GPI300: Kitai moves back to #2; Kanit makes Top 10 debut

Kitbul returns to a familiar position while a Global Poker Masters Champion hits the Top 10…

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Scott Seiver (GPI#1, =) won’t be known as a one-hit wonder. The American begins Week #2 atop the GPI World Poker Rankings. Although Seiver was expected to lose points this week, he more than made up for those aging scores by earning three big results so far at the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo, including earning a victory in the 5K PLO Event #43.

Triple Crown winner Davidi Kitai (GPI#2, +1) returns to a very familiar position as the second ranked player in the World this week. Kitai, who has been ranked inside the Top 10 since making his debut inside the elite group last August, has spent a considerable amount of time ranked #2 or #3 in 2015.

Ole Schemion (GPI#3, -1) falls for second straight week, sitting third in the World. However, Schemion, who dropped more points this week, will see his numbers rise next week as he is still alive in the Main Event at the EPT Grand Final. Schemion is one of 15 players who will return on Thursday to play down to a final table. UK star Stephen Chidwick (GPI#7, -1) could also get a boost next week following his 21st place finish at the Grand Final.

Mustapha Kanit (GPI#10, +19), Global Poker Masters winner as a member of Team Italy, enters the Top 10 for the very first time of his career on the live tournament circuit. Kanit, who won the single-day EPT Grand Final Super High Roller event over the weekend, moves up 19 spots to #10 in the World this week.

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SWIMMING UPSTREAM

A strong end to the month of April sees American pro Ray Qartomy (GPI#121, +98) make a significant jump in the standings for the second consecutive week. Qartomy, who was dangerously close from dropping out of the 300 prior to his latest scores – which included a final table performance at the WPT World Championship – has been ranked inside the GPI300 since March of 2013.

Former World #2 Mike Watson (GPI#50, +52) returns to the Top 50 for the first time since dropping to #100 just two weeks ago. Ranked #102 last week marked the first time Watson sat outside the Top 100 in over three years (ranked #102 on April 2, 2012).

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DOWN THE LADDER

Speaking of former World #2’s, Philipp Gruissem (GPI#275, -81) finds himself dangerously close from falling out of the GPI300 for the very first time of his career. The good news for the German star is that he scored a victory in 5K No-Limit Hold’em Event #51 at the EPT Grand Final, ensuring that points will be added to his totals next week that should see him move back up the ranks in next week’s update.

Dan Colman (GPI#124, -35) continues to drop in the standings. The 2014 WSOP Big One for One Drop Champion has yet to score a single point this season.

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IN-N-OUT

Former WSOP Main Event and WPT World Championship winner Carlos Mortensen (GPI#273) makes a triumphant return to the GPI300 this week. El Matador finished 4th at the WPT World Championship last week, coming close to becoming the very first player to win the WPT’s season-ending event twice. Mortensen returns to the 300 for the first time since the start of the 2013 poker season.

2014 GPI Female Poker Player of the Year runner-up Samantha Cohen (GPI#314) is one of 11 players to exit the 300 this week.

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