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GPI European Poker Awards 12th edition

For its twelfth edition, the GPI European Poker Awards ceremony has gathered all the poker scene from Europe in Paris, on the Champs Elysées, to congratulate the best players and talents from the poker industry. Sponsored by Global Poker Index (GPI), Aviation Club de France and Poker52 Europa magazine, this incredible event has welcomed more than 200 guests for the night. All the poker big names were here, and the hostess’ ceremony was the elegant Kara Scott, a very well-known and appreciated TV-host and poker player.

Before dinner, Kara Scott invited Alexandre Dreyfus (CEO of GPI) on stage to give the GPI Player of the Year prizes to the winners. Then came onstage Bertrand « ElkY » Grospellier (France) ; Marvin Rettenmaier (Germany) ; Roberto Romanello (United Kingdom) ; Davidi Kitai (Belgium) ; Dermot Blain (Ireland) ; Juha Helppi (Finland) ; Andrea Dato (Italy) ; Ivo Donev (Austria) ; Cesar Garcia (Spain).

Earlier in the day, the jury debated about the nominees. Its nine members spent more than three hours to pick this year’s winners, and voted by secret ballot. Its president Nic Szeremeta was accompanied by Stefan Gollubits (CAPT director), Juha Helppi (finnish player), Jérôme Schmidt (Poker52 Europa chief editor), Barry Carter (Card Player journalist), Joe Beevers (HendonMob ranking founder), Alexandre Dreyfus (Global Poker Index), Michael Michelin (Business Unit Manager for PokerStrategy group) and Jesse May (TV commentator).

The prizes awarded for this 12^th edition of GPI European Poker Awards :

The Rookie of the Year award was given by ElkY to Ole Schemion.

The Best Tournament Performance award was given by Bruno Benveniste to Davidi Kitai.

The Europe’s leading Lady award was given by Neil Barrett to Lucille Cailly.

The Internet Player of the Year award was given by Juha Helppi to Jens Kyllönen.

The Poker Staff Person of the Year award was given by Lucille Denos to Simon Trumper.

The Rob Gardner Memorial award for the Personality of the Year was given by Edgar Stuchly to Kara Scott.

The Best Event of the Year award was given by Sabine Hazoume to EPT Barcelona (Sylvie Belanger, from Casino Barcelona and Edgar Stuchly, EPT President).

The Player of the Year award was given to German player, Marvin Rettenmaier, the uncontested leader of the European GPI ranking, by Alexandre Dreyfus.

And last but not least, the Lifetime Achievement Award was given by Jesse May to Gus Hansen, for his incredible poker player career.

GPI European Poker Awards 2012