The Irish Poker Open is back, with a new €500,000 guaranteed side-event to go with the €1 million guaranteed Main Event that smashed Irish poker records this year.
The dates for the 2024 edition of the PokerStars and Paddy Power sponsored festival were announced today, with cards in the air from March 25 to April 1 at the Royal Dublin Society in Ballsbridge, Dublin.
Europe's longest-running NLH event
This year's running of the long-standing event - Europe’s longest-running NLH tournament, dating back more than 43 years - saw Scotland’s David Docherty bag the Main Event trophy. The PokerStars qualifier topped a record-breaking field of 2,491 entries to scoop the title and €365,000 first prize.
Next year’s Main Event is a €1,150 buy-in with a €1 million GTD. Three opening flights run daily from March 27-29, followed by days two-to-four over the long weekend from March 30, with the winner crowned on April 1.
Brand new Mini-Irish Open
The packed schedule features dozens of tournaments with varying buy-ins, and a new €200 buy-in, €500,000 guaranteed Mini-Irish Open.
That’s the biggest guarantee for a €200 buy-in in Irish poker history and the tournament will run from the festival’s opening day on Monday March 25, with nine opening flights. The Mini-Main final table will play out alongside the full Main Event showdown on April 1.
Event organisers Paul O’Reilly and JP McCann stated: “We’re excited to announce the dates for next year’s Irish Poker Open and delighted to confirm that, yet again, we’re joining forces with PokerStars and Paddy Power.
“This great partnership gives players all over the world the chance to compete at the Irish Open and also brings a host of other benefits – not least the spectacular entertainment area which offered action-packed fun all day long at this year’s festival."
Side events and new cash game area
The rest of the events offer PLO Mystery Bounties, multiple live satellites to the biggest events, as well as the Liam Flood memorial Turbo, a tribute to the much-loved "Gentleman" of Irish poker.
In addition to the stacked tournament hall, a whole new dedicated cash game area is being created for next year’s event. IPO organisers have also introduced a new automated registration system to reduce queues and waiting times.
Full details of the 2024 PokerStars/PaddyPower Irish Poker Open can be found here.