Grosvenor Casino Coventry Goliath

The Goliath Main Event falls on the second weekend, with only one starting day for the two-day £125, £100,000 guaranteed unique tournament. And for the grinders, there’s a Goliath ‘Player of the Series’ Leaderboard, with £2000 in added prizes for the most consistent players over the whole Festival, ranging from £30 tickets for 8-10th to £1000 worth of tournament tickets for the top. This year Goliath will be bigger and better including everyone’s favourite events plus some new additions such as the Grosvenor UK Women’s Poker Championship (GUKWPC) and Grosvenor UK Master Poker Championships: ages 50+ (GUKMPC). Register at Grosvenor Casino Coventry or at your local casino for only £100 + £25. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing casinos to shut down around the world, however, Grosvenor Casinos came up with a way to still offer players the chance to play in the Goliath this summer. The ensuing series, named the National Online Goliath 2020, offered 15 different tournaments at affordable buy-ins, ranging from £5 to £560. An introduction to Katie Swift Grosvenor's Poker pro who is taking part in Goliath 2019 the biggest live poker tournament outside of the USA. With the British government stopping casinos in the UK from reopening due to COVID-19, Grosvenor has made alternative arrangements. Their plan is to host the Goliath online.

The £100,000 guaranteed Goliath shuffles up and deals online at Grosvenor Poker on August 8. That date can’t come soon enough for the British poker community, especially those players who represent Grosvenor as sponsored pros.

We caught up with Jeff Kimber, Joe Beevers, Katie Price, Rick Trigg, Andy Hills, and Jamie Nixon and quizzed them about the upcoming event. It goes without saying this sextuplet of stars can’t wait to his the Grosvenor Poker virtual felt and battle it out in the online edition of the Goliath.

The Goliath’s attendance has increased every year it has been run and everything pointed to it hitting 10,000 entries this year. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put paid to live poke for the foreseeable and many operators, Grosvenor Poker included, have taken their live events into the online arena. It’s obviously disappointing for those who love live poker, but the Team Grosvenor pros are quite philosophical about the change.

“Coventry was fast running out of space,” said Joe Beevers. “I’d like to think it’s natures way of giving Grosvenor an extra year to plan for the huge success Goliath 2021 is undoubtedly going to be.”

Play in the £100K Goliath for only £0.25

Live Specialist Looking Forward To Returning To His Roots

Andy Hills thrives in the live poker world and has cashes in 31 different countries, the fifth-highest total of any poker player ever. He’ll miss the atmosphere of the live setting the most.

“Obviously I love live poker, and the atmosphere at the Ricoh is electric. I’ll miss the buzz and the mass congregation of poker enthusiasts from all over the country. However my roots are online, and getting to play the event on Grosvenor Poker is the next best thing. It will be the first year since Goliath’s inception where we don’t see an increase in numbers, but I believe it will be the best circa-£100 tournament of the year online. We’ve already seen incredible numbers in the side events and I reckon the Main will exceed its guarantee.”

Jaime Nixon is the polar opposite, he grinds countless hours online while streaming his play at Grosvenor Poker. He admits moving such a huge event online is not what he expected, but he plans to make the most of a difficult situation.

It’s a Weird Situation and a Weird Time

“It’s a weird situation and a weird time we’re in at the moment but I’m loving the fact that it’s gone online. It’s been seen that moving these events has been hugely successful so far and who knows how many will playonline. I stream on Twitch for Grosvenor and it gives me an opportunity to stream for more players who wouldn’t usually be online if it wasn’t for Goliath.”

Rick Trigg specialises in onlinepoker tournaments so Goliath Online is right up his street.

“I think moving online is great for a change of pace, plus we get to see what these live guys have got when it comes to online”

Shots fired from Trigg! Let’s hope he outlasts his teammates this week!

The history of the ever-growing Goliath

Kudos to Grosvenor

Jeff Kimber believes the Goliath is the closest you can get to a bustling Amazon Room at the WSOP in Vegas without leaving the country. While he’s disappointed not to be spending a week in Coventry (I don’t think anyone has ever said that previously – Ed), Kimber is delighted to be able to play a whole week of tournaments culminating in a huge Main Event.

