Harrah’s New Orleans hosted the fourth year of the awards earlier this week
Barstool Sports’ Ben Mintz hosted the fourth annual Gulf Coast Poker Awards during the Poker Gras Festival at Harrah’s New Orleans on October 15. The ceremony recognized the achievements of poker players and industry personnel, with seven people awarded trophies in various categories.
Cody Sanford won over Preston McEwen to take the Poker Gras Main Event championship, with both players also receiving awards. Maker’s Mark Whisky has sponsored the Gulf Coast Poker Awards since they were created in 2019 to recognize poker industry professionals and players from the Southern US.
Caitlin Comesky, co-host of the Aceholes podcast with Nikki Limo, was given the Content Provider of the Year Award, won last year by Mintz of Barstool Sports. Others nominated for the award were reporter Liam Gannon, photographer Rachel Kay Winter of PokerNews and tournament director Justin Hammer.
RunGood Poker Series creator Tana Kim and PokerGO’s Brent Hanks were nominated for the Industry Professional Award. However, Chase Haydel, Director of Operations at Harrah’s New Orleans, was the winner. Judy LeBlanc and the late Ross Leitz were winners of the Love of Poker Award. LeBlanc has had a two-year battle with cancer but still frequents poker rooms around the South.
McEwen, a Tennessee native, was awarded Player of the Year after earning over $780,000 in 2023. He has $1.6 million in career live tournament cashes, according to The Hendon Mob. McEwen started the year with a WSOP Circuit ring in Tunica for $183,653, followed by third place at the Harrah’s Cherokee Circuit Main Event in August for $175,713.
Sanford took the Tour Player of the Year, Jaymie Virtusio won the Female Player of the Year award and Jay Bishop earned the Senior of the Year trophy.
Emma Rodriguez is the Proofreader at the Big Blind, with seven years of experience and five years in online gambling. She plays a crucial role in maintaining content quality by ensuring error-free, reader-friendly information about the gambling industry.
