PokerStars Wins Big at 2017 American Poker Awards

admin, February 27, 2017 2:10 pm

On February 23rd, the Sofitel Beverly Hills in California played host to the 3rd Annual Global Poker Index American Poker Awards, with the gala evening packed with top players, media, and industry workers from the poker world. As one might expect, the night proved a great success for many players affiliated with the world biggest online poker room, PokerStars, and amongst the plethora of stars picking up awards was Jason Mercier, Jason Somerville and Joe Stapleton (photo).

In fact, Team PokerStars Pro Jason Mercier collected two awards on the night, with both connected to his remarkable performance at the 2016 WSOP in which he cashed 11 times, including winning two bracelets for nearly $700,000. After receiving awards for WSOP Player of The Year and Poker Moment of the Year, the 30 year-old Florida pro commented:

“I’m not sure I have ever had or will ever have another week like I experienced during the WSOP last summer. Getting first, second and then first in three consecutive championship events definitely was an amazing feeling. It’s rare to catch such a heater, and I’m just grateful and fortunate that I was able to catch fire like that.”

In the meantime, Team PokerStars Pro Jason Somerville was acknowledged for his social media efforts by being named the Twitch Streamer of the Year, while regular PokerStars TV commentator Joe Stapleton was named Media Person of the Year.

Other players recognized for their achievements in 2016 was Maurice Hawkins for Breakout Performance of the Year; Ari Engel for Tournament Performance of the Year; Cliff Josephy for PocketFives Legacy Award; as well as David Peters and Cate Hall who collected American GPI Player of the Year awards in the male and female category.

Finally, honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award was Mori Eskandani, a veteran poker player and television produces who over the years has entertained poker fans all over the world with such shows as Poker After Dark, High Stakes Poker, and the National Heads-Up Poker Championship.

Poker News
Victor Ramdin and PokerStars: The End of a Long Road
Victor Ramdin and PokerStars: The End of a Long Road
04 Jun 2018
Victor Ramdin has parted company with PokerStars following 12 years representing the site as a sponsored ambassador. News of the Guyanan’s departure was made just prior to the start of this year’s World Series of Poker, which was seen as a necessary move in order to preempt any confusion created by his lack of an
Phil Ivey and Maurice Hawkins In The Ascendancy Ahead of 2018 WSOP
Phil Ivey and Maurice Hawkins In The Ascendancy Ahead of 2018 WSOP
21 May 2018
Last week, Valentin Vornicu captured two gold ring at the World Series of Poker Circuit New Orleans to top the WSOP Circuit Ring Winners list with twelve titles. Whatever clear daylight the Californian player had between himself and Maurice Hawkins, however, has now been narrowed to just one after the Florida pro won the $2,200
Tsoukernik and Kirk Settle High Stakes Lawsuit Out Of Court
09 May 2018
One of the stories to emerge from the 2017 World Series of Poker had nothing to do with winning a coveted gold bracelet, but instead involved a multi-million dollar dispute between King’s Casino owner Leon Tsoukernik and Aussie poker pro Matt Kirk, with the latter accusing the former of stiffing him out of $2 million
Maria Ho and Lupe Soto to be Inducted into 2018 WiPHoF
03 May 2018
The Women in Poker Hall of Fame (WiPHoF) has whittled down its initial list of 11 nominees to just 2 honorees, with Lupe Soto and Maria Ho beating their peers to be enshrined in the WiPHoF Class of 2018. The induction ceremony will take place at the the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas on June