Global Poker Index: Erik Seidel Charges Back into Top 10; O’Dwyer Still Leads

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May 12, 2016 3 min read

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 May 11, 2016.

GPI 300 Top 10

The 2016 PokerStars and Monte-Carlo® Casino EPT Grand Final is done and Steve O’Dwyer remains the top-ranked tournament player in the world for an 18th-straight week according to the Global Poker Index.

O’Dwyer made the money in two events in Monaco — the €50,000 Super High Roller (finishing ninth) and the €25,750 High Roller (finishing 31st) — though neither cash earned him GPI points to use as only the top five results from each six-month period (going back three years) factor into a player’s total.

Former No. 1-ranked player Anthony Zinno enjoyed a boost from No. 8 to No. 4 this week after final-tabling both the €10,300 High Roller and the €25,750 High Roller in Monaco, finishing sixth in both. Meanwhile Erik Seidel — also a former No. 1 in the GPI (most recently in February 2012) — made a big move from No. 19 to No. 8 after a successful trip to Monte Carlo that included three cashes.

Welcome to the GPI Top 300

There are 13 new names in the GPI top 300 this week, with Ihar Soika the highest-ranked of the newcomers after moving all of the way up from No. 303 to No. 135. Like most on this list, Soika’s bump came from success in Monaco, where he cashed three times including taking 33rd in the €5,300 Main Event.

Speaking of the EPT Grand Final Main Event, Jan Bendik was the big winner in that one and he used that triumph to move into the top 300 for the first time since April 2015, ascending from No. 515 to No. 254. Bendik’s highest previous GPI ranking has been No. 41, achieved back in April 2014.

Meanwhile the other star from the EPT Grand Final’s last day, €25,750 High Roller winner Alexandru Papazian, makes his GPI top 300 debut this week after catapulting from No. 940 to No. 266.

Biggest Gains

Not too surprisingly, those big jumps by Papazian and Bendik earn them spots atop this week’s “Biggest Gainers” list among top 300 players. Seth Davies also makes it here after winning the partypoker.net World Poker Tour Canadian Spring Championship last week, while Matthias De Meulder (who has been cashing at events in Cyprus of late) also made a move to get back in the top 300 after being away for just a couple of weeks.

Biggest Drops

Finally, looking strictly at the top 300 players, Craig McCorkell fell the furthest among them this week after dipping from No. 190 to No. 256.

What to Expect Next Week

During this period prior to the start of the 2016 World Series of Poker later this month, the 2016 California State Poker Championship (at the Commerce Casino), the Parx Casino Big Stax XVI (at the Parx in Bensalem, PA), and the Latin American Poker Tour Panama series in Panama City will all be in action.

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 World Poker Tour Steve O’Dwyer Anthony Zinno Erik Seidel Ihar Soika Alexandru Papazian Jan Bendik Craig McCorkell
• Related Tournaments World Poker TourEuropean Poker Tour
• Related Players Erik SeidelSteve O'DwyerJan BendikCraig McCorkellIhar SoikaAnthony Zinno