GPI Asia Update: Ren Lin Is On Top, Santhosh Moves Up To 6th

The Global Poker Index (GPI) rankings reflect the ongoing and current progress of poker players globally Likewise the GPI Rankings for Asia are a reflection of the growing poker influence of the region on the international poker landscape. Asian poker players are rapidly and consistently competing and performing at higher levels of poker globally and are securing top spots in global competitions. This rapid rise of poker talent is fueled by a variety of factors, such as the rise of major poker series being held across Asia. Interestingly, these festivals like the Asian Poker Tour (APT), U Series of Poker (USOP) and more have attracted not only local players from the region but also international players.

The GPI Asia rankings highlight not only the player’s consistent success in tournaments but also the strategic prowess and versatility that these players display while competing in both live and online formats. The surge of poker in the region is clear as Asian players continue to gain more recognition on the global stage​.

1. Tony “Ren” Lin – 3,923.10 GPI points

Leading the GPI rankings for Asia is China’s Tony “Ren” Lin. He has been dominating the ranking for quite some time now boasting a score of 3,923.10 GPI points. During the past month, he made quite some headlines to remain on the top of the board. He was recently seen grinding at the PokerGO Tour – PGT 2024 Poker Masters in Las Vegas, NV, United States. He recorded two cashes, both final table finishes in this series. He first took the 6th spot at No Limit Hold’em – Poker Masters Event #2, for which he earned $50,000 and 194.53 GPI points. Later he finished 7th on the final table of No Limit Hold’em – Poker Masters Event #3 for a pay cheque of $37,600.

Prior to this, he was seen at the European Poker Tour – EPT Barcelona held in Barcelona, Spain earlier this month. Tony Lin recorded three cashes at this series including a 5th place finish at No Limit Hold’em – 6-Handed (Event #61) for €27,900 and 150.81 GPI points, and a 10th place finish at No Limit Hold’em – ESPT Main Event (Event #1) for €50,590. He narrowly missed the title finishing runner-up at the + 5,000 No Limit Hold’em – Mystery Bounty (Event #5). He cashed €71,200 and earned 243.52 GPI points for his second-place finish.

2. Punnat Punsri – 3,653.01 GPI points

Continuing in second place is Punnat Punsri with 3,653.01 GPI points to his credit. Interestingly, the Thailand-based player was last seen at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2024 in July and has still managed to rank second. He nailed a total of 9 cashes at the WSOP, with his best being at the No Limit Hold’em – 8-Handed (Bracelet Event #87). He narrowly missed the gold here finishing at the runner-up spot and taking home a paycheque of $523,648 and 501.45 GPI points.

3. Daniel Chi Tang – 3,587.46 GPI points

Like Punnat Punsri, Hong Kong’s Daniel Chi Tang continues at the third place despite being inactive for nearly two months. He takes the third spot for 3,587.46 GPI points. He too was last seen cashing at WSOP 2024, wherein he too missed the gold at the Pot Limit Omaha – High Roller (Bracelet Event #79). The player took the second spot for $1,400,217 and 409.52 GPI points at this event.

4. Quan Zhou – 3,455.45  GPI points

In fourth place is Quan Zhou with 3,455.45 GPI points. The Chinese player was last seen at the Super High Roller Bowl Series Cyprus (SHRB) held in Kyrenia, Cyprus. He shipped the No Limit Hold’em – SHRB #02 7-Max event at this series and walked home with a pay cheque of $316,000 and 300.60 GPI points. Additionally, he was also seen cashing at No Limit Hold’em – Mystery Bounty SHRB #06 6-Max event for a sum of $82,000 and 206.33 GPI points.

5. Biao Ding – 3,315.39 GPI points.

Taking the fifth spot is Biao Ding with a score of 3,315.39 GPI points. Hailing from China, Biao Ding was last seen cashing at the European Poker Tour – EPT Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain. Here he recorded three cashes including a 33rd place finish at No Limit Hold’em – EPT High Roller (Event #52) for €21,850 and 184.23 GPI points, an 89th place finish at No Limit Hold’em – ESPT Main Event (Event #1) for €9,960 and a final table finish at the 6th place at the No Limit Hold’em (Event #44) for a sum of €93,600 and 189.05 GPI points.

6. Santhosh Suvarna – 3,127.91 GPI points

The GPI Asia ranking has two Indian players among the top 10. One of them is Santhosh Suvarna at the 6th spot with 3,127.91 GPI points. Notably, Santhosh has risen up the ranks, thanks to his recent impressive results. He was most recently seen making waves at  European Poker Tour – EPT Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain. Here he recorded three cashes including two final table finishes. This includes a 5th place finish at No Limit Hold’em – EPT Super High Roller (Event #22) for €358,000 and 178.93 GPI points, a 3rd place finish at + 3,000 No Limit Hold’em – PokerStars Cuatro Knockout (Event #9) for €77,900 and 210.72 GPI points, and a 10th place finish at + 5,000 No Limit Hold’em – Mystery Bounty (Event #5) for €10,200 and 141.39  GPI points. 

He was also seen grinding at the Super High Roller Bowl Series Cyprus (SHRB) in Kyrenia, Cyprus in August. Here he narrowly missed victory finishing at the runner-up spot at the No Limit Hold’em – SHRB #01 8-Max event. He pocketed $220,000 for his efforts and scored 234.25 GPI points.

8. Ankit Ahuja – 3,061.03 GPI points

The other Indian on the list is Ankit Ahuja, who has witnessed a considerable drop from his previous month’s standing. He ranks at the eighth spot this month with 3,061.03 GPI points. He was seen last cashing at European Poker Tour – EPT Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, wherein he recorded four cashed. He first cashes at the No Limit Hold’em – ESPT Main Event (Event #1) at the 750th place for a pay cheque of €2,230. This was followed by a 214th finish at the No Limit Hold’em – Estrellas Cup (Event #18) for €1,110 and 58.43 GPI points, and a 141st place at the + 1,000 No Limit Hold’em – EPT Mystery Bounty (Event #39). Here he cashed €3,400 and 104.82 GPI points. He ended the season with a 105th place finish at the 

+ 500 No Limit Hold’em – Mystery Bounty (Event #50) for an additional €1,680 in prize amount and 81.68 GPI points. 

GPI Asia Rankings

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