When we last checked in on our Season XII Player of the Year race in early January, we had two competitors tied for the lead in what was shaping up to be a very tight contest. Since then, the field has strung itself out a little, with one player, Jared Jaffee, jumping out to small lead thanks to his fourth-place finish at January’s WPT Borgata Poker Open, which marked his second final-table appearance of the season.
While Jaffee currently sits 450 points ahead of his closest competition – Russian pro Vasili Firsau, another two-time final tableist, and WPT Doyle Brunson Five Diamond Poker Classic champion Dan Smith – the race for the title remains anyone’s game heading into the start of our California Swing.
With the winner getting free hotel accommodations, free ground transportation to and from the airport, and food and beverage credits at every North American stop – and at select international locations – on the Main Tour in Season XIII, players are competing for a total prize package worth more than $30,000. The top 15 places on the Player of the Year leader board are listed below, but be sure to check back next week to see how the standings get shaken up at the conclusion of the WPT LA Poker Classic.
1. Jared Jaffee – 1,850
2. Dan Smith – 1,400
2. Vasili Firsau – 1,400
3. Anthony Zinno – 1,250
3. David Paredes – 1,250
3. Jordan Cristos – 1,250
4. Anthony Merulla – 1,200
4. Dan Heimiller – 1,200
4. Derrick Rosenbarger – 1,200
4. Gary Benson – 1,200
4. Mukul Pahuja – 1,200
5. Eddy Sabat – 1,100
5. Mohsin Charania – 1,100
6. James Calderaro – 1,050
6. Shaun Suller – 1,050