December 10 2014, by Eric Danis

GPI300: #1 Smith loses points while Negreanu, Barer gain ground

Dan Smith’s lead shrinks atop the GPI World Poker Rankings …

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Dan Smith GPIDan Smith (GPI#1, =) has held the #1 rank on the GPI World Poker Rankings for 16 straight weeks, doubling his closest competitor, Ole Schemion (GPI#2), who held the #1 rank for 8 straight weeks this spring. That being said, it wasn’t a very good week for Smith, who say his two cashes from last year’s WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic, move into a third aging period. Smith’s GPI score fell to under 4,000 points for the first time since August 20th, the week before embarking on his current long streak at #1.

A pair of Canadians gained important ground this week as former World #1 and GPI Player of the Decade Daniel Negreanu (GPI#5, +3) and Aussie Millions Champion Ami Barer (GPI#6 CB, +4) each make their way up the standings this week. Negreanu is expected to play the Five Diamond World Poker Classic next week (maybe even an appearance at WPT Alpha8 Las Vegas?) while although we originally believed Barer would be playing the EPT Prague Festival, he has yet to be seen on the tournament floor.

For the first time in weeks, we have a new member inside the Top 10 as Jacob Schindler (GPI#10, +5) re-enters the elite group this week. WSOP Main Event World Champion Martin Jacobson (GPI#13, -4) falls out of the Top 10 for first time since his monumental victory last month at the Rio in Las Vegas.

Sorel Mizzi (GPI#11, +1) and Jonathan Duhamel (GPI#12, +1) continue to hold bubble positions. Mizzi has been travelling the European Circuit and is currently in the Czech Republic for the EPT Prague Festival while Duhamel has decided to take a little time off and enjoy the holiday season with family and friends. We will see the 2010 WSOP Champ next at the PCA in the Bahamas.

[table id=1364 /]

SWIMMING UPSTREAM

2014 Seminole Hard Rock Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open winner Christopher Bolek (GPI#133 CB, +115) makes a big move up the ranks this week, blasting by his previous career-best #221 rank. Bolek added over 850 GPI points to his totals during the month of November.

WSOP Circuit Cherokee winner Jacob Bazeley (GPI#109, +77) and GPI July Player of the Month Chance Kornuth (GPI#185 CB, +77) are two other notables to make significant moves up this week.

[table id=1365 /]

DOWN THE LADDER

Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier (GPI#154, -70) drops out of the Top 100 for the very first time in GPI history. The decorated PokerStars Team Pro has collected nine cashes so far this season but has been unable to collect points at the rate that he has in the past. As old results continue to lose value, ElkY has been unable to replenish those points.

Notable players also dropping in the rankings this week include WSOP bracelet winners John Hennigan (GPI#169, -62) and Loni Harwood (GPI#269, -46) and WPT Legends of Poker Champ and online poker legend Chris Moorman (GPI#271, -54).

[table id=1366 /]

IN-N-OUT

A win in Sydney sees Aussie pro Tam Truong (GPI#187) take a giant leap back into the GPI300 this week. The win is Truong’s third of the 2014 poker season. He has 11 other cashes to go along with those three victories. Congratulations go out to Iaron Lightbourne (GPI#228 CB) and Alex Goulder (GPI#251 CB),two recent winners on the European circuit, each make their debut inside the GPI300 this week.

Steven Silverman (GPI#429) exits the GPI300 for the first time in almost two years. Silverman’s last stay outside the 300 was in January 2013. Former November Niners Jesse Sylvia (GPI#339) and Amir Lehavot (GPI#365) also leave the 300 this week.

[table id=1367 /]

ON THE BUBBLE

UK pro Ryan Spittles (GPI#301) finds himself on the bubble this week. Spittles was last ranked inside the 300 on November 5, just a few short weeks ago. A strong performance during the EPT Prague Festival would certainly allow him to jump back in before the close of the 2014 poker season.

 

Related articles

About the author

Eric Danis’ passion for poker came at a very early age but it’s when writing about and covering the game he loves that Danis is most in his element. Danis is better known for creating www.PTPRpoker.com where he spent a few years covering poker events. Danis is also known for having worked on the poker shows Poker Eh! and The Pulse on the Quad Jacks Network.