Johnny Chan Tops Latest List of Global Poker Awards Winners

March 9th, 2020 | by Jason Reynolds

The stars of poker were shining bright on March 7 as the second annual Global Poker Awards (GPA) took place in Las Vegas.

Johnny Chan comes away with one of the top honors at the second annual Global Poker Awards. (Image: Gene Bromberg/Wikipedia)

Part of the Global Poker Index’s push to sportify poker, the ceremony honored the game’s great and good.

This year, five new awards were added to the mix, including Twitter Personality and Toughest Opponent. Jamie Kerstetter won the former while Stephen Chidwick picked up the latter during the ceremony inside the Aria, Las Vegas.

Legends Honored at Global Poker Awards

The second annual Global Poker Awards also recognized two legends of the game. By replacing the Lifetime Achievement award with new accolades, Johnny Chan and John Cernuto collected trophies.

Chan was named GPA Poker ICON for his services to the industry. As well as being one of the game’s most affable players, Chan has done just about all there is to do in poker.

In cash games, the US national has played at the highest stakes. Alongside Doyle Brunson, he’s been a firm fixture in Bobby’s Room at the Bellagio for more than two decades. Away from cash games, Chan has over $8.7 million in tournament earnings.

His biggest single win to-date came in 2005 after he finished second in the Poker Superstars Invitational. However, his crowning achievement is back-to-back WSOP Main Event wins in 1987 and 1988.

For those feats, Chan has won awards in the past. In fact, such was his reputation prior to the poker boom that he is referenced in cult poker movie Rounders. Now, thanks to the Global Poker Awards, he has another trophy to go on his mantlepiece.

Rounding out the appreciation for poker’s veterans was an award for Cernuto. Known in the community at Miami John, Cernuto picked up an award for becoming the first player to notch up 500 results listed on the Hendon Mob database.

Global Power Awards Winners

In addition to honoring legends of the game, the following industry members won GPA trophies:

GPI Breakout Player Of The Year: Robert Campbell
Final Table Performance Of The Year: Phillip Hui, WSOP Poker Players Championship
Twitter Personality Of The Year: Jamie Kerstetter
Players Choice For Toughest Opponent: Stephen Chidwick
Streamer Of The Year: Lex Veldhuis
Vlogger Of The Year: Andrew Neeme
Podcast Of The Year: The Grid – Jennifer Shahade
Industry Person Of The Year: Paul Phua, Triton Poker
Tournament Director Of The Year: Matt Savage, WPT/TDA
Event Of The Year: PokerStars Players Championship Bahamas
Mid-Major Tour/Circuit Of The Year: RunGood Poker Series
Journalist Of The Year: Joey Ingram
Broadcaster Of The Year: Nick Schulman
Media Content Of The Year (Written): Poker And Pop Culture, Martin Harris For D+B Publishing
Media Content Of The Year (Photo): Drew Amato – Dario Sammartino Folds at the WSOP
Media Content Of The Year (Video): Investigating Mike Postle Hand Histories, Joey Ingram
People’s Choice For Poker Personality Of The Year: Jonathan Little
People’s Choice For Hand Of The Year: Ryan Riess makes 10-high call in Monte Carlo Finale