Pip Arthur has become the first player to win an illustrious trophy at the Irish Open 2025. He bested a field of 158 entries to claim first place, which following a three-way deal earned him a total of €11,080.
We approached Arthur for an interview following his victory.
“I don’t do all this shit,” he said, before agreeing to answer a few questions. But Arthur didn’t like the sight of the voice recording app. “You’re not recording me,” he laughed gesturing at his pint, “what am I going to do, talk a load of shite?”.
This was Arthur’s first trophy after he finished second in another senior event in Malta. He’s a fairly casual player who enjoys playing poker for fun and was keen to spend a little change at the bar following his win.
Arthur quietly positioned himself among the chip leaders at the final table and started to gain steam after his kings held to bust Nameghi Moussavi in fourth place.
Shortly after Moussavi’s bustout, the top three players, Pip Arthur, Mohamed Namir and Paolo Pacciano, all agreed to a three-way split, taking €5,000 each and leaving €6,080 for the overall winner.
Namir was personally responsible for knocking out nine out of the last 16 players and it looked like he was on an unstoppable and almost inevitable rampage that would see him take the top spot. Not to be. Arthur was behind when he got his chips in against Namir’s pocket tens, but the board ran out to counterfeit his pair and Arthur claimed the pot to send him to the rail.
Pacciano stood up and embraced his opponent. “From the beginning,” he said as him and Arthur hugged it out. Then, it was back to their seats and back to business.
After a few minutes of heads-up play, Arthur raised the button and Pacciano shoved from the big blind. Arthur called and rivered a straight to win the pot, the tournament, and the first Irish Open trophy of the series.
The popularity of the Super Seniors Championship bodes well for the two upcoming Seniors tournaments, the €1,150 Seniors High Roller Championship (April 17-18) and the €250 Seniors (April 21).
Super Senior Championship Final Table Results
1. Pip Arthur, United Kingdom, €7,780
2. Paolo Pacciani, Italy, €4,840
3. Mohamed Namir, Ireland, €3,460
4. Nameghi Moussavi, France, €2,660
5. Martin O’Rafferty, Ireland, €2,050
6. Michael Healy, Ireland, €1,570
7. Ronald Hickey, Ireland, €1,280
8. Wilhelmine Connolly, Ireland, €1,070
9. Aidan Finnerty, Ireland, €890
