Poker Tournaments Guide in the UK
Poker is back in style, as user activity at online platforms has surged this past year. Juggernaut Flutter Entertainment reported that the 2020 net revenues of its product grew by 17% compared to 2019. Other gambling sites posted similar spikes in interest. Thus, while poker may not be at the level it once was during the mid-2000s boom period, it remains the preferred card option for most players. The UK is no stranger to it, as proven by its offer of live tournaments listed below. Note that many of these may not take place at physical venues in 2021.
The Grosvenor UK Poker Tour
Created in 2007 by Grosvenor Casinos, this is one of the oldest tournament series in the country. Online satellites are available via the official Grosvenor Casinos site, and you can find live feeds ahead of a stop at your local casinos. For the uninformed, satellites are qualifying events that can be land-based and online. Read reviews of poker sites to see which ones offer them. The Grosvenor Tour usually takes place from January to December in about ten major UK cities. The typical buy-in for its events is £1,100. However, you can also find many with an entry fee of £550. The cheapest one of the bunch is usually the Goliath in Coventry, which features a buy-in of only £120.
The PokerStars European Poker Tour London
The main event of the European Poker Tour London is the most prestigious poker happening in the UK. The EPT began in 2004, and since then, its London event usually takes place in either September or October. It is only one part of the EPT’s festivities in the Square Mile, as the tour boasts many side-events in the £100 – £3,000 range. However, the main event has a buy-in of £5,000, so it is a high-roller affair. There are satellites for it, but there are none for most of the side-events.
The Genting Poker Series
The Genting Group is one of the most established gambling brands in the UK. Founded in 1965 by Malaysian entrepreneur Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, it boasts 46 casino locations in Britain. Its poker tour began in 2012, and the company usually runs it between February and December, making stops in six to nine cities. However, in 2020 there were plans to expand its calendar to feature sixteen events, including four main competitions. The typical main event buy here is £400, and you can qualify via digital poker rooms on Genting’s website. Nottingham-based poker pro Julian Thew is a former winner, and Ross Boatman has made it to the final.
Update: Genting has announced they will no longer host poker tournaments as the pandemic lock-down took a toll in their business model.
The Amateur Poker Association and Tour.
The Amateur Poker Association and Tour, or APAT for short, is the largest organization of recreational poker players in Europe, boasting a player pool of over 20,000 members. Founded in 2006, all of its tour events utilize a standardized rule-set with blind structures that aim to provide value. They announce all tour dates on their website and stream their events live. Brands such as Betfair, Blue Square, William Hill, Coral Poker, and Grosvenor Casinos have sponsored it. Its usual main event buy-in is only £82, yet it generates a prize pool of over £10,000. APAT has run online satellites before for some of their more noteworthy events. However, due to the overall cheapness of their tournaments, there are rarely any on-the-ground satellites. It does have an online league that enthusiasts can partake in and test their skills against other amateur players.
The PokerStars UK and Ireland Poker Tour
Launched in 2009, The PokerStars UK and Ireland Poker Tour has the highest attendance in the country. It also often ranks as the best-run show in the UK. It does not have a fixed schedule. In the past, their events usually ran from December to October. Nevertheless, that has changed year-on-year. Its events carry a buy-in of £1,100, and the prize pool here often grows over one million pounds. Since PokerStars is its sponsor, as expected, satellites are available. Players can qualify for events via internet play for as little as £5. Know that this tour has a higher-than-average reg-to-fish ratio. However, its big fields give good value.
About the Author
Shelly Schiff has been working in the gambling industry since 2009, mainly on the digital side of things, employed by OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos.com. However, over her eleven-year career, Shelly has provided content for many other top interactive gaming websites. She knows all there is to know about slots and has in-depth knowledge of the most popular table games. Her golden retriever Garry occupies most of her leisure time. Though, when she can, she loves reading Jim Thompson-like crime novels.
