Eleven months ago, Ludovic Geilich took down the £1,000 Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) Edinburgh Main Event and walked away with £79,590. A year on, he became a two-time GUKPT champion after navigating his way through 206 opponents in the £1,250 GUKPT Blackpool Main Event. Next week, Geilich is gunning to join an elite group of players who have tasted victory in three GUKPT Main Event when he attempts to defend his GUKPT Edinburgh title.
Gelich recently put pen to paper on a Grosvenor Poker ambassador contract after returning to the live poker scene with renewed vigor. The popular Scotsman had relatively few scores in 2021 and 2022, mostly due to a change in attitude towards the game.
“I think as it was just after lockdown, I just got stuck playing online and didn’t get right back into live poker. That and the fact my overall volume has dropped over the past few years because I like to be a lot more flexible and decide when I want to play rather than forcing myself to play all the time.”
Will the GUKPT Goliath Continue Breaking Records in 2024? Full Schedule Released
Every poker grinder knows that having a deal with a poker room brings benefits and challenges, although Geilich mostly sees the positive side of sporting the Grosvenor Poker patch.
“It’s great to be patched up with Grosvenor. I don’t think it puts a target on your back because I’m well-known in the UK, regardless. Having a patch on won’t change my play or anyone’s play against me…I think! And yes, having X amount paid to you per year is great and I’m extremely grateful because only a tiny percentage of players get that opportunity.
Geilich has a solid record in Edinburgh-based tournaments, especially the GUKPT Edinburgh Main Event. He was the runner-up in 2021 and is the reigning champion going into the 2024 edition. Some players just shine brighter in certain venues; why does Geilich seem to turn on the magic in the Scottish capital?
“The most likely case is it’s only a short drive away, so there’s zero stress coming and going. Without the stress of traveling, you can focus on what’s needed most, and that is a fresh headspace for a long grind. Obviously, playing in that cardroom the most times out of all the Grosvenor Main Events probably subconsciously plays a part as you’re totally relaxed and at home; even though Glasgow is home, I’ve always enjoyed playing in Edinburgh more than Glasgow.”
Scotland’s Ludovic Geilich Takes Down GUKPT Edinburgh Main Event
I just play my game, and what will be will be. It’s hard to set goals in poker, as it doesn’t always work out
A successful title defense would mean Geilich joins Ben Winsor, Julian Thew, and Rick Trigg in the three-time GUKPT Main Event champions club. Although Geilich goes out to win every tournament he plays, he’s more than aware that Lady Luck will play a significant role in any success or lack of.
“I just play my game, and what will be will be. It’s hard to set goals in poker, as it doesn’t always work out! As long as you feel or know your play was correct in the long term, then that’s all that matters. If you win a trophy, it’s a huge bonus. Obviously, I’d be over the moon if I won a third title and was in with those guys. Fingers crossed, I can put myself in a position to have that chance.”
Geilich is guaranteed to be in Edinburgh for his title defense and had this to say to anyone currently on the fence about joining him in this or any other GUKPT event.
“If it’s above your average buy-in, make sure it’s not going to damage you in any way if you were not to get a return. Remember, you can always sell action to your friends to give them a sweat. Apart from that, these events are great to pop along to and soak in the atmosphere, which will prepare you for when the time comes when you do give it a go!”
Past GUKPT Edinburgh Main Event Champions
With the exception of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown all live poker, Edinburgh has featured on every GUKPT season since Season 8. Andrew Teng was the inaugural champion back in the days when the Main Event commanded a £550 buy-in.
The buy-in has increased over the years and the larger buy-in has coincided with larger fields. Last year’s GUKPT Edinburgh Main Event cost £1,000 to enter and saw 366 players create a £310,220 prize pool. You already know it was Geilich who emerged victoriously, doing so with the stop’s largest-ever top prize of £79,590.
| Season | Date | Buy-in | Entrants | Prize Pool | Champion | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Apr 2014 | £550 | 192 | £100,000 | Andrew Teng | £26,000 |
| 9 | Apr 2015 | £550 | 234 | £117,000 | James Mitchell | £33,930 |
| 10 | Apr 2016 | £550 | 184 | £100,000 | Tommy Le | £25,000 |
| 11 | Apr 2017 | £550 | 227 | £113,500 | Paul Green | £17,500 |
| 12 | Apr 2018 | £560 | 258 | £129,000 | Garry Stevens-Smith | £36,350 |
| 13 | Apr 2019 | £560 | 309 | £151,410 | Nathan Slater | £42,110 |
| 14 | COVID-19 | |||||
| 15 | Oct 2021 | £750 | 351 | £235,170 | Majid Iqbal | £61,220 |
| 16 | May 2022 | £750 | 390 | £261,300 | Gary Armstrong | £57,770 |
| 17 | May 2023 | £1,000 | 366 | £310,220 | Ludovic Geilich | £79,590 |
2024 GUKPT Edinburgh Schedule
The 2024 GUKPT Edinburgh festival runs from April 3-14 at the Grosvenor Maybury Casino. Among the eagerly anticipated events are the £1,250 buy-in Main Event, the £1,650 buy-in High Roller, the £550 buy-in GUKPT Cup, and the £250 Mini Main.
Check out the full event and satellite schedule in the table below.
