Just like there are award shows for actors, musicians, and sports athletes, poker players, especially those that have been playing on a higher level than the rest of the competition, also deserve their time in the spotlight and be recognized for their achievements.
That’s where the British Poker Awards comes in. Now on its third year, the BPA has become the premier awards show that honors the year’s best poker players, events, sites, and yes, even the best card room restaurant and card room bar in the UK.
As a hotbed for the game of skill that only continues to grow, the UK is home to some of the finest players in the world and on September 17 at the yacht H.M.S. President, the BPAs will honor who among the finest can be called the best.
This year, the BPAs will have 17 categories, 11 of which will be voted on by the fans with three categories apiece being voted on by a judging panel and the pro’s themselves. Without question, the two most important awards of the night are for Player of the Year and Best International Player. While the fans won’t have a hand in deciding who the winners are going to be, the panel of judges in charge of the decisions – Jesse May, Bluff Europe, PokerListings.com, PokerNews.com, and PokerStrategy.com – are some of the most knowledgeable in the biz.
As for the reader’s choice awards, 11 categories can be voted on by the fans, including Best Cash Player, Best Tournament Player, Best Online Player, Poker Personality of the Year, and the Biggest Contributor to Growing & Promoting Poker, among others.
British player Sam Trickett is the odds-on favorite to get his name mentioned in more than just one award. After all, Trickett came this close to winning the WSOP’s Big One for One Drop tournament, finishing as the runner-up to Antonio Esfandiari. Despite coming in second, the sheer robustness of the tournament still allowed Trickett to go home with a whopping $10.1 million.
Two Chris’ are also up in the running for Best Tournament Player and Best Online Player: Chris Brammer and Chris Moorman. The former has a total of six cashes for the year, including a fifth place finish at Event #57 ($10,000 No Limit Hold’em – Six Handed) of the 2012 WSOP. Meanwhile, the latter has seven cashes this year, highlighted by a tournament win at EPT Madrid, a second place finish at EPT Berlin, and three cashes at the 2012 WSOP. Two other nominees for Tournament Player of the Year are JP Kelly who, in 2012 alone, has 11 cashes, including five at the 2012 WSOP and a 12th place finish at the just-concluded $258,000 Super High Rollers in Macau and Roberto Romanello and his 2012 tournament card that includes 11 cashes, four of which came at the 2012 WSOP.
If you want a full list of all 17 categories and get your chance to vote on the 11 Reader’s Choice categories, head over to the British Poker Awards website and cast your vote! Every vote counts, folks!
