GPI Revamps Ranking System That Increases Focus Smaller Events

The premier ranking authority for poker, the Global Poker Index (GPI) has announced a rejig of its ranking system across all ranking formats including the GPI World Poker Rankings. The revamped system will be similar to what was used in the leaderboards of the 2016 GPI and World Series of Poker (WSOP) Player of the Year awards.

A number of major changes have been incorporated in the system. A smaller emphasis will now be placed on events with higher buy-ins and lower field sizes, resulting in more weight-age being given to cases where players win in tournaments with bigger field sizes and lower buy-ins.

Another amendment is that the rankings will not consider tournaments having less than 32 entrants. The threshold earlier for tournaments to be taken into account for rankings was 21 entrants.

Players scoring wins in tournaments having buy-ins less than $1500 will be awarded more points in the new system. Tournaments winners will also be seeing bigger scores now.

In a statement GPI Head of Poker Content Eric Danis said

With the ever-changing poker landscape, we recognized that a revamp was required, more than the standard adjustment we usually already make on a yearly basis. We listened to the players and are convinced that this is the way to go; the updated scoring process will see successful players at most buy in levels rewarded in our rankings

The revision of the ranking system has put David Peters on the top with 3514.40 points. This is his first time as the reigning player. He overtook Fedor Holz who had been at the top for over 30 weeks to grab the spot. At second place is Nick Petrangelo with 3191.72 points and Ari Engel is at third rank with 3114.12 points. The new system has resulted in significant changes in the player rankings. Six new players previously featuring in the top 20 list have now entered the top 10.

Those dropping out from the top 10 list include quite a few heavyweights- Fedor Holz (currently No. 13), Dan Smith (No. 22), Jake Schindler (No. 15), Steve O'Dwyer (No. 23), and Tom Marchese (No. 29) and Erik Seidel (No. 28).

Over 40 players have entered GPI top 300 for the first time while 40 others dropped through the rankings. A British player Benjamin Winsor is the highest-ranked player to enter the list showcasing the impact of the new system in pushing forward players winning in tournaments with low-buy ins.

The GPI has also announced that the third annual GPI American Poker Awards will be held on Feb. 23 at the Sofitel Hotel, Beverly Hills.