Sam Trickett Named European Poker Player of the Year

Sam Trickett was honored at the 11^th Annual European Poker Awards, winning the coveted Player of the Year title. Trickett won the award in a year where several European players had breakout seasons, making his selection all the more meaningful.

Trickett had a monster year, making him fully worthy of taking down the award. He won nearly $4.6 million in 2011, including victories in the $100,000 High Roller event at the Aussie Millions series, a second place finish at the $250,000 Super High Roller tournament in the same series, and a win in the Main Event of the Partouche Poker Tour. Each of those wins netted Trickett at least $1.3 million.

But the UK poker pro wasn’t the only European poker player who had a big year in 2011. Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier was a monster at the tables last year, racking up nearly $2.3 million in winnings as well as his first ever World Series of Poker bracelet. And while he couldn’t pull down the Player of the Year award, he did walk home with Poker Personality of the Year, honoring both his outstanding results and his immense popularity.

Perhaps the most dramatic result of the year for European poker was Pius Heinz’s victory in the 2011 WSOP Main Event. Heinz defeated a table of tough professionals to win the world’s largest tournament, earning a prize of over $8.7 million. That was enough to easily earn Heinz the Best Tournament Performance award.

Several other awards were also given out to deserving European poker players. Illari Sahamies – better known by his online handle of “ziigmund” – won the Online Player of the Year award. Rookie of the Year honors went to Andrey Pateychuk, who won both a European Poker Tour event and a World Poker Tour crown, along with finishing 15^th in the WSOP Main Event.

Finally, a Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Jesse May. May, originally from the United States, now lives in Denmark and has been a successful poker player and commentator for over 20 years.