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Johnny Chan Tops Latest List of Global Poker Awards Winners

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

With the class of 2019 set, the Global Poker Awards’ scouts will now start searching for more stars to honor in 2021.

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