On February 15th, professional poker players walked their version of the red carpet at the Music Box Theatre in Hollywood, California, for the Card Player, Player of the Year Awards Banquet. The event was hosted by Calvin Ayre, founder and CEO of Bodog, and Master of Ceremonies was none other than Brad Garrett of 'Everybody Loves Raymond' fame.

The winners of each category were as follows:

Breakthrough Player
Michael Gracz

Best Cash Game Player
Chip Reese

Poker Ambassador
Mike Sexton

Best No-Limit Player
Phil Ivey

Best Heads-up Player
Phil Ivey

more....

Best Mixed Game Player
Chip Reese

Most Underrated Player
Allen Cunningham

Most Feared Player
Phil Ivey

Best Female Player
Jennifer Harman

Most Entertaining Player
Mike "The Mouth" Matusow

People's Choice Award-Best Celebrity Poker Player
Jennifer Tilly

People's Choice Award-Favorite Overall Player
Daniel Negreanu

Lifetime Achievement Award
Doyle Brunson

Card Player of The Year
Men Nguyen

On January 25, the 2006 UK Gambling Awards were held in London, England. More than ten thousand readers of InsideEdge, PokerPlayer, and Total Gambler magazines voted for their favorites. Results were as follows:

Top Poker TV Show
Winner: Poker Night Live
Runner Up: 2005 World Seris of Poker

Poker Player of the Year
Winner: Phil Ivey
Runner Up: Daniel Negreanu

Poker Site of the Year
Winner: PokerRoom.com
Runner Up: Ladbrokes Poker

Online Casino of the Year
Winner: 888.com
Runner Up: Coral

Betting Exchange Firm of the Year
Winner: Betfair
Runner Up: Cantor Spreadfair

iGaming Software Provider of the Year
Winner: Wagerlogic
Highly Commended: Ongame and Playtech

Bookmaker of the Year
Winner: Coral
Runner Up: Ladbrokes

Spread Betting Firm of the Year
Winner: Sporting Index
Runner Up: IG Sport

Gambling Personality of the Year
Winner: Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott
Highly Commended: Helen Chamberlain and Tom 'Pricewise' Segal

The Dennis Gambling 'Best of 2005' Award
Winner: Betfair
Highly Commended: Paradise Poker and Oddschecker

Source: Inside Edge

It is thirty days until the Oscars, but only twelve until the Player of the Year Awards Banquet Gala. Which is more exciting? If you are a poker player, I can only hope your answer is the latter. The event will be held on February 15th at the Henry Fonda Music Box Theater in Los Angeles, and is sponsored by Card Player Magazine along with Bodog, who are also producing the show. Set to emcee the event is none other than Brad Garrett - best known for his role on Everybody loves Raymond, though he is also an avid poker player himself.

Even though we already know who wins Player of the Year, (Men Nguyen, in case you haven't been paying attention) the other winners will be kept secret until the night of the event.

Additional categories are:

• Best Cash Game Player
• Poker's Top Ambassador
• Most Entertaining Player
• Best Heads-Up Player
• Best No-Limit Player
• Best Mixed Game Player
• Most Feared Player
• Most Underrated Player

Card Player has also been taking votes for the People's Choice Awards in the following two categories:

Favorite Overall Player (Final nominees listed)

• Doyle Brunson
• Chris Ferguson
• Phil Ivey
• Mike Matusow
• Daniel Negreanu

Best Celebrity Poker Player

• Gabe Kaplan
• Tobey McGuire
• Jennifer Tilly

UPDATE: You can read the full list of winners via this link!