GPI300: Smith, Gruissem Switch Spots as Top 10 Group Remains

All is quiet at the top of the GPI300 this week as the same group remains in the Top 10 yet again…

2014 PLAYER OF THE YEAR

After two big wins to start the season, Poland’s Dominik Panka (GPI#369) has taken over from Vanessa Selbst (GPI#6) at the top of the 2014 Global Poker Index Player of the Year race. We will have full analysis of a busy week atop the 2014 GPI PoY race on Thursday – stay tuned!

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Make it five weeks in a row at the top of the GPI300 for Ole Schemion (GPI#1, -) … although Schemion has yet to score Down Under at the Aussie Millions, there are still a few events remaining – including the 100K and 250K Challenges – where Schemion could still make some noise in Melbourne.

Once again this week there is no change in our top group of 10, the only change within the Top 10 comes between Dan Smith (GPI#4, +1) and Philipp Gruissem (GPI#5, -1) who switch spots. Smith remains the #1 American player in the world.

Taking a peak at those right outside the Top 10 and a familiar face could be about to make his way back into the Elite Group of 10. Former World #1 Jason Mercier (GPI#11, +15) is the bubble boy this week. Mercier, who surprisingly started the 2014 season ranked #48, is still in contention following Day 2 play in the Main Event at the Aussie Millions.

Joseph Serock (GPI#14, +11), Daniel Shak (GPI#19, +10) and Daniel O’Brien (GPI#29, +18) also made significants pushes towards the top this week.

GPI TOP 10:

[table id=811 /]

SWIMMING UPSTREAM

Czech pro Ondrej Vinklarek (GPI#108, +98) makes the biggest moves inside the GPI300 this week. Vinklarek earned four cashes at EPT Deauville last week, including a 4th place finish in the High Roller event.

Double Aussie Millions prelim event winner Mustapha Kanit (GPI#169, +92) almost makes a huge jump inside the 300 this week as do, amongst others, Tobias Reinkemeier (GPI#190, +91), Isaac Baron (GPI#221, +73) and Lauri Pesonen (GPI#227, +68).

This week’s Top 10 Movers within the GPI300:

[table id=812 /]

DOWN THE LADDER

Former EPT Deauville runner-up Walid Bou Habib (GPI#256, -99) takes the biggest hit this week falling close to 100 spots and moving into the dangerous “Tommy Vedes Danger Zone” where one more misstep and he may find himself on the outside of the 300, looking in.

Blair Hinkle (GPI#264, -64), Tom Hall (GPI#199, -45) and Salvatore Bonavena (GPI#174, -32) are three others who lose ground this week.

This week’s Top 10 Drops within the GPI300:

[table id=813 /]

IN-N-OUT

A pair of Russian Alexanders are back in the 300 this week as Alexander Kravchenko (GPI#219, +214) and Alexander Kuzmin (GPI#240, +67) make their way back in.

Former November Niner John Racener (GPI#291, +138), Tyler Patterson (GPI#236, +140) and Joep van den Bijgaart (GPI#247, +123) also find their way onto the Top 300 list this week.

Soon-to-be father Jake Cody (GPI#308, -11) falls outside the 300 for the first time in four weeks. Cody will be taking some time off from the live tournament circuit to take care of his newborn so we may have to wait a bit before we see him back inside the friendly confines of the GPI300.

Former WSOP Poker Players Champion Brian Rast (GPI#309, -11), Bobby Oboodi (GPI#301, -7) and Mihai Manole (GPI#332, -75) are amongst the seven other players falling from the GPI300 this week.

[table id=814 /]