Partypoker has resumed its partnership with the Irish Open ahead of the festival’s to Citywest Hotel for the first time in two years.
News of the Irish Poker Open’s return broke at the end of January and followed the announcement that COVID restrictions in Ireland will be gradually removed over the coming weeks.
Now, with the schedule set, Partypoker has announced it will sponsor the series and host a variety of online satellites ahead of the April 11 start.
Irish Open popular for over 35 years
The Irish Open is Europe’s longest running poker event. It was first organized by famous Irish bookmaker and poker player, Terry Rogers, in 1980. It quickly became a hit with locals and travelling players alike.
Irish gambling company Paddy Power became the headline sponsor in 2005 and oversaw its first sustained period of growth. When the event’s partnership with Paddy Power ended in 2016, attendance figures were down.
However, the downturn was more a symptom of the poker industry as a whole, rather than the Irish Open or its previous sponsor. Industry insiders Paul O’Reilly and JP McCann knew this, which is why they took a gamble on the series in 2017.
They took ownership of the Irish Poker Open and made a number of changes, including the addition of more affordable tournaments. The main event’s buy-in had previously been reduced from €3,500 to €2,250 in 2013, but O’Reilly and McCann reduced it further.
Partypoker reinvigorates Irish Open
With the new buy-in set at €1,150, the pair signed a deal with Partypoker in 2017. As the new sponsor, Partypoker helped promote the event and hosted a series of online qualifiers. This relationship reignited interest in the festival.
In fact, the partnership proved pivotal in 2020 and 2021. With COVID-19 forcing live poker events to find a home online, the Irish Open took place on Partypoker. Now, with COVID restrictions lifting in Ireland, Partypoker will resume its role as sponsor and purveyor of affordable qualifiers.
Phased satellites are already underway and start at €0.01. The Centrolls run on a daily basis, but players can enter at any phase, up to and including the €109 Sunday Final. As well as satellites for the Irish Open main event, Partypoker is helping to run a selection of low-cost side events.
The Irish Poker Open is always one of the liveliest festivals on the calendar. However, with Partypoker back onboard and the action returning to Dublin’s Citywest Hotel for the first time in two years, it’s going to be better than ever
