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The stars of 2024 honored at the 6th edition of the Global Poker Awards
2025-02-26 - Tony GUYOT
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Las Vegas hosted the world’s poker elite for an evening full of emotion and surprises. Let’s take a look back at the 2025 Global Poker Awards.
On February 22nd, for the sixth consecutive year, the PokerGO studio at Aria Las Vegas transformed into a temple of recognition for the poker industry. Hosted by the charismatic duo Jeff Platt and Drea Renee, the 2025 Global Poker Awards (GPA) ceremony honored no fewer than 38 talents who made their mark in 2024. Ironically, Jeff Platt himself walked away with the trophy for best on-air talent, confirming his growing popularity in the industry.

In the premier categories, as expected, American David COLEMAN received his trophy as "2024 GPI Player of the Year," while Cherish ANDREWS (USA) distinguished herself by winning the "GPI Female Player of the Year" title for the second time. Visibly moved, she delivered a touching speech about her brother, who passed away during what was otherwise such a fruitful year for her. In the mid-major category, Han Feng established himself as player of the year, while the formidable Adrian MATEOS (Spain) was named "Most Feared Opponent" by his peers. "I am very happy to receive this award, as it comes from my own opponents, with whom I have spent thousands of hours at the tables," the Winamax Team Pro expressed on X.



Content Creators and PokerStars in the Spotlight

The Spragg couple made quite an impression at this ceremony. Ben SPRAGG (UK) was named "Best Streamer" for the second time in his career, while his wife Marle SPRAGG (USA) won the award for "Best Short Content Creator." On the vlogging side, Brad Owen secured his third GPA as "Best Vlogger," confirming his place among the community's most appreciated content creators.



The red spade room particularly shined. Francine Watson, a key figure in PokerStars productions, is the new recipient of the "Best Industry Person" title, and her flagship show "The Big Game on Tour" won the award for "Best Episodic Poker Series." The brand's ambassador Alejandro LOCOCO (Argentina), winner of the WSOP Paradise Triton Million, was not left out, being elected "Most Entertaining Player" by the fans.

An International Evening

The 2025 Global Poker Awards illustrated the truly international dimension of modern poker. The Brazilian circuit BSOP was crowned Best Mid-Major Tour/Circuit, while the Irish Poker Open won the award for Best Independent Festival. To conclude the event, Barny BOATMAN's memorable performance at EPT Paris was elected "Best Final Table Performance." Present for this legendary moment, PokerNews photographer Danny Maxwell won the award for Best Media Content (photo) for a wonderful shot of the 69-year-old player with his trophy.



This sixth edition confirms the good health of a poker ecosystem that continues to reinvent itself. Between elite players, innovative content creators, and increasingly ambitious event organizers, poker has all the assets to continue attracting enthusiasts from around the world. See you next year !

Complete Global Poker Awards 2025 Winners

Player Awards:

GPI Player of the Year: David Coleman (United States)
GPI Mid-Major Player of the Year: Han Feng (United States)
GPI Female Player of the Year: Cherish Andrews (United States)
Most Weeks at GPI #1 in 2024: Jesse Lonis (United States)
PokerGO Tour PGT Player of the Year: Jeremy Ausmus (United States)
GPI Breakout Player: Rania Nasreddine (United States)
Best Final Table Performance: Barny Boatman (England), EPT Paris
Players' Choice for Toughest Opponent: Adrián Mateos (Spain)
Content Creators:
Best X/Twitter Personality: Barry Carter (England)
Best Streamer: Benjamin Spragg – Spraggy (England)
Best Vlogger: Brad Owen (United States)
Best Short Content Creator: Marle Spragg – Marle Poker (United States)
Rising Star in Content Creation: Abby Merk – Abby Poker (United States)

Industry and Events:

Best Industry Person: Francine Watson (England)
Best Tournament Director: Luca Vivaldi (Italy)
Best Poker Operations Director: Ryan Beauregard (United States)
Best Event: World Series of Poker Main Event, Horseshoe Las Vegas
Best Mid-Major Tour/Circuit: Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP)
Best Festival/Stand-alone Series: Irish Poker Open, Royal Dublin Society
Best Episodic Poker Series: PokerStars' The Big Game on Tour

Media:

Best On-Air Talent: Jeffrey Platt (United States)
Best Podcast: The Chip Race (David Lappin, Dara O'Kearney for Unibet Poker)
Best Poker Book: Beyond GTO: Poker Exploits Simplified (Dara O'Kearney, Barry Carter)
Best Media Content: Written: A Deeper Investigation into the Existence of BotFarm Society (Jonathan Raab for Poker Pro)
Best Media Content: Video: The Four Rules of Poker Kings (Greg Clark, BBC Scotland)
Best Media Content: Short Video: Nikki Limo (USA) – What It's Like to Play Poker as a Woman
Best Media Content: Photo: Danny Maxwell (Ireland) – Barny GOATMAN
Best Journalist: Brad Willis (United States)
Best Live Tournament Reporter: Mickey Doft (United States)

Fan Awards:

Best Hand: Xuan Liu plays in Wild Hand at the Lodge
Most Entertaining Player: Alejandro "Papo MC" Lococo (Argentina)
Most Original Trophy Design: PGT Texas Poker Open Belt Buckle
Best Live Poker Stream: Poker at the Lodge
Best Poker Room: Playground Poker Club Montreal, Canada

Special Awards:

GPI Merit Award: Gene Calden
The Hendon Mob Award: Dominique Francais
Charitable/Community Initiative: Poker Gives
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