve O’Dwyer Jason Mercier Justin Bonomo Jesse Yaginuma Jean-Noel Thorel David Malka

• Related Tournaments

  European Poker TourWorld Series of Poker Circuit

• Related Players

  Steve O'DwyerJason MercierJustin BonomoDavid PetersJean-Noel ThorelJesse Yaginuma