Ferro wins World Poker Tour Player of the Year

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Jake Ferro, a 32-year-old poker player originally from Syracuse, NY has captured the World Poker Tour Season XIX Player of the Year award by edging out WPT Champions Club members with a deep run in the final event of the 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,” said Adam Pliska, World Poker Tour CEO. “It was an exciting way to close out Season XIX and certainly raises the bar for what will be an historic 20th anniversary season.”

Ferro cashed in three WPT events in Season XIX. The highlight of his performance came at the Seminole Rock 'N' Roll Poker Open in November when he outlasted 1,564 other entries before finishing runner-up to Gediminas Uselis. That result earned Ferro $573,605 and 1,200 POY points and set up the exciting finish at the Five Diamond World Poker Classic at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in December where his 14th place finish earned him 300 more points and propelled him to the top of the leaderboard.

“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,” said Ferro. “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.”

Along with the title, Ferro also earned a WPT Passport worth $15,000 that can be used on any Season XX events. He’ll also receive VIP treatment throughout the upcoming season, with complimentary accommodations and ground transportation at WPT Main Tour events.

Rok Gostisa, Chad Eveslage, and Brian Altman all tied for the second highest point total. Gostisa, who won the WPT World Online Championships Main Event in September, finished as the official runner-up after having won the most money amongst the three, while Eveslage finished in third place. Gostisa earned a $7,500 WPT Passport and Eveslage walked away with a $2,500 WPT Passport.

Albert Knafo earned the WPTDeepStacks North America Player of the Year award on the strength of his victory in the WPTDeepStacks Venetian in July. Knafo received a $10,000 WPT Passport which can be used in any WPT event worldwide. Albert Shainiuk finished just 50 points behind Knafo and won a $3,500 WPT Passport while Jason Young came in third place and won a $1,500 WPT Passport.

Season XX of the World Poker Tour begins later this month with the Lucky Hearts Poker Open at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and will feature an updated Player of the Year system which will be unveiled in the coming weeks.