Will Watkins Clinches Record-Breaking Grosvenor Poker Goliath Title After Thrilling Nine-Way Deal

Although the buy-in of the Grosvenor Poker Goliath is only a modest £200, it is nonetheless highly regarded in the center of the UK poker industry. Players from throughout the United Kingdom and beyond swarm Coventry, England, each year to participate in what is generally agreed to be one of the best-value competitions.

Though the buy-in rose by £50 this year, the tournament drew a fantastic 11,749 entrants, generating a £1,879,840 prize pool. This record-setting figure highlighted the ongoing popularity and expansion of poker in Britain when the entry record was exceeded three consecutive times.

Known among friends as one of the best pub poker players, Will Watkins traded his regular beer-soaked sessions for the big stakes and brilliant lights of Grosvenor Casino in Covent Watkins proved extraordinary ability and tenacity. To become the champion of this year’s activity, Atkins resisted a determined Gilbert Black, who launched a strong comeback during the heads-up phase in a tense last clash. Watkins took first place; Steven Ricketts came in third place.

2024 Grosvenor Poker Goliath Final Table Results

Justin Tsui gains the GUKPT Main Event Title in Coventry and £100,000.

Highlights of the Final Day

There were thirty-six players left in the Goliath competition on day three. After slightly over five hours of fierce play, the field was reduced to the final table bubble. Zhivko Zhikov battled elimination with Big Slick against Gilbert Black’s pocket nines. Zhikov was eliminated and unable to improve, preparing the ground for the final table.

The nine-handed final table started, and then long talks followed. After much thought, the players decided to have a nine-handed ICM ( Independent Chip Model) chop, each player keeping a share of the prize money according to their chip total. The last of the play was directed at choosing the trophy winner and champion. While other finalists landed rewards ranging from £55,580 to £91,655, the chip leaders Black, Watkins, and Ricketts left with six-figure amounts.

With his ace-king failing to connect on a pivotal three-way all-in, James Hearty , holding the middle stack, suffered significant losses, allowing Ben Miller to quadruple up and Alexandru Abalasei to grab the side pot. Brown was forced all-in in the next hand with a nine-three and dropped by Ricketts’s ace-ten.

Ricketts kept moving, knocking off eighth-place Lance Connolly. Watkins then made his presence felt, eliminating his first final-table opponent. His ace-king beat Alexandru Abalasei’s ace deuce, cutting the field to six players.

Qualified online for just £5, James Hearty had a fantastic run, finishing sixth and making £91,655. Eliminated in fifth and fourth place, respectively, were Reece Ling and Ben Miller. Miller’s week was noteworthy since his £55,580 from the Goliath added £40,000 from a solid performance in the Mystery Bounty event.

With three players left, Watkins had a dominating chip advantage that only got better as he knocked Ricketts. Ricketts was sent to the rail in third place after his ace-queen failed to surpass Watkins’ ace king. Though Black’s resilience was evident as he managed two double-ups to level the stacks, Watkins entered the heads-up round with a substantial chip edge over Black. Black held Q♦9♣ while Watkins was holding A♣K♣ at the last hand of the tournament. Black ran out Q♠J♣, giving Black two pairs, but the A♠ on the turn enabled Watkins to finish a Broadway draw, producing a stunning river card, J♠, which gave Watkins a better two pair and guaranteed his win.

Watkins said in a post-win interview his surprise: “I’m a bit lost for words or a £200 buy-in; this is a transforming sum of money. Not anything else like it exists. Discover Grosvenor Poker’s products, including qualifying for big UK live events, GUKPT, 25/25, 30/30, and the Goliath. Grosvenor Poker remains a significant player in the poker scene, with over thirty cardrooms and home to the National Poker League.