The 2026 Card Player Player of the Year (POY) race is shaping up to be competitive, and at the end of January, Venezuelan-born horse trainer turned poker pro Giuseppe Iadisernia sits atop the early leaderboard. His big score in one of the first marquee events of the year has put him in front of a tight pack of notable tournament players.
Iadisernia’s Big Win Kicks Off His POY Campaign
Iadisernia jumped into the 2026 POY lead by winning the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open $3,500 NLH Championship, topping a field of 1,229 entries to earn $611,700—one of the largest prizes of the young season.
That victory not only delivered his biggest live score to date but also helped solidify his position as a serious contender in the year‑long race. The result has pushed his career earnings over the $2 million mark, building on previous deep runs including a notable cash at the 2024 WSOP.
Top 10 Card Player 2026 POY Rankings After January
Here’s a look at the early leaderboard for the 2026 Card Player POY race:
| POY Rank | Player | Country | POY Points | POY Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giuseppe Iadisernia | Venezuela | 1,650 | $799,400* |
| 2 | David Coleman | USA | 1,484 | ~$518,840* |
| 3 | Blake Vogdes | USA | 1,368 | ~$457,980* |
| 4 | Brandon Wilson | USA | 1,365 | ~$547,450* |
| 5 | Zilong Zhang | USA | 1,232 | ~$242,034* |
| 6 | Thomas Boivin | Belgium | 1,212 | ~$605,225* |
| 7 | Jorge Gomez | USA | 1,200 | ~$398,860* |
| 8 | June Kim | USA | 1,200 | ~$397,350* |
| 9 | Andrew Lichtenberger | USA | 1,198 | ~$408,500* |
| 10 | Clemen Deng | USA | 1,150 | ~$524,450* |
*Estimated totals based on available tournament results.
Iadisernia’s lead is early but noteworthy, as the race is tight with many accomplished players bunched closely behind him.
Notable Contenders to Watch
Several names on the list deserve extra attention:
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Zilong “Aaron” Zhang gained attention during the 2022 WSOP Main Event due to his unique merge‑bet style that had seasoned pro Dan Smith guessing and ultimately eliminated him at the feature table.
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Thomas Boivin, one of Belgium’s most accomplished players, added serious points with a win in a high‑roller event at the same WPT Lucky Hearts festival that Iadisernia topped.
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Andrew “Chewy” Lichtenberger made the top ten after scoring a win on the PokerGO Tour, showing his consistency across different tours.
Can the 2025 Champion Repeat?
The defending 2025 Card Player POY champion, Jesse Lonis, had a dominant run last year, holding off late pushes from competitors like Punnat Punsri and Alex Foxen. While Lonis has registered a few cashes in early PGT Kickoff events, he has yet to notch a big score in 2026, leaving the door open for new contenders.
Looking Ahead
With about one‑twelfth of the year complete, the POY race is just warming up. Iadisernia’s early lead demonstrates how a single major win can vault a player to the top in a tight leaderboard, but the grind through spring and summer bracelet and tour events will ultimately determine who claims Card Player POY honors at season’s end.