“Kudos to Grosvenor. They took the decision early enough that their flagship event just wouldn’t be possible and went about setting up a whole week of onlinepoker, headlined by the Goliath Main Event with a £100K guaranteed for a £125 entry. There won’t be 10,000 entries, but there will no doubt be over 1,000 and it’ll be great.”

Katie Swift finished second in the 2015 edition of the Goliath and, rightly so, has mixed feelings about switching online. Swift says she’s most excited about the new opportunity created by Grosvenor Poker who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to create a schedule for pros and recreational players alike. Swift was quite philosophical when asked about Goliath switching online.

“Obviously there is some disappointment felt that the live Goliath as we know and love it had to be cancelled, especially for what would have been an amazing 10th year anniversary celebration. For me, I adapt pretty well in tough situations, so embrace any new challenge positively. Zero point thinking of what might have been and wasting energy. Best to just focus on the present and embrace it positively.”

Swift Favourite For Glory Among Team Grosvenor Pros

All the team Grosvenor members are gunning for glory and the several of them believe if they don’t take down the event it will be Swift who does.

“I’d put my money on Katie Swift,” said Jamie Nixon, “She’s got the experience of a Goliath final table and will be looking to improve on her best result.”

Grosvenor Casino Coventry Goliath Arena

Beevers mirrors Nixon’s thoughts, but Swift believes Trigg has the best chance of glory out of the stable of pros.

“He’s an online beast! Relentless, fearless powerful, and a natural pure talent at the tables.” High praise indeed.

Four Big Winners in Goliath Side Events

Don’t Count Anyone Out

Hills believes every Goliath entrant has a chance of walking away with the title because the structure rewards patience, skill, and adaptability.

“Don’t count anyone out. I can’t stress enough that everyone has a chance in the Goliath.”

Remember how Trigg fired a few shots broadside earlier, Kimber got in on the banter too. After highlighting the credentials of his teammates, Kimber couldn’t help having a sly dig at them.

“My other teammates are definitely among the toughest opponents I’ll be up against this Goliath, but I’ll like nothing more than knocking one of them out!”

One of the features that stands out when you look at the Goliath Main Event in any details is its superb structure, especially when you consider the tournament only costs £125 to enter.

Both Beevers and Trigg believe the event has “an amazing structure for a £100 buy-in” with Trigg unable to contain his excitement about jumping in and getting involved. Swift calls the structure “an absolute luxury”, while Kimber said, “Starting blinds of 100/100, half-hour clock, 25K starting stack and two days of play, it’s a poker player’s dream!”

Swift Looking To Become The First-Ever Female GUKPT Main Event Champion

All the Team Pros we chatted with were unanimous is stating winning the Goliath Main Event would be a career highlight. Nixon, who is streaming the event with Phil “The Tower” Heald, is super-keen to get the Goliath title under his belt.

“It would be insane, totally insane. To win such a prestigious tournament would be the highlight of my career so far!”

Nixon’s thoughts were echoed by Trigg who said, “it would be a dream come true, especially being a sponsored Grosvenor player.”

Kimber has been sponsored by Grosvenor for the past 11 years and has won several Grosvenor events, each one being special to him. Triumphing in the Goliath Main Event would rank right up there with the best of Kimber’s results.

Grosvenor Casino Coventry Goliath Reviews

“If I was to win Goliath, Grosvenor’s flagship tournament, it would be right up there with my World Heads-Up and GUKPT titles, I’ll certainly be trying my best to make it happen.”

Winning tournaments is something Hills is used to, “it’s one of the best feelings in the world” according to him. He wants a trophy if he takes down this £100,000 guaranteed event.

“Do I get a trophy? I think there’s a trophy. Please can I have an oversized cup that says I slayed the Goliath?” We hope so, if not, we’ll make you one out of cardboard here at PokerNews HQ!

Whoever wins the Goliath Main Event will go down in poker’s history books. If that player is Swift, it’ll be doubly special.

“Grosvenor are still waiting to crown a female champion in any of their GUKPT or Goliath Main Events. I felt sure it would happen this year during the tour to be honest. It’s simply a matter of time. I came close in 2015 when I finished runner-up to Miikka Toikka, so to go one better and win this inaugural Goliath Online Main Event would feel like a dream.”

