The 2024 Irish Poker Open Starts Next Week

The countdown has begun for the eagerly awaiting 2024 Irish Poker Open, set to unfold next week at the prestigious Royal Dublin Society. Everything is ready for eight days of non-stop poker action, and this year’s festival is slated to be another great festival showcasing poker talent, camaraderie, and generally famous Irish “craic.” 35 events are scheduled from March 25 to April 1, including eleven Championship trophy events waiting for their new owners.

Since its inception in 1980, the Irish Poker Open has been a synonym for Europe’s poker excellence, and the Main Event remains the festival’s crown jewel. This year, the Main Event boasts a €1,150 buy-in and a €1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool, running over six days starting Wednesday, March 27, with Day 1A.

Last year’s champion, David Docherty, returns as one of the bookie’s favorites alongside other poker stars such as Steve O’Dwyer, Dominik Nitsche, Dara O’Kearney, Niall Farrell, Benny Glaser, and Parker Talbot.

The festival kicks off with a bang on Monday, March 25, with the Mini Irish Open. The €200 buy-in event features an impressive €500,000 guarantee and, with nine starting flights, including unlimited re-entries, is expected to break records. The new Mini champion will be crowned on the same day as the Main Event champion, as the final days of both events will run alongside on Monday, April 1.

Among the other anticipated highlights are the Heads-Up Championship on Tuesday, March 26, capped at 64 players with a €350 buy-in and expected to be an easy sell-out event. The festival also includes The Hendon Mob Championship, a staple in the poker festival circuit, and the €350 America’s Cup Championship on Wednesday, March 27, a tribute to the North American players who make their journey across the pond to attend one of Europe’s biggest poker festivals.

The €250 Ladies Championship, a fixture of the Irish Open since 2008, saw Canadian Elizabeth Bennett-Martin claiming victory last year. This year’s festival will also feature two High Roller events with buy-ins of €3,000 and €5,000, along with increasingly popular Mystery Bounty events, catering to both No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha players. Each variant will have two events with buy-ins set at €550 and €1,100.

For those still looking to secure their spot, last-minute satellites offer a final chance to qualify for this prestigious event, check out for more info here.

The Irish Poker Open continues to be not just a tournament but a festival where legends are forged. As Europe’s longest-running poker event, it remains a beacon for those who dream of etching their names alongside the greats in poker history.

2024 Irish Poker Open Full Schedule

* Images courtesy of Irish Poker Open