Irish Open gets underway today
20th March, 2008
The Irish Open - Europe's largest and oldest poker tournament - kicks off today in Dublin.
Terry Rogers started the world-famous series in 1980 at his Eccentric Club, though the venue later became the larger Citywest Hotel as the Open grew in popularity and began attracting international competitors.
Last year's tournament saw some 708 high-stakes players battle it out, including a number of top American players such as Mike Sexton, Phil Laak and Jennifer Tilly.
Further strengthening its international reputation, poker luminary Doyle Brunson recently confirmed he will be taking part in the 4,200 euro buy-in Texas Hold'Em main event.
The series also serves as an ideal springboard for many of Europe's finest players, while its cult status among internet-based gamers has led to a flurry of online poker operators issuing Irish Open prize packages.
Paddy Power Poker will this year be sending some 73 online amateurs to the event - 64 of whom qualified via its low-stakes satellites - while Titan Poker has provided seats to 18 further gamers.
Northern Ireland's Marty Smyth was last year's Irish Open main event winner, bagging the 650,000 euro (£507,000) first prize.
Poker Alerts bringing you the latest poker news
By Elena
