2009 Irish Poker Open Kicks Off Thursday
Over the same period in which the 2009 US Open Golf Tournament takes place, we also have the 2009 Irish Poker Open.
The Paddy Power Irish Poker Open is the longest running No Limit Texas hold 'em poker tournament in Europe and second longest in the world after the World Series of Poker.
First organized in 1981 by Terry Rogers, a well known Irish bookmaker, the tournament is Europe's largest and a fixture on the international poker calendar. It is traditionally held over Easter weekend each year.
Since Terry Rogers death in 1999 the tournament, originally held in Dublin's Eccentric Club, has been hosted by tournament director and poker player Liam Flood and the Merrion Casino.
The Irish Poker Open 2007 Main Event had a guaranteed prize pool of €2 million - twice the €1 million guarantee of 2006 but with a then-European record 708 players the prizepool swelled to more than €2.3 million.
The final table of six was made up of four Irishmen, an Englishman and a Canadian. The winner, Marty Smyth took home the €650,000 first prize after a two hour heads up battle against World Poker Tour and European Poker Tour winner Roland De Wolfe. Successful online player Sorel Mizzi from Toronto finished third ahead of Irishmen Danny McHugh (4th), Brian O'Keeffe (5th) and Nicky Power (6th).
The Irish Poker Open 2008 was held at Citywest Hotel, Dublin and a field of 667 took part in the main event. Notable players included poker legend Doyle Brunson, Todd Brunson, Sorel Mizzi, Roland De Wolfe, Padraig Parkinson, World Series of Poker bracelet-winner Ciaran O'Leary, Dario Minieri and dozens of other poker professionals. Paddypowerpoker.com added €200,000 to the prize pool, which took it past the €3 million mark.
English poker pro Neil Channing won €801,400 and the Irish Open title after defeating local favourite Donal Norton of Tipperary heads up. Norton took home €420,000 for his 2nd place finish. Thomas Dunwoodie finished in 3rd place ahead of Tim Blake (4th), Kai Danilo Paulsen (5th) and Edwin Tournier (6th).
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Source: www.wikipedia.com
