PokerGO To Host Global Poker Awards Through 2024

PokerGO has just announced a partnership deal with The Hendon Mob and Global Poker Index to host the Global Poker Awards starting next year through 2024. The poker awards show will take place in Las Vegas at the ARIA Resort & Casino within the PokerGO Studio. The awards showcase poker players who have impacted the industry as well as media and industry pioneers.

The Studio initially hosted the awards in 2019 and 2020. However, this year, the awards will not occur due to continued concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The Awards will be back in March of next year, with PokerGO using its streaming service to provide live footage of the ceremony.

The 2022 Global Poker Awards

Each awards ceremony provides recognition to individuals associated with the poker industry based on gameplay, contribution to the industry, etc. The Global Poker Awards have already decided on the awards for 2022, highlighting the best in the game.

More than 20 awards will be presented next year, including:

• Poker ICON
• Player of the Year
• Female Player of the Year
• Hand of the Year (People’s Choice)
• Best All-Around Poker Player (Player’s Choice)

PokerGO president Mori Eskandani stated in a press release that the awards ceremony recognizes and celebrates the elite poker players and significant individuals who impact the industry.

At PokerGO, we aim to give credit to those who make a splash in our sport, and holding these awards in the PokerGO Studio for the next three years allows us to do so.”

Next year’s ceremony will be particularly special due to the cancellation of the 2021 awards. Eric Danis, the Global Poker Index/The Hendon Mob president, spoke in a YouTube video about the 2022 awards, including how the nomination and voting process would take place.

The process will be similar to 2020, as the company was happy with how voting occurred without the need for a jury. More people in the poker industry are being included in the voting, and a few tweaks are expected before the process begins.

Fan involvement is also being considered. GPI plans to find more ways for fans to take part in the award ceremony.

The 2020 Awards

Last year, the awards took place in early March, before the COVID-19 shutdowns began – which led to a mini-online poker boom. Maria Ho and Drea Renee hosted the night, starting the evening with awarding the GPI Player of the Year and Female Player of the Year awards. Alex Foxen and Kristen Bicknell were chosen as the winners.

When it came to the toughest opponent award, Stephen Chidwick was chosen for this accolade. He showcased throughout the year how he was able to keep players in check as he dominated gameplay at the felt.

The awards ceremony also highlighted the seasoned pros in the game. John Cernuto was given the Hendon Mob Award, while Johnny Chan was recognized for his long-standing career after earning the Poker ICON Award.