Five-Figure Goliath Score

Why Wouldn’t You Play The Goliath?

There are £100,000 reasons why you should be playing in the Goliath online Main Event, but don’t just take it from us. Get involved in this remarkable event, especially if you’re on the fence about playing or trying to win your way into the tournament.

“GO FOR IT! I remember being on the fence about whether to re-enter in 2015. I listened to my sister’s advice, went for it and ended up over £46k richer as a result!” said Swift. “Satelitte qualifiers are by far the best route and they start from as little 25p. I won thousands through this route. It completely takes the pressure off your play. You wont regret playing it, but you’d regret missing it.“

Hills and Kimber also advocate hitting up the many value-packed satellites running at Grosvenor Poker.

“If you’re going to play one £100 comp this year, make it this one. It will be your best shot at a big score, and a great experience getting in the mix with the whole spectrum of ‘newbies’ through to pros. If you haven’t qualified yet, get on Grosvenor Poker and get grinding the satellites,” said Hills.

Kimber added, “I’d say if you can afford it, go for it, if you can’t afford to buy in for the £125 entry, try some satellites to win a seat and get involved, you really can win a seat for £1 in the flip tournaments, or turn 25p into a £5 token into a £125 seat, either direct or via a £30 stage.”

Satellites aren’t the only way into this event eight. According to Nixon, you should consider selling a percentage of yourself to friends or family. “This reduces your variance and allows you to play one of the most prestigious tournaments of the year as well as winning your mates loads of money!”

The Goliath is a unique tournament that isn’t only frequented by the game’s elite. Kimber pointed out that with the exception of Florian Duta, who won the event in 2018, the majority of Goliath’s winners have almost all been considered recreational players.

This was confirmed by Beevers, who said: “Onlinepoker these days can be tough. I get why some people may think it’s not for them any more. Goliath is different though. It’s not just full of regs, it’s fun, the standard is amateur, it’s people enjoying themselves online like they were in the early 2000’s, people even chat in the chat box and you don’t usually see that these days. Join in, play, the buy-ins are low, you’ll love it!.

Some great advice and insight there, but what it all boils down to is you can make a lot of money for a relatively small buy-in.

“It’s easy to say why you should play in the Goliath Main Event,” said Trigg. “A hundred quid to enter that you can turn into a five-figure score. Why wouldn’t you play?”

Why wouldn’t you indeed.

The Goliath Main Event kicks off at exactly 4:00 p.m. BST on August 8 and continues through until 1:00 a.m. before being paused. Play resumes at 2:00 p.m. BST on August 9 and the cards and chips keep flying until one man, or woman, has alll the chips in play. That player will become the first-ever champion of the Goliath Online Main Event. Will that champion by one of the Team Grosvenor stars or will it be you? We don’t have long to wait to find out.

You can almost hear those giant footsteps that mean only one thing….GOLIATH IS COMING!

For those who’ve somehow missed the buzz created by this mammoth poker tournament and festival over the past six years, let me describe Goliath as this – it’s the closest thing to playing the World Series of Poker I’ve ever witnessed without being in Las Vegas.

Even including the World Series of Poker Europe there’s such a buzz at the Goliath that it’s the number one tournament I want to play every year in the UK.

This year’s Goliath Festival (remember while the Goliath is on there’s a whole festival of side events to play too) runs from July 30 to August 7 this year at the glorious Grosvenor Casino at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

If you’ve never been to this casino, I can safely say you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

The Grosvenor Casino at the Ricoh Arena is the closest thing I’ve seen to a Vegas casino in the UK, with it’s indoor waterfalls, palm trees and sumptuous finish.

With a starting stack of 25,000 chips, a 40 minute clock throughout and three days of poker split over a week, it’s without doubt a great tournament and the best thing is, it needn’t break the bank to get involved. At just £100 + £20, the Goliath is the best value tournament around.

You get EPT standard dealers, the fantastic GUKPT tournament staff ensuring things run smoothly, and a shot at winning over £70,000 for the cost of an average night out (at least if you live in London).

