Jake Ferro from Syracuse, NY, has won the World Poker Tour (WPT) Season XIX Player of the Year (POY). The race for the honor this season was close until the end as Ferro cashed three events during the season that was shortened by COVID-19 concerns.
As a result, he wasn’t a winner this year but had a deep run in two of the tour’s major events.
“I’m thrilled to have won WPT Player of the Year for Season XIX and am definitely looking forward to playing more World Poker Tour events in 2022,” Ferro stated. “It would have been a dream come true to have etched my name on the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup, but coming so close only makes me hungrier for the coming season.”
Strong Wins Lead to the Title
On his path to the POY award, Ferro finished in 39th place at the WPT Tampa event in June, earning $15,690. In November, he finished second out of a field of 1,566 entrants to Gediminas Uselis at the Seminole Hard Rock’ N’ Roll Poker Open, earning himself $573,605 and the largest score of his career.
In December, he had another deep run in the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic in Las Vegas and finished 14th, winning another $80,245. Ferro had not cashed in any WPT events before this season.
“The WPT Player of the Year race came down to the wire, and Jake’s determination in the final event makes him a fantastic winner,” stated Adam Pliska, CEO of the WPT. “It was an exciting way to close out Season XIX and certainly raises the bar for what will be a historic 20th anniversary season.”
For second place in the POY race, there was a three-way tie in the points race. Rok Gostisa was awarded as the runner-up as he had the most earnings between the other two players. He earned $965,663 and cashed twice without making a final table.
Other Poker Players Honored for Successes
Chad Eveslage finished third with earnings of $916,840, getting a win along with two cashes, and Brian Altman rounded out the top four with $662,389 in earnings. He had three cashes this season, along with one tournament win. Rok Gostisa wins a $7,500 WPT Passport for second place, and third-place finisher Chad Eveslage will receive a $2,500 WPT Passport.
For his win as WPT Player of the Year, Ferro receives a $15,000 WPT Passport, which will be used to enter events next season. He will also receive “VIP Treatment” for the upcoming season, which includes free transportation and accommodations at all WPT Main Tour events.
Ferro won his first live tournament back in 2011. He won his first WPT-adjacent event in a side event at the 2021 Borgata Poker Open, taking home $22,000.
This month, the WPT will begin season XX in Hollywood, Florida, with the Seminole Lucky Hearts Poker Open at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The main event will run from January 21-26.
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