A new award and one decided by the members of the jury. For the inaugural they chose to recognise the often criticised, the much maligned, but seldom praised, poker dealer.

Nic Szeremeta, Honorary president of the GPI European Poker Awards , took to the stage and first asked anyone in the room who was a poker dealer to come to the stage. There were 20 or so dealers in the room and they slowly filed to the stage. Szeremeta went on to say that the jury unanimously wanted to recognise the work of the dealers at European poker events as they are the front line that allow the players to participate in the tournaments.

They undoubtedly received the biggest ovation of the night thus far as many in the audience stood to praise the work of a group of people that only seem to get noticed if they make a mistake.

Past winners: New award