Negreanu, Kihara, Salsberg Headline PokerListings Spirit of Poker Awards

Loosely representing the Past, Present and Future of poker, the First Annual Spirit of Poker Awards put a twist on the standard Player of the Year awards and aim to recognize a few of the game’s most inspiring players.

Spirit of Poker Nominees Bring More to the Game

What exactly does "Spirit of Poker" mean? In a nutshell: Great players who bring joy, heart, imagination and timelessness to the game.

Results are important, sure. But it's the players who bring something extra to the table beyond just big scores that are the backbone of the game and essential to the industry's long-term growth.

At PokerListings our mission has always been to bring new players into the game and these guys do exactly that with their skill and attitude at the tables.

Voting Open, Award Ceremony at 2013 BOM

Covering the poker season from last year’s WSOP in Vegas to the end of this year’s EPT Grand Final, our 2013 Spirit of Poker Awards nominees are the players we saw who impressed us at the felt.

Voting is now officially open with the top three vote getters in each category making it up before a PokerListings panel to declare the winner.

More detail on each nominee and why they've been selected can be found on each category page along with the voting form.

Voting is open until August 26, 2013. A live ceremony will be held at the 2013 Battle of Malta where the winners will be presented with their awards.

Nominees and categories below:

The "This is 50+" Award

This award is dedicated to long-time veterans of the game who showed they still have what it takes to succeed in poker on top of being great ambassadors.

Marcel Luske Pierre Neuville Jan Bendik Thor Hansen Mike Sexton Konstantin Puchkov Chris Björin Padraig Parkinson

Vote for your Favorite Oldtimer here!

Most Inspiring Player Award

Simply put, our MIP nominees make us - and thousands of people around the world - want to play poker just by watching them play poker.

Marvin Rettenmaier Daniel Negreanu Naoya Kihara Matt Salsberg George Danzer Max Lykov Rocco Palumbo Isaac Haxton

Vote for your Most Inpiring Player right here!

Here Comes the Future Award

Our tribute to the player we think will be the leaders of the poker industry five years from now.

Luca Moschitta Sofia "Welllbet" Lövgren Lauri Pesonen Max Altergott Paul Berende Joni Jouhkimainen James Obst Ole Schemion

Vote for your Favorite Future Hero right here!

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