Global Poker Index: Kurganov Enters Top 10 of GPI 300; POY Race Remains Unchanged

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Aug 01, 2013 3 min read Last updated Nov 13, 2013

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. 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.

2013 GPI Player of the Year

The top 10 of the GPI Player of the Year race remained unchanged this week, with Paul Volpe leading the way by just over 14 points. Outside of the top 10, Ravi Raghavan climbed up seven spots to No. 24. Raghavan has recently been credited with a runner-up finish in a $1,000 no-limit hold’em event during the Binions Poker Classic, where he earned $20,295. In 2012, Raghavan finished runner-up in the in the World Poker Tour Five Diamond World Poker Classic, banking $1,268,571.

GPI 300 Top 10

While Jason Mercier still leads the top 300, Igor Kurganov has found his way into the top 10, moving up three spots from last week. Kurganov only cashed in one event at the 2013 World Series of Poker, finishing 11th in Event #52: $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em (Six-Handed) for $71,071, but he has nearly $3 million in earnings this year alone. The Russian-born pro cashed in all three high roller events at the Aussie Millions, winning the $25,000 Challenge and finishing second in the $100,000 Challenge, and finished sixth in the GuangDong Asia Millions Main Event, earning just over $1 million.

Mercier was unable to capture his third bracelet at this year’s WSOP, but he maintained his lead in the GPI 300 with six small cashes in Las Vegas. With both the WPT and European Poker Tour seasons about to kick off, there will certainly be more movement within the top 10, and we will see if the American can retain the top spot.

Welcome to the GPI

New Additions

Andrey Shatilov not only entered the GPI 300 this week, he nearly leapfrogged the entire field. During the 2013 Merit World Cup of Poker, the Russian won the $10,000 high roller, finished eighth in a $1,000 bounty event, and finished third in a $1,380 heads-up event. Shatilov has $642,010 in earnings in 2013, which dwarves his previous record-high of $127,584 in 2012.

Also joining the GPI 300 this week are 2013 WSOP bracelet winner Marco Johnson and Canadian pro Owen Crowe.

Biggest Gains

American Jacob Schindler made the biggest leap this week, moving up 54 spots to No. 236. Schindler cashed seven times at the 2013 WSOP, including two top-13 finishes and a cash in the Main Event. Schindler also finished 11th in the Carnivale of Poker Main Event. Jared Jaffee, Craig McCorkell, and Tony Cousineau also moved up more than 30 spots this week. Cousineau cashed five times at the 2013 WSOP, adding to his record for most cashes without a bracelet. The pro has now cashed in 59 WSOP events (13th all time) without capturing the gold.

Biggest Drops

Taking the biggest hit this week is Italian Andrea Dato. Dato has only cashed four times since 2012, and one of them is for only $5,555. Adam Levy and Tam Truong also took sizable hits, falling 62 spots and 56 spots respectively.

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.

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• Tags Adam Levy Aussie Millions Bertrand Grospellier Chris Klodnicki Daniel Negreanu Darryll Fish Jason Mercier Joseph Cheong Marvin Rettenmaier Mike Watson Philipp Gruissem Player of the Year Russia Scott Seiver Steve O'Dwyer WSOP WPT
• Related Tournaments World Series of PokerWorld Poker TourAussie Millions
• Related Players Daniel NegreanuAdam LevyJason MercierMike WatsonScott SeiverBertrand Grospellier