The World Series of Poker Player of the Year

In the World Series of Poker, a Player of the Year is awarded to the player who has accumulated the most points throughout the event. This practice started in 2004, after the rights to World Series of Poker was purchased from professional poker player and casino owner, Benny Binion, by Harrah's Entertainment. After being bought by Harrah's, the venue for the WSOP was moved from Bionion's Horseshoe, to Rio Hotel and Casino, located near the Las Vegas Strip.

The World Series of Poker is the largest set of poker tournaments in the world, and the WSOP's most well known and highly anticipated event is the Main Event, a ten thousand dollar buy-in game of no limit Texas Hold'em. With a multi-million dollar prize, a picture in the Gallery of Champions, and the unofficial title of World Champion of Poker, it is no wonder that winners in this particular event are looked upon as minor poker gods. However, simply because a player has won a Main Event bracelet does not necessarily mean that they will get the title of Player of the Year.

In fact, since 2006, the Main Event and the fifty thousand dollar buy-in H.O.R.S.E. poker tournaments have been deemed not to have any effect on the whether or not a person will be named Player of the Year. On this matter, "open" events are the only events that count in the standings. In 2008 though, the fifty thousand dollar H.O.R.S.E. was counted towards the player of the year award.

The first Player of the Year award was given to Daniel Negreanu in 2004. This particular poker player managed to win only one bracelet, but had remained in contention in five different final tables, and had made six separate "money" finishes; which is to say, remaining in contention against opponents long enough to garner a cash prize. In 2005, Allen Cunningham won the Player of the Year Award, with four final tables and five money finishes. In 2006, Jeff Madsen was awarded the title. He won two bracelets in two separate poker tournaments, as well as reaching four final tables, and managing to make four money finishes. 2007's Player of the Year, Tom Schneider, also had two bracelets, but only managed to reach three final tables and money finishes. The 2008 winner of the Player of the Year award was Erick Lindgren, who won one bracelet, but managed five money finishes, and reached three final tables.