Global Poker Index: Dan Smith Remains On Top; Mike Watson Hits No. 6
Each week, the Global Poker Index releases a list of the top 300 tournament poker players in the world using a formula that takes a player's results over six half-year periods. For a look at the entire list of 300, visit the official GPI website.
Top 10 as of February 18, 2013
| Rank | Player | Total Score | Rank Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Smith | 3,209.14 | -- |
| 2 | Marvin Rettenmaier | 3,085.58 | -- |
| 3 | Jason Mercier | 3,061.86 | -- |
| 4 | Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier | 3,049.17 | -- |
| 5 | Joseph Cheong | 2,927.17 | -- |
| 6 | Mike Watson | 2,915.02 | +4 |
| 7 | Bryn Kenney | 2,901.40 | -- |
| 8 | Andrew Lichtenberger | 2,892.60 | -2 |
| 9 | Vanessa Selbst | 2,816.39 | -1 |
| 10 | David Sands | 2,809.81 | -1 |
Although players in the top 10 did not change, Mike Watson jumped up four places to No. 6. His third-place finish in the EPT Barcelona Super High Roller event (for $490,847) aged into Period 2. Watson's Period 1, however, is stacked with excellent results, giving his Period 2 a solid boost with this aging score. Dan Smith won that event, meaning his result also aged. He dropped a few points but still holds down the fort at No. 1.
Welcome to the GPI
Four players are new to this week's GPI, led by Benny Spindler at No. 234. Spindler took 2nd out of 31 entrants (for €77,500) in a €10,600 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller at the European Poker Festival - GPT VI.
New Additions
| Player | Total GPI Score | GPI Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Benny Spindler | 1,226.40 | 234th |
| Philippe Boucher | 1,176.19 | 256th |
| Matt Giannetti | 1,143.38 | 274th |
| Frederik Jensen | 1,099.26 | 300th |
Falling from the GPI this week were Aku Joentausta, Jean-Philippe Rohr, Max Greenwood, and Morten Mortensen.
Ups and Downs
The biggest rise of the week belonged to Darryll Fish, following his third-place finish at the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open for $125,921.
Biggest Gains
| Rank | Player | Total Score | Change in Rank From Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57th | Matt Salsberg | 1,960.07 | +35 |
| 82nd | Vladimir Troyanovskiy | 1,813.87 | +21 |
| 92nd | Dwyte Pilgrim | 1,738.10 | +25 |
| 137th | Darryll Fish | 1,562.43 | +66 |
| 151st | Ana Marquez | 1,478.05 | +65 |
| 154th | Andrea Dato | 1,466.64 | +37 |
| 173rd | Tim West | 1,390.85 | +41 |
| 18st | [Removed:163] | 1,369.45 | +37 |
| 255th | Ari Engel | 1,177.22 | +21 |
Taking the biggest fall this week was Joni Jouhkimainen. His third-place finish in the EPT Barcelona Main Event last August (for €404,050) aged into Period 2.
Biggest Drops
| Rank | Player | Total Score | Change in Rank From Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98th | Joni Jouhkimainen | 1,709.35 | -44 |
| 112th | Zimnan Ziyard | 1,633.45 | -32 |
| 135th | Yury Gulyy | 1,567.69 | -38 |
| 168th | Andrey Zaichenko | 1,413.86 | -29 |
| 172nd | Max Silver | 1,396.17 | -27 |
| 175th | Ismael Bojang | 1,387.11 | -35 |
| 188th | Tomeu Gomila | 1,351.88 | -25 |
| 210th | Rodrigo Caprioli | 1,296.49 | -27 |
| 243rd | Dan Murariu | 1,200.27 | -33 |
| 260th | Jake Cody | 1.165.99 | -29 |
GPI Fantasy Poker Value Pick of the Week
With the recent launch of the GPI Fantasy Poker Manager on Facebook, we thought we'd lend a helping hand in putting together your roster.
Here's how the GPI Fantasy Poker Manager works. Much like other fantasy sports, you are given a budget with which to pick a number of poker players for your team. When these poker players finish in the money of real poker events, you are awarded points. Finish with the most points and you win. It's that simple.
We'll be providing at least one "value" pick each week for your fantasy poker team. Here's our top selection for the WPT LA Poker Classic, which begins Saturday.
Chris Tryba - 16,550: With two final tables made among his four cashes at the LAPC thus far, Tryba is on his game heading into the Main Event.
To look 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.
To stay on top of the GPI and other happenings in the poker world, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
