After years of hearing my poker friends rave about it, I finally attended the Grosvenor Goliath in Coventry, UK, last week. I’m excited to share my first-hand experience with you!
What is the Grosvenor Goliath Poker Tournament?
The Grosvenor Goliath first launched in the UK in 2011 with the mission of offering a low buy-in event with a massive field. Since its inception, the Goliath has lived up to its promise, with the 2023 event setting a record of 11,493 entries and a staggering £1.37 million prize pool.
After a two-year break during COVID, Grosvenor Casino made it clear that this iconic UK poker event would return bigger and better. They were right—the 2022 Goliath saw 10,584 entries, with the biggest ever first prize winner, Kyle Jeffrey, taking home £200,000 from a £150 buy-in.
And to no surprise the Goliath 2024 broke all records again with a massive entry of 11,749 entries and a prize pool of £1,879,840!
Will Watkins Wins Record-Breaking Goliath
Grosvenor Goliath 2024 Poker Tournament Information
This year, there was some concern about whether a £200 buy-in increase would affect participation. Grosvenor Casino partnered with PokerStars to run satellites leading up to the event. Here are the key details for Goliath 2024:
| Venue | Grosvenor Casino, Coventry |
| Buyin | £200 |
| Starting Chips | 25,000 |
| Dates | 27th July – 4th August |
| Day 1 Flights | 8 (A-H) |
| Day 2 | 3rd August |
| Day 3 | 4th August |
| Entrants | 11,749 |
| Prizepool (Prize for 1st) | £1,879,840 (£166,070*) |
*ICM deal was made between final nine players.
Our Experience at the 2024 Goliath
Joining me for my first Goliath was my son, Kai, who had never played a live poker tournament before. With a £200 entry fee, I thought this would be a great way to introduce him to live poker without breaking the bank.
We decided to play the final Day 1 on Friday, which we were warned could be the busiest day for entries—and it was! Friday saw over 2,000 entries, with an atmosphere similar to a WSOP Colossus event.
We had already signed up for Grosvenor Casino memberships at our local casino, so when we arrived at 10 a.m. for the 11 a.m. start, there was only a short queue to get in. After checking in, we received our wristbands and were ready to go!
Getting to the Venue
The Grosvenor Coventry Casino is located in the Coventry Building Society Arena, home to Coventry City Football Club and Wasps RFC. The venue is easily accessible from the motorway, and I was pleasantly surprised by the ample, free parking. The arena is also accessible by train, with a station just outside and a short walk to the casino entrance.
The Venue
The casino is situated inside the Coventry Building Society Arena. After checking in through the main entrance, a couple of escalators lead you down to the main casino floor, which is spacious and filled with table games and slots. The cash games were located just off the main floor, and though we didn’t play, I heard from friends that they were lively and full of action.
The main Goliath tournament area was well-organized, with clear signage, plenty of space, and large screens displaying seat and table numbers.
The Goliath Atmosphere
Playing on the busiest Day 1 flight, G, the atmosphere was electric. The excitement in the air reminded me of lower buy-in events at the WSOP in Vegas, like the Colossus. The Goliath truly felt like the WSOP Main Event for UK low-stakes players, with a massive field full of UK locals dreaming of making a deep run.
The Food and Drinks
The food and drink options at the Goliath were excellent. A bar and food hall in the middle of the event area offered a variety of choices, with plenty of seating. As the designated driver, I appreciated the free hot drinks and soft drinks for all players. The bar service was quick despite the large crowd, and the food options included freshly baked pizzas, burgers, nachos, hot dogs, and a selection of sweets.
We had lunch at the food hall, which we enjoyed, but there’s also a retail park next to the arena with additional food options.
The Poker
The poker itself was as expected—a 25k starting stack with 30-minute levels. The field was mostly recreational players, many of whom were UK locals. I recognized several faces from the UK poker circuit and saw many dealers from other events. The atmosphere at the tables was friendly, with players sharing hand histories and bad beat stories.
This year’s Goliath also featured satellites through both Grosvenor Poker and PokerStars, allowing players to qualify for as little as £5. Many players I spoke to had won their entries this way, contributing to the record turnout.
Unfortunately, my Goliath experience ended after a few hours, but my son Kai managed to stay in for most of the day. I was grateful to the players at his table for helping him with hints and tips, as it was his first live event.
The Players
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of play. While the field wasn’t pro-heavy, the standard of play was good, with minimal tanking or time-wasting. Grosvenor’s team of pros participated, and I saw a few familiar faces from other local events. The Goliath is a fantastic opportunity for low-stakes players to experience a well-organized poker festival.
Final Thoughts of the 2024 Goliath
After leaving the Goliath, I can honestly say we both had a fantastic experience. The venue was easily accessible, registration was straightforward, and the casino’s facilities were more than adequate for the massive crowd.
For any UK poker players, I highly recommend marking the Goliath on your calendar each year. It truly is the WSOP Main Event for UK low-stakes and recreational players. The atmosphere is fantastic, and the players are friendly and helpful, especially for first-timers.
The Best Parts About Our Time at the Goliath
- Friendliness of the players – The UK poker community is thriving, with friendly vibes and helpful players, especially for newcomers.
- Professionalism of the staff – All the staff were polite and courteous, despite the long, tiring week. Everyone from tournament directors to bar staff had smiles on their faces, adding to the positive experience.
- Quick registration time – Registering online was a smart move, as the Friday flights were very busy. The Goliath allowed re-buys, and the alternate lists moved quickly.
- YouTube and Twitch coverage – Grosvenor did a great job with their online coverage of the Goliath. The commentary by The Tower and Jay was top-notch.
- Location – Coventry is a perfect location for the Goliath, centrally located and easily accessible by road, rail, or plane. The casino’s size and the adjacent retail park with free parking were impressive.
The Worst Part About Our Time at the Goliath
- Registrations and re-entries – The only downside for some might be the long registration lines. However, the staff handled the massive crowd efficiently. Pre-registering and getting a Grosvenor Casino membership beforehand is highly recommended.
- Busting too early – On a personal note, I wished I had lasted longer in the tournament, but my priority was ensuring my son had a great first-time live poker experience, which he did.
Be There for the 2025 Grosvenor Goliath!
So, will I be making the trip to Coventry again next year? Absolutely! The entire Goliath experience was great, and I plan to bring the rest of my family, including my wife and daughter, to potentially play their first live poker festival.
There are also many other events during the festival, like the ladies’ event and the GUKPT Main Event. I hope Grosvenor continues its partnership with PokerStars and offers more satellites for Goliath 2025. The festival is sure to grow even more in the coming years.
A big shout-out to all the staff involved in organizing such a key event in the UK poker calendar. I highly recommend the experience to players of all levels—it’s a great way to make new friends in the UK poker scene and catch up with old ones you’ve only met online before.
