Every year, a huge number of Canadians pat down their feathers, pack their bags and fly over to Ireland for their favourite poker event of the year. More reliable than a flock of geese, the Canucks are lured by something they treasure beyond measure – the Irish “craic”.
What started as a trickle has become a full-blown migration. Since the first Canadians made “landfall” in 2016, the number of Canucks who attend the Irish Open has been growing every year. Ten years ago, it was just a smattering; by 2024, it was 57 and last year it was 87 – around 4% of the total field in the Main Event.
For a €1,150 tournament more than 3,000 miles from home, that’s quite a commitment.
So what’s fuelling this extraordinary transatlantic loyalty? For Canadians, it is ALL about the “craic” – reuniting with old friends, making new friends, diving headfirst into the nightly mayhem of the Craic Den and, of course, playing poker.
Raph Verdugo from Montreal calls it “the world’s biggest home game”. He’s played every year since his first attendance in 2016 when he “happened” to be passing through Dublin for work. He said: “I have had so many great experiences at the Irish Open but nothing tops the banter and the shenanigans as well as the chance to compete against players from all over the world. The tournament is so welcoming from start to finish, the entertainment is amazing, and the Craic Den is off the hook. As Canadians, we love the Irish way of life and the Irish Open festival is a great way to enjoy the very best that Ireland has to offer.”
Another early Canadian ‘pioneer’ was Elizabeth “Lucky Lizzie” Bennett-Martin. She also made her Irish Open debut ten years ago after Dublin-based TD Nick O’Hara told her about the festival during the PCA. Now, like so many Canadians, Lizzie wouldn’t dream of missing the Irish Open. She said: “My favourite moment has to be winning the 2023 Ladies Event – that was awesome But learning how to play the Irish drinking games in the Craic Den has had me doubled over with laughter. The Craic Den is legendary!
“I always tell everyone I know that they will LOVE the Irish Open and have the time of their life, and they do, and so they keep coming back. It’s the atmosphere; everyone associated with the event is so friendly and the welcome to new players (and the welcome back to regulars) is so heart-warming. The overall experience is phenomenal every single year and it always gets better!”
Of course, the Canadians have had plenty to cheer about on the felt, too. In 2017, Toronto’s Griffin Benger soared to victory in the Main Event, banking €200,000 and sending his travelling rail into raptures. These days he returns as a live stream commentator – but the connection runs deep.
He said: “They were hugely supportive during my run. They come every year and just really love the balance of good fun and beautiful location that Ireland provides.”
RecPoker’s Jim Reid is a more recent convert to the Irish Open – his first trip was only three years ago – but he’s on track to become one of the festival’s most ardent Canadian devotees. He said: “On the felt, I think making the final table of the 2024 6-max probably takes the crown, but off the felt: jeez, every night in the Craic Den has something to offer! The entire ‘off-the-felt’ experience of the trip is just a collection of highlights: meeting all sorts of amazingly welcoming and gregarious people, exploring Dublin and the surrounding area, competing in pub games and drinking WAY too many pints of Guinness – it’s just a really friendly and fun time, all the way along.”
In 2026, the Canadian contingent will be even stronger thanks to a “festival within a festival” for Deaf players. More than a dozen Deaf Canadian players are already registered including Vasyl Dmytryshyn, Jorge Tello and Edward MacKey; they all won $2,000 CAD packages in a series of live satellites in Toronto organised by Irish Open Ambassador Darren Chow.
This year’s Irish Open is taking place from March 26 to April 6 at the Royal Dublin Society and once again the Canadians will be out in force. Safe travels to everyone winging their way across the pond. We’ll see you in the Craic Den!!
