Global Poker Index: Negreanu Starts the New Year at No. 1, Germans on His Heels
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.
The GPI is still calculating the Player of the Year race, so check back next week for the final results.
GPI 300 Top 10
| Rank | Player | Score | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Negreanu | 3339.35 | - |
| 2 | Ole Schemion | 3201.50 | 1 |
| 3 | Marvin Rettenmaier | 3066.74 | 1 |
| 4 | Philipp Gruissem | 3042.67 | -2 |
| 5 | Bryn Kenney | 2876.64 | - |
| 6 | Shannon Shorr | 2860.02 | 1 |
| 7 | Mike Watson | 2826.84 | 2 |
| 8 | Vanessa Selbst | 2806.68 | - |
| 9 | Jonathan Duhamel | 2758.38 | 1 |
| 10 | Ravi Raghavan | 2750.12 | 1 |
Kid Poker, who was named the GPI's Player of the Decade, remains atop the GPI 300, while Ole Schemion, who most likely pipped him in the 2013 Player of the Year race, is now at No. 2. Fellow German Marvin Rettenmaier also moved up one spot to No. 3, while Philipp Gruissem fell two spots to No. 4.
American Ravi Raghavan rejoins the GPI 300 top 10 after two consecutive excellent years on the circuit. Raghavan has earned nearly $2.2 million over the last 24 months, winning the 2012 World Poker Tour Five Diamond World Poker Classic and finishing fifth in the 2013 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event.
David Peters plummeted out of the top 10, tumbling six spots to No. 12. Peters earned nearly $700,000 in 2013, but only $106,000 in 2012.
Welcome to the GPI
| Rank | Player | Total Score |
|---|---|---|
| 283 | Mikhail Korotkikh | 1196.69 |
| 284 | Michael Benvenuti | 1192.37 |
| 285 | Robert Salaburu | 1190.52 |
| 286 | Simon Deadman | 1188.31 |
| 287 | Jason Lavallee | 1186.31 |
| 291 | Georgios Karakousis | 1182.38 |
| 293 | Yung Hwang | 1179.90 |
| 294 | Larry Wright | 1179.39 |
| 296 | Vinny Pahuja | 1174.971 |
| 298 | Jake Cody | 1172.91 |
| 300 | Taylor Paur | 1168.13 |
2012 November Niner Robert Salaburu, Jason Lavallee, Vinny Pahuja, Jake Cody, and Taylor Paur headline the newest members of the GPI 300. Lavallee rejoins the group at No. 287 just a few months after recorded the third largest score of his career - the French Canadian won the EPT London £10,000 High Roller for $579,975.
Also returning to the GPI 300 is 2012 WSOP bracelet winner Larry Wright. Wright won his first and only bracelet in his favorite game, no-limit 2-7 single draw, and recorded his second consecutive six-figure year in 2013.
Exiting the GPI 300 this week are, among others, Matt Berkey, Alex Kravchenko, Eric Baldwin, Blake Bohn, Mike Sexton, and Matthias De Meulder.
Biggest Gains
| Rank | Player | Total GPI Score | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 113 | Dermot Blain | 1665.86 | 32 |
| 147 | Mukul Pahuja | 1524.84 | 35 |
| 220 | Phil Laak | 1327.39 | 43 |
| 245 | Corrie Wunstel | 1278.22 | 45 |
| 260 | Heinz Kamutzki | 1242.17 | 36 |
Texas native Corrie Wunstel made the largest leap this week, climbing 45 spots to No. 245. Wunstel finished 65th in the 2013 WSOP Main Event for over 100 dimes, fifth in WPT bestbet Jacksonville for nearly 60 dimes, and 35th in the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic for nearly 26 dimes. Altogether, he earned $318,851 in 2013.
Mukul Pahuja also made a big jump, ascending 35 places to No. 147. Pahuja finished third in the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open $10 Million Guarantee for $872,625 and runner-up in WPT Montreal for $362,430.
Biggest Drops
| Rank | Player | Total GPI Score | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 170 | Matthew Ashton | 1468.46 | -72 |
| 233 | Jason Wheeler | 1300.94 | -90 |
| 266 | David Baker | 1230.10 | -134 |
David "ODB" Baker plummeted 134 spots this week, coming in at No. 266, while 2013 WSOP POY runner-up Matthew Ashton descended 72 places to No. 170.
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.
