It may not come as a surprise, but it still hits you when it happens. We knew the Irish Poker Open was going to draw massive fields. The long list of online qualifiers was a pretty good forecasting tool for predicting another record year.
But ultimately, it all comes down to the numbers when late registration closes shop. And so here we were, with poker tables flooded with players of all backgrounds: first-timers, recent regulars, longtime veterans.
They all contributed to this proud moment as the oldest-running European poker festival announces a new attendance record:
4,548 entries
That’s a spectacular achievement. And it takes a deep breath or two to let it sink in. Someone will eventually walk out champion, with the elusive title and outstanding six-figure prize money, having defeated the largest field in history. There will be more than €4.4 million in prizes (the distribution will be introduced on day 2).
Those working in the media are privileged to observe this spectacle from the balcony. It’s a fascinating perspective. Looking down at the seemingly endless lines of the green-felt tables, with no empty chairs around. This is live poker at its finest.
It’s a world-class setting for a world-class get-together. And yet another poker room was opened next door just a couple of days ago to help facilitate the demand. It’s hard to imagine a better venue than the Royal Dublin Society for an event of these proportions.
Combine that with the illustrious history… and here’s the incredible feeling. If you’re into sports, you know exactly what kind of feeling — the one similar to walking around a big stadium that reveals something remarkable has happened inside — in its majesty and robustness.
If you like poker, that’s how you feel here. The Irish Poker Open sparks that intense emotion; slightly intimidating, immensely fascinating. Being part of something that spans generations feels almost mythical, but also very real when you realize the growing success.
It makes one express utmost respect for the past and present, for the timeline starting with the pioneers and leading to the contemporary heroes (and including everyone along the way). The walls, the tables, the logos, and the people… they tell a story of a major event with eternal memories.
It is fitting that — on this day when the Irish Open writes another record chapter — the entire poker room paid tribute to Colette Doherty, Irish poker legend, who died in February. Doherty won the inaugural Championship in 1980 and helped ignite a love for no-limit hold’em here in Ireland and beyond. She will remain a huge part of this Irish Open’s achievement as well as any future ones.
Every chip-shuffle in the massive tournament hall emphasizes her legacy. Just think of the numbers and history. How many players from the current field were born after he’d claimed the first title?
The longevity of this event and its upward trajectory are both fascinating components of the story that continues to develop. What remains unchanged is that everyone participating follows in the footsteps of Doherty and other legends who helped create this mammoth.
A mammoth that’s now reached status, which shows that a €2.5 million guarantee is really only a placeholder number. It was always going to be bigger this year, and everyone working at the Irish Open appreciates the customers’ interest, trust, and loyalty.
We don’t know (yet) how many players in the record field are older than the festival itself. What we do know, though, is that they took a shot at the title by sitting down at one of the 270 poker tables prepared for the 45th edition.
It takes an exceptional effort to make it all happen. With that in mind, it feels even more rewarding to see that all the manhours led to building a record-breaking setting.
It’s also very comforting to observe that this massive floor plan still allowed the logistics department to leave room for spacious corridors between the tables. Where else can you compete with thousands of people and not feel claustrophobic?
Just have a look at the before & after photos and you’ll get the picture…
