Anyone Can Win the Irish Open Now. Here's How

Every spring, Dublin comes alive. Crowds of tourists flock to the National Botanic Gardens and Iveagh Gardens, and stroll over to Poolbeg Lighthouse. Some head to authentic pubs like The Long Hall or the Victorian-era Swan Bar, while others seek out excitement in all its forms. It is for them that every spring the Royal Dublin Society in Belsbridge hosts the grand Irish Poker Open: 250+ poker tables, the buzz of voices, the smell of coffee mingling with whiskey. But nothing goes to your head quite like a big win — a Royal Flush, a Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, or a Full House.

Highlights of the Irish Poker Open

In 2026, the Irish Poker Open celebrates its 46th anniversary and runs from March 26 to April 6. The schedule looks impressive: there are now 86 tournaments (17 more than last year), three guaranteed prize pools exceeding €1M each, and a cash zone with 50 tables running non-stop. The battle for the massive prize pool will be epic:

- Luxon Pay Mystery Bounty — €1,000,000 guaranteed, kicking off the festival on March 26.

- Main Event — €1150 buy-in, €2,500,000 guaranteed. March 29 through April 6.

- Mini Irish Open — €250 buy-in, €1,000,000 guaranteed, 14 starting flights — a festival record.

Do you remember what an ordinary student did at the poker table in 2025, literally becoming a poker god?

Flashback to 2025 — a €600,000 win

In the spring of 2025, Simon Wilson, a young student at Trinity College Dublin, won €600,000 with an €1150 buy-in at the Irish Poker Open. He simply sat down at an RDS table and beat 4500+ players in the Main Event final. You’ll be shocked, but back then the prize pool soared to €4 447 950 — an unprecedented display of generosity from Ireland!

It's a prime example of how the country's entertainment and leisure culture is changing — read more into what's unfolding across Ireland and a clear picture emerges: bold, experimental formats are reshaping leisure as we know it.

What on earth is going on here? Trends

Testing their nerves and putting their wallets to the test — that’s the main mission for tournament participants. This year, a new event is joining the lineup: Kings & Queens. It will literally feature a “battle of the sexes,” with men and women competing on equal footing.

The battle will also pit generations against each other. Old Dogs and Young Pups is a tricky duel between players over 50 and those under 30.

Organizers also launched a separate festival for deaf players. Die-hard fans should check out the new Mixed 8-Game High Roller. This event marks the first mixed high roller in the history of the Irish series. Here, players prove their mastery across all disciplines — not just Texas Hold'em.

The first-ever Ladies High Roller matches that energy. It provides women a platform to play high stakes in a comfortable setting.

Today, the Irish Open is Europe’s largest PLO event: 10 Omaha tournaments with buy-ins mostly up to €1000. Ireland is more generous than ever.

A massive ladder from €1 to the main table

The Irish Open satellite system is exactly how Chris Moneymaker transformed the WSOP in 2003: he invested €80 and walked away with €2.3M, changing the industry forever. The 2026 Irish Open takes it even further.

Over 30 satellites within the festival—buy-ins ranging from €120 to €610, with unique formats. The path to victory is clear and as simple as possible: microsatellite → qualifier → Main Event package. Players start with just a few euros and, with a smart strategy, make their way to the RDS table.

Live Poker vs. Online

In today’s world, online poker is incredibly convenient, comfortable, and even profitable. But only a live poker room can truly capture the vibe of these tournaments. The Irish Open is in a league of its own. Guests and participants listen to live music in the background, take part in the competition firsthand, soak up the legendary Irish atmosphere, and remember this event forever.

Anyone could be sitting next to you at the table: a TV star, a famous actor, a sports coach, or, on the other hand, a poor student, a Scottish online qualifier, or a college buddy.

Tournament organizer Paul O’Reilly gave the clearest definition of this tournament: The Irish Open is always deeper and bigger than just a card and a chip. It has long since become an annual celebration adored by European gambling enthusiasts. They are ready to live every minute of the two-week tournament, even if they start with just €10 in their pocket.