Over the years, poker has been viewed by most people as a game of chance that falls into the category of gambling, rather than a game of skill that falls into the category of sport. The poker community has been doing its best to change that public perception but has not made as much progress as it would have liked.
The game of poker faces stiff opposition when gambling companies apply for permits to build brick and mortar casinos or apply for an online gambling license. Yet, professional poker is one of the most lucrative games in the world and recent reports show that the prize money earned by the top 10 professional poker players on the Global Poker Index is not very far from the prize money earned by the top 10 tennis players on the ATP or the top 10 professional golfers on the PGA.
Now, two prominent gambling companies have decided to collaborate to promote the game of poker and build a stronger image. The Global Poker Index confirmed that it will partner with the Ivey League and will focus on marketing and promoting a positive image of the poker industry and the poker players.
The Global Poker Index (GPI) ranks professional poker players across the world that play live tournament poker. The GPI uses a number of key factors to provide player ratings and calculate points. The ratings are updated on a regular basis and provide the poker community with real time information on professional poker players across the globe. GPI CEO Alexandre Dreyfus said
We are elated to be working with the biggest name in the game of poker. We hope that this team will further highlight the game of poker and promote its players.
The Ivey League was established in 2013 by Phil Ivey, who is considered to be one of the greatest poker players of all time. The Ivey League specializes in training and mentoring aspiring professional poker players and the company enlists some of the best poker pros in the world to share content and strategies so that Ivey League students learn cutting edge poker strategies. In a statement, Phil Ivey said
Ivey League is a single source for all training needs. Our goal is to provide the tools necessary to increase the skill level of every poker player and to win. We look forward to working with the Global Poker Index as they are a leader in promoting poker as a sport/skill game.