Just let that sink in….more than two years’ wages for the average person if you can come first while having the time of your life playing cards in Coventry having ponied up just £120!
What’s more, if taking £120 out of the monthly budget is a bit much, there’s plenty of cheaper ways into this poker feast.

Goliath is a great tournament for poker amateurs to win big money, take a look at our How To Play Poker guide to give yourself the best chance possible at defeating the pros!

Grosvenor Poker Online is now on the Microgaming Poker Network, and while everyone gets used to moving across and downloading the new software, there’s bound to be some overlay and value as they have guaranteed a massive 350 seats.

The satellites have been set up to give away more seats than the online team are projecting will play, just to make sure those that do give it a spin get some value and some overlay. You can’t say fairer than that!

There’s at least 20 seats guaranteed online EVERY NIGHT now as the Goliath approaches, and on Thursday (the day before the big kick-off) there’s 30 seats guaranteed.

Last year IT professional Mikka Toikka took down the biggest title of his career, winning the Goliath for £70,800, beating Katie Swift heads up. Katie took home £46,300 for her runners-up spot.
Since his win, Mikka has been playing a lot more live poker, cashing in two GUKPT Main Events, and making the final table of the WPT National at DTD for another $32k score.

Strategy- So how should you take on Goliath in Coventry in 2016?

Here’s how: enjoy the fantastic structure and use it to your advantage.I saw a hand last year literally five minutes after we’d started where two players had more than half their stacks on preflop.

I was convinced it must be aces v kings, but when the ace flopped and one guy decided to abandon ship, he folded pocket queens face up. The lady who won the pot showed he was behind, having caught the ace to send her AK into the lead.

Grosvenor Casino Coventry Goliath Hotel

In tournaments this deep, it’s much better to keep pots small preflop and not gamble unless you need to. I don’t think it’s the worst idea to not three-bet at all preflop before the antes, just calling and deciding if you want to play a big pot after you see a flop.

A lot of people will tell you with premium hands like aces in the early stages of tournaments you either win a small pot or lose a big one – don’t let the pot size get out of control and you should be okay.

You’ll find a massive range of players at Goliath, from first time players to those who have won millions.

I found myself on a table last year with WSOP bracelet holder Lawrence Gosney, and in between us was a guy playing his first ever live tournament.

If you’re new to poker, don’t be afraid, jump on in, the water’s warm. The vastly experienced tournament staff and dealers will look out for you and are your friends at the table – if you’re not sure if the action’s on you, if you’re facing a bet or anything else, just ask the dealer ‘Is it on me?’, ‘How much to me?’, ‘Is there a break soon?’, ‘Am I the big blind’ or anything else.

You’ll find the mixture of players at Goliath come together to form a fantastic atmosphere, tables have lots of fun as well as playing some poker. You might find it easier to get chips off the guy playing his first game than Lawrence, so keep an eye out for those spots where you might be able to increase your stack.

Away from the Goliath, there’s plenty of side events to keep you busy.

The festival starts on Thursday July 28th with a special National 25/50 tournament that actually has a guarantee of £50k, whilst replicating the popular 25/25 format. Other side events include a 4/5/6 PLO comp, a tag team tournament, and the massive value in the “Joker is Wild” event, which has Grosvenor lives seats, a £1k honeypot and plenty of extra added value brought to you by the good folks at Grosvenor Online.

You can only register for the Jokers Wild online, so make sure you get that software downloaded and bought in early, they’re literally giving money away. While you’re there you may as well play one of the many Goliath sats and take up the best poker welcome offer on the internet, just by depositing a minimum of £25 and following the instructions on our Poker page.

If you prefer cash games, there will be cash games as far as the eye can see for all budgets. Just ask! There will even be a special high-stakes streamed event, keep your eyes on social media for how to participate.

Last year’s Goliath was the biggest ever live poker tournament held outside of Las Vegas, with 4210 runners creating a prizepool of £421,000, smashing the £250k guarantee.
This year Grosvenor are aiming for 5,000! I wouldn’t put it past them either, Goliath is huge and getting bigger every year. Make sure you’re part of it by qualifying or booking your place now.

Grosvenor Casino Coventry Goliath Review

Comments

comments