The UK Poker Championships (UKPC) Masters has already dealt plenty of excitement at Dusk Till Dawn (DTD) Nottingham, but the festival’s crown jewel is still to come. On September 4, cards go in the air for the £560 buy-in, £500,000 guaranteed UKPC Masters Main Event, which promises to draw another massive field to the UK’s premier poker venue.
Earlier this year, the UKPC Main Event smashed its guarantee when more than 1,300 players built a prize pool exceeding £639,000. That event ended with Jake Betts banking a career-best £85,270 after a heads-up deal with David Lloyd, who himself secured £83,730. With momentum on its side, the September edition is expected to go even bigger.
How to Play the UKPC Masters Main Event
The Main Event features four Day 1 flights, with players able to re-enter and carry forward their best stack:
- Day 1a – Sept. 4, 12:00 p.m. BST
- Day 1b – Sept. 5, 12:00 p.m. BST
- Day 1c – Sept. 6, 12:00 p.m. BST
- Day 1d (Turbo) – Sept. 6, 7:00 p.m. BST
Day 2 kicks off on Sept. 7 at noon, before the champion is crowned on Sept. 8.
For those outside Nottingham, there’s an online Day 1 flight on GGPoker running Sept. 2 at 8:05 p.m. BST. Survivors from that session will bag chips for Day 2 live at DTD. Players can fire multiple flights, but only their largest stack carries forward.
Golden Chip Promotion – Extra Value on the Line
DTD has sweetened the pot with its Golden Chip promotion.
- Earn a Golden Chip by reaching Day 2 through an online Day 1 at GGPoker or by buying into a live flight using DTD Bankroll.
- Make the final table of the Main Event while holding a Golden Chip, and you’ll win a £1,100 WSOP Circuit seat on top of your cash payout.
This added incentive gives grinders another reason to take multiple shots at the £500K guaranteed prize pool.
Qualify with Pennies via DTD Bankroll
One of the most exciting aspects of this festival is the ability to qualify using DTD Bankroll, a flexible currency earned through satellites at GGPoker.
- Start for as little as £0.01 in centrolls.
- Advance through £5.50 Phase 1 satellites.
- Reach the weekly Tuesday Final, where at least 10x £560 DTD Bankroll seats are guaranteed.
Once you have DTD Bankroll, you can spend it in different ways. Buy directly into the £560 Main Event, or split it across side events like the £280 Warm-Up and £120 PLO, keeping some balance for another tournament later.
UKPC Masters Remaining Schedule
| Date | Time (BST) | Event | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 2 Sep | 8:05 p.m. | £560 Main Event Online Day 1 | £500,000 |
| Wed 3 Sep | 1:00 p.m. | £280 NLHE Warm Up Day 1c | £100,000 |
| Wed 3 Sep | 5:00 p.m. | £280 NLHE Warm Up Day 1d | £500,000 |
| Wed 3 Sep | 5:00 p.m. | £1,100 NLHE High Roller 7-Max Day 1 | £50,000 |
Why the UKPC Masters Main Event Stands Out
- Affordable entry, big prize pool: For just £560, players get a shot at a £500,000 guarantee that is likely to be smashed.
- Multiple paths to qualify: From online flights to 1p satellites, there are options for every bankroll.
- Added value: The Golden Chip and WSOP Circuit seat bonus create more reasons to chase the final table.
With momentum from previous editions and a proven track record of surpassing guarantees, the 2025 UKPC Masters Main Event is set to be one of the year’s unmissable live tournaments.
