Irish Poker Open

First organised in 1980 by Terry Rogers, a well known Irish bookmaker,[1] the event now attracts thousands of players every year and has become a major fixture on the international poker calendar.

It is traditionally held over the Easter weekend and prides itself on its friendly atmosphere, wide range of different poker tournaments and the chance for players to have fun, enjoy the craic and sample some of Dublin's legendary hospitality.

The event, sponsored by PokerStars and Paddy Power, was held at the Royal Dublin Society from April 3–10 [3] with more than 622 players winning their entry online.

"[5] Always one to spot an opportunity Rogers cemented his relationship with Binion and his band of high-rolling players by taking bets from them on the outcome of the games, offering the type of long odds the Americans had never seen before.

"Guys like Benny Binion, Doyle Brunson and Chip Reese really held Terry in high esteem," states World Series of Poker bracelet winner and former Irish Olympic swimmer Donnacha O'Dea.

Stud and draw were the poker variants of choice in Ireland but the new variation he'd seen in Vegas, no-limit hold'em, beat them all for excitement and skill.

"[5] The Irish Open fell into abeyance in the early 1990s as Terry concentrated on nursing his mother through ill health.

Terry's annual trips to Las Vegas and the success of the first Irish Open led to the US players he had befriended at the World Series of Poker repaying their debt of gratitude for his generous bookmaking services by making a rare excursion from their home soil to play in Ireland in 1982 and 1983.

"Those years he had Tom McEvoy, Jack Keller, Stu Ungar, Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese, and Perry Green from Alaska.

Successful online player Sorel Mizzi from Toronto finished third ahead of Irishmen Danny McHugh (4th), Brian O'Keeffe (5th) and Nicky Power (6th).

[6] The Irish Poker Open 2008 was held at Citywest Hotel, Dublin and a field of 667 took part in the main event.

English poker pro Neil Channing won €801,400 and the Irish Open title after defeating local favourite Donal Norton of Tipperary heads up.

Thomas Dunwoodie finished in 3rd place ahead of Tim Blake (4th), Kai Danilo Paulsen (5th) and Edwin Tournier (6th).

A larger-than-expected field of 700 played in the main event, including famous faces such as Phil Laak, Jennifer Tilly, Neil Channing, Marty Smyth, Andy Black, Jamie Gold, Dan Harrington, Juha Helppi, Roland De Wolfe and Ciaran O'Leary.

[9] Swedish poker professional Christer Johansson won the title and €600,000, with Kara Scott finishing in second place for €312,600.

A field of 708 played in the main event, including such celebrities as Irish soccer hero Tony Cascarino, former Manchester United star Teddy Sheringham, rugby legend Reggie Corrigan and former snooker world champion Ken Doherty.

Twenty-year-old Englishman James Mitchell won the title and €600,000 first prize, with Paul Carr from Limerick finishing in second place for €312,600.

[12] The 2013 Irish Open Main event saw the past year's fourth-place finisher, Ian Simpson, take first place, and a prize of €265,000.