The Irish Poker Open was one of Europe’s first live events hit by COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 and, one year on, it’s still being affected.
Although there’s hope COVID vaccines will help return life back to normal in the first half of 2021, Irish Poker Open organizers aren’t taking any chances.
With the prospects of hosting a live tournament over the Easter holiday slim, the action will take place online for the second time.
Partypoker to Host 2021 Irish Poker Open
Partypoker stepped into the breach once again and will host the entire festival on its platform. The action will start on March 29 and, if the 2020 Irish Poker Open is anything to go by, there will be more than €5.5 million to play for.
The full schedule is being worked out as we speak, but the €1 million guaranteed main event will take center stage once again.
The inaugural Online Irish Poker Open attracted 2,945 players to smash its guarantee. Brazil’s Pablo Brito Silva beat Andras Nemeth heads-up to claim the title and €462,099. By that measure, the Irish Poker Open was a success. In fact, so have Partypoker’s other live to online converts.
The Irish Poker Masters wrapped up last week with Will Kassouf winning the main event. The outspoken Englishman qualified for the €1,100 online main event via a €109 satellite and won €215,163 after beating Manuel Ruivo heads-up.
Irish Craic Could Go Live in 2021
The 2021 Online Irish Poker Open will continue what’s been a successful reaction to COVID-19 restrictions by Partypoker. However, the organizers haven’t given up hope of returning to Dublin’s Citywest Hotel at some point.
Marketing director, Vadim Soloveychik, said that players are missing the “buzz” and “thrill” of Europe’s longest-running live tournament. As such, there are plans to run a second edition of the Irish Open in 2021, COVID-19 permitting.
That’s a big if right now. Ireland has been in and out of what are proving to be ineffective lockdowns for much of 2020.
Various sectors will be forced to close after the festive period, and there’s little certainty as to when things will return to normal. Partypoker and the Irish Poker Open team aren’t willing to wait for clarity this time around.
The festival will take place online and players will have to hope they can enjoy the craic inside Citywest Hotel at some point later in 2021.
