As UK Poker players went through January with no official word on the 2009 GCBPT schedule there was much speculation as to the future of the series, confirmed last week with the news that GCBPT has been cancelled for 2009. The decision appears to be based on the impact of Gala of the recession.
This is disappointing news for many with the GCBPT, with £500 buy-ins at its main events in 2008, a tour that bridged the large gap between the GUKPT with £1000 main event buy-ins and the many tours for "recreational" players with sub £100 buy-ins such as APAT, Sky Poker Tour and Virgin festivals for example. The GCBPT events were widely regarded as softer than the GUKPTs with a higher proportion of inexperienced players participating and the tour offered considerable added value via added money and tournament seats.
At first glance it is odd to see the recession cited as the primary influence behind the cancellation of the tour. After all the events in 2008 sold out quickly reflecting a real demand for £200-500 buy-in events. However this is to reckon without both the costs of promotion, operating the tour and the added value at a time when many of Gala's core gaming businesses are suffering difficult trading and also it is suggested that there was far less "cross-over" to Gala Poker's online Poker operations through running a tour.
Meanwhile, The GUKPT Summer Series is pitched at precisely the GCBPT level. Three four-day festivals with £200 and £300 side events and a £500 main event - all two day events. They all take place in June - starting in Bolton, then Aberdeen and finally Walsall with GUKPT ranking points and Champion of Champions event seats on offering all events.