The inaugural American Poker Awards will be handed out Feb. 27 at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.
The latest in a string of initiatives from Global Poker Index, the American Poker Awards will closely resemble the European Poker Awards, which is entering its 14th year. A total of 14 awards will be handed out, 10 of which will be chosen by a jury, three based on GPI’s player ranking systems and one people’s choice award.
A nominating panel of 60 to 80 people with backgrounds in media, casino management, sports and sponsorship will be chosen to suggest finalists for nine awards. A jury of nine prominent members of the poker community will decide winners in those nine categories, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The nominating panel is expected to be chosen by mid-December, with nominees announced in early January.
Winners will be announced at the Feb. 27 ceremony, that will begin with red-carpet arrivals, and will be preceded by a daylong Global Poker Conference.
"The European Poker Awards have set a benchmark of success and the American Poker Awards will follow in its footsteps, featuring a similar structure that employs expert nomination panels and independent juries to decide winners, and best players determined impartially using GPI scores," said GPI founder Alex Dreyfus. "This is a game-wide celebration too – we’re not just looking to reward players and contributors, but everything from North America’s best poker venues and poker events, to major online initiatives and game innovations, among others."
For more information, visit americanpokerawards.com.
