The paddypowerpoker.com 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 1980 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.
paddypowerpoker.com began sponsorship of the event in 2005 and has overseen the huge growth in the tournament in the last number of years. By 2006 the event, with 339 players, had outgrown the Merrion Casino and was held in Jury's Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin. In 2007 the venue was changed to the Burlington Hotel, Dublin to accommodate the bigger field, while in 2008 and 2009 the Irish Open venue was Citywest Hotel, Dublin. In 2010 the tournament returned to the Burlington Hotel.
The 2007 Irish Open Main Event was won by Belfast man, Marty Smyth who captured the title and the €650,000 first prize following a two hour heads up battle against World Poker Tour and European Poker Tour winner Roland De Wolfe.
The 2008 Irish Open Main Event was won by English poker pro Neil Channing, who won €801,400 after defeating local favourite Donal Norton of Tipperary heads up. Channing added £50,000 to his winnings by putting a £500 bet on himself at 100/1 with Paddy Power at the midpoint of the four day tournament.
The 2009 Irish Open Main Event was won by Swedish professional Christer Johansson, who won a €600,000 first prize. He beat British-Canadian Kara Scott after an entertaining heads up struggle.
The 2010 Irish Open Main Event was won by Englishman James Mitchell, who won a €600,000 first prize. He beat Irishman Paul Carr in a heads up battle where the chip lead was exchanged a number of times; Carr received €312,600 for his second place finish.
The 2011 Irish Open Main Event was won by Irishman Niall Smyth, who won a €550,000 first prize. He beat experienced Englishman Surinder Sunar heads up. Sunar received €290,000 for his second place finish.
The 2012 Irish Open Main Event was won by Belgian professional Kevin Vandersmissen, who won €420,000 for first prize. Vandersmissen beat German player Thomas Beer in heads up to take first place.
Read more about Irish Poker Open: Origins, Development, Relationship With The World Series of Poker, Irish Open 2007, Irish Open 2008, Irish Open 2009, Irish Open 2010, Past Winners
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