Global Poker Awards returns: ceremony to be held outside Las Vegas for the first time

The prestigious Global Poker Awards are returning after a break and, for the first time, will be held outside Las Vegas — in the Bahamas as part of WSOP Paradise.

The Global Poker Awards — the poker world’s most prestigious awards ceremony — is making its return after a one-year hiatus, and for the first time since 2019, the event will take place outside Las Vegas. The organizers — Global Poker Index (GPI) and The Hendon Mob — have announced that the seventh edition will be held on December 4 as part of the WSOP Paradise festival in the Bahamas. Ceremony Relocation: New Horizons The Global Poker Awards were first held in Europe in 2001, then moved to Los Angeles in 2014. From 2019, the ceremony was hosted at PokerGO Studio at ARIA Las Vegas, becoming a staple of the US poker calendar. However, in November 2023, the organizers announced that the ceremony would not take place, citing the complexity and length of event preparation. Now, after a pause, the awards are back — but at a new venue: the luxurious Baha Mar resort in the Bahamas. This resort recently became the new home of WSOP Paradise, replacing Atlantis Paradise Island. Updated Categories: Spotlight on Players For 2025, the organizers have revised the list of award categories. Whereas previously a significant portion of the awards focused on the industry, media, and content, the spotlight has now shifted to players and their achievements at the tables. Categories such as “Best Podcast,” “Best Poker Book,” “Best Industry Person,” and “Best Media Content” have been removed. However, content creators are still recognized in the “Best Streamer” and “Best Vlogger” categories. This year, several new player-focused categories have been introduced: Most Feared Live Tournament Player Most Feared Live Tournament Mixed Games Player Most Feared Cash Game Player Fans Choice: Most Entertaining Player Best Final Table Performance Additionally, new categories such as “Best Villain” and “Best Table Mate” have been added, along with several “Most Feared Player” awards for different disciplines. The organizers note that this renewed focus on players highlights the outstanding results and achievements on the international poker scene over the past year. According to them, the awards are intended to honor those whose successes and contributions have left a significant mark on poker in the last 12 months. Winners and Finalists from the Previous Ceremony The sixth Global Poker Awards ceremony took place in February 2025. Among the winners were: Adrian Mateos — Spanish high roller tournament pro, voted by his peers as the toughest opponent (Players Choice for Toughest Opponent) Abby Merk — recognized as a rising star in content creation (Rising Star in Content) Nikki Limo — awarded for Best Media Content: Short-Form Video Alejandro Lococo — Argentine rapper, chosen as the Most Entertaining Player The renowned poker media outlet PokerNews was a finalist in four categories: Best Written Content, Best Media Content (Photo), Best Podcast, and Best Live Tournament Reporter. Connor Richards, senior editor of PokerNews USA and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast, received three Global Poker Awards nominations for his published work. Venue and Series: Baha Mar and WSOP Paradise The choice of Baha Mar as the venue is tied to the fact that WSOP Paradise — one of the largest live poker festivals, previously held at Atlantis Paradise Island — now takes place here. Baha Mar is a modern resort in the Bahamas, renowned for its luxury amenities and its capacity to host major poker events. Full List of Global Poker Awards 2025 Categories Most Feared Live Tournament Player Most Feared Live Tournament Mixed Games Player Most Feared Cash Game Player Fans Choice: Most Entertaining Player Best Final Table Performance Best Live Streamer Best Vlogger Best Villain Best Table Mate Please note that this year, the previous industry and media categories are absent, with the focus shifting to players and their impact on the game’s development. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this news is a great reason to pay attention to the latest trends in the poker community. The shift in focus at the Global Poker Awards toward players and their on-the-felt achievements underscores the importance not only of media presence, but also of real results at the tables. This can serve as extra motivation to participate regularly in tournaments, hone your skills, and strive for standout performances. Moreover, the introduction of new categories related to cash games and mixed formats reflects the growing interest in a wider variety of poker disciplines. PPPoker players should consider trying not only classic NLHE, but also other poker variants to broaden their skill set and boost their chances of future success. Finally, the examples of players like Adrian Mateos and Alejandro Lococo show that the path to recognition is open both to professionals and to charismatic personalities who know how to capture the audience’s attention. For PPPoker club members, this is a clear signal: active involvement in the community, content creation, and developing your own playing style can lead to recognition not only within online clubs, but also on the global stage.