Although Western countries may have invented the game of poker, its popularity and widespread awareness increased its playability across the globe. Today the game is played in every corner of the world and more and more players are joining the game.
Among them are Asian players who are competing head-to-head on the global stage of poker. The Global Poker Index (GPI) Rankings showcase the skill, dedication, and competitive spirit of poker.
The GPI rankings for Asia celebrate Asian poker players and provide a benchmark for aspiring players. It highlights the achievements of Asia’s best poker talents. As the poker landscape of Asia continues to evolve, these rankings offer a glimpse into the future stars of the game.
Leading the pack of Asian players is China’s Tony “Ren” Lin with 4,023.94 points. Interestingly, Tony Lin also ranks second in the overall GPI rankings. He is currently grinding at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), where he has already claimed three cashes so far. The best of the three was his recent third place finish at Limit Razz Championship (Bracelet Event #50) for $130,447. He also collected 263.69 GPI points for this finish.
Although Tony Ren Lin has been a popular and regarded player in the global poker circuit for a long time, he made headlines earlier this year by taking down the No Limit Hold’em – Main Event at the PokerGO Tour – PGT Texas Poker Open held at Champions Social Poker Club in Huston, Texas. He pocketed $400,000 along with the prestigious title in April this year.
Second on GPI Asia Rankings is Thailand’s Punnat Punsri with 3,553.14 GPI points. The Natural8 ambassador is one of the high-stakes poker pros in the world, having achieved great results in the high-stakes circuit. So far he has had five cashes at the ongoing WSOP. Notably, Punnat Punsri ranks 14th on the GPI rankings overall.
Following Punnat Punsri is Hong Kong’s Daniel Chi Tang. With 3,434.18 GPI points to his credit, Daniel Chi Tang ranks third on GPI rankings for Asia and 17th on the overall GPI leaderboard. Daniel Chi Tang has had just one cash at the ongoing 55th WSOP 2024 so far.
China’s Quan Zhou follows in fourth place on the GPI Asia rankings with 3,378.64 GPI points and 22nd on the overall GPI rankings. Quan Zhou has been enjoying a fruitful season at the 55th WSOP 2024 so far with as many as eight cashes already to his credit. This includes a final table finish at Bracelet Event #41 No Limit Hold’em/Pot Limit Omaha – Double Board Bomb Pot event wherein he finished 5th for $66,930.
Quan Zhou is followed by another countryman Biao Ding, who takes the fifth spot on GPI Asia rankings with 3,239.93 GPI points. The Chinese player also ranks 33rd on the overall GPI rankings. Although he has not yet cashed at the WSOP, the high-stakes pro had four final table finishes at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Montenegro held in Budva, Montenegro in May.
Apart from the top five players, the GPI Asia rankings have two Indian pros in the top 10. These are pros Ankit Ahuja and Santhosh Suvarna. Ankit Ahuja ranks eighth with 2,977.95 points, while Santhosh Suvarna takes the 10th spot with 2,782.59 points. Ankit Ahuja has recorded four cashes at the WSOP 2024 so far. On the other hand, Santhosh Suvarna has had two cashes including one WSOP bracelet which he clinched at No Limit Hold’em – Super High Roller (Bracelet Event #55) for a jaw-dropping sum of $5,415,152.
GPI Rankings Asia
| Rank | Country | Name | GPI Points |
| 1 | China | Tony “Ren” Lin | 4,023.94 pts |
| 2 | Thailand | Punnat Punsri | 3,553.14 pts |
| 3 | Hong Kong | Daniel Chi Tang | 3,434.18 pts |
| 4 | China | Quan Zhou | 3,428.67 pts |
| 5 | China | Biao Ding | 3,213.96 pts |
| 6 | Japan | Masashi Oya | 3,124.56 pts |
| 7 | Malaysia | Wai Kiat Lee | 3,097.26 pts |
| 8 | India | Ankit Ahuja | 2,977.95 pts |
| 9 | Malaysia | Chin Wei Lim | 2,785.77 pts |
| 10 | India | Santhosh Suvarna | 2,782.59 pts |
Keep following PokerProNews for the latest updates on the global poker index rankings.
