The 2024 GUKPT Grand Final: A Premier Poker Event
Grinders have been eagerly anticipating news about the 2024 Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) Grand Final ever since the official dates were announced at the beginning of the year. PokerNews is pleased to usher in the details, as Grosvenor Casinos has rolled out the full schedule for the upcoming Grand Final, marking an exciting chapter in the poker landscape.
Venue Change: Luton Takes Center Stage
Traditionally held at the Grosvenor Victoria Casino in London—commonly referred to as The Vic—this year’s Grand Final is set to take place in Luton, due to extensive renovations at the London venue. The choice of Luton, often regarded as a poker hotbed, promises to attract a diverse crowd of players eager to compete for glory.
Event Dates and Highlights
The 2024 GUKPT Grand Final will run from November 20 to December 1 at the Grosvenor G Casino on Park Street West. There will be numerous tournaments leading up to the culmination of the series on December 1, along with a thrilling £110 buy-in, £25,000 guaranteed online Closer event to cap off the tour on December 2-3.
Complete Schedule
Excitement is in the air with a busy schedule that caters to all types of players. Here’s a detailed glimpse of what’s in store:
| Date | Time | Event | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 20 Nov | 7:00 p.m. | £50 Opener + Mini Main Satellite | – |
| Thu 21 Nov | 12:00 p.m. | £560 NLHE Midi Main Day 1A | £100,000 |
| 6:00 p.m. | £200 NLHE Opener Day 1 | £50,000 | |
| Fri 22 Nov | 12:00 p.m. | £560 NLHE Midi Main Day 1B | £100,000 |
| 6:00 p.m. | £200 NLHE Opener Day 1B | £50,000 | |
| 9:00 p.m. | £560 NLHE Midi Main Day 1C Turbo | £100,000 | |
| Sat 23 Nov | 12:00 p.m. | £200 NLHE Opener Day 1C | £50,000 |
| 12:00 p.m. | £560 NLHE Midi Main Day 2 | £50,000 | |
| 6:00 p.m. | £200 NLHE Opener Day 1D Turbo | £50,000 | |
| … | … | … | … |
| Mon 2 Dec | 7:00 p.m. | £110 NLHE Online Closer Day 1 | £25,000 |
| Tue 3 Dec | 7:00 p.m. | £110 NLHE Online Closer Day 2 | £25,000 |
Numerous events throughout the series come with hefty guarantees. The £200 NLHE Opener and £550 NLHE GUKPT Cup, for example, each boast a £50,000 prize pool guarantee. Meanwhile, the anticipated £1,250 NLHE GUKPT Main Event guarantees a staggering £250,000—a hefty sum that underscores the event’s stature.
The Main Event
The Crown Jewel of the Grand Final is the £250,000 guaranteed Main Event, which features three starting flights, including a turbo structure for Day 1C. The tournament is set to conclude on December 1, with the ultimate champion earning not just monetary rewards, but also prestige and a significant amount of National Poker League (NPL) points.
Reigning Champion and Legacy
Last year’s Grand Final was won by Paul Vas Nunes, who triumphed over a formidable field of 325 players to take home £140,000, representing the seventh six-figure prize of his poker career. With such a legacy at stake, the competition promises to be fierce and the atmosphere electric.
Upcoming Events on the Tour
Before the Grand Final, the GUKPT makes a penultimate stop in Blackpool, running from October 30 to November 10. Players keen to enhance their skills and rack up points might want to check out the Blackpool schedule ahead of the Grand Final.
A Look Back: Past Champions
The GUKPT Grand Final has a rich history, beginning with its inaugural event in November 2007. Notable past champions include poker legends such as Tony Cascarino, Fabian Quoss, and Sam Grafton, who have all left their mark on the tournament.
One of the standout performances came from Trung "Andy" Moc, who won the Grand Final in 2021, securing the largest single prize in the event’s history at £265,350. This legacy of champion poker players adds an extra layer of excitement to each new Grand Final.
Full List of Champions
| Season | Date | Buy-in | Entrants | Prize Pool | Champion | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov. 2007 | £3,150 | 198 | £594,000 | Mike Ellis | £197,600 |
| 2 | Nov. 2008 | £3,150 | 184 | £552,000 | Paul Foltyn | £167,050 |
| … | … | … | … | … | … | … |
The legacy of the GUKPT Grand Final stands strong, with the upcoming event poised to extend this rich tradition.
Conclusion
The 2024 GUKPT Grand Final promises to be an unforgettable experience for players and spectators alike. With its attractive guarantees, diverse schedule, and the exciting change of venue, this year’s event is anticipated to capture the essence of competitive poker in the UK. Poker enthusiasts should mark their calendars and prepare for a thrilling series of tournaments as they await the crowning of the next champion. Will you be among them?
