Friend of the Irish Open Darren Chow certainly made the most of his first ever trip to Ireland. Not only did he cash twice during the Irish Open festival but he then headed straight down to Cork to compete in the Irish Deaf Poker Championships and chopped the €130 Main Event.
Chow, a garden landscaper by profession, is also an accomplished poker player who has now racked up more than $21,000 in live tournament cashes. The 40-year-old from Toronto first took up poker in 2004 when the entire National Hockey League season was cancelled owing to a labour dispute. Bereft of watching his favourite sport, Chow looked for an alternative hobby – and found poker!
At the Irish Open, Chow finished 384th in the record-breaking Main Event for a €2,020 pay-out and also snagged another €960 with a 223rd finish in the €200 Mini Irish Open Championship Event.
Then it was on to Cork for the Irish Deaf Poker Championships with the Main Event attracting 146 entries, creating a €19,500 prize pool. Chow was up against some tough competition and was delighted with his runner-up finish for €2,200 following a four-way deal.
He said: “I have been to loads of big tournaments including the WSOPC in Canada and the WPT in Las Vegas and I think the Irish Open is one of the best festivals I have ever experienced. I had such a good time. I met so many new faces and it was my first time playing at tables with professional players like Vanessa Kade and Joe Stapleton. I was also on the live stream on Day 2 with PokerStars Team Pro Fintan Hand and Irish poker legend Andy Black.”
Chow is now en route to Las Vegas to play the $600 Mystery Bounty at the Wynn followed by the WSOPC at the Playground in Montreal. He will also be working closely with Irish Open organisers Paul O’Reilly and JP McCann over the coming months with the aim of hosting a major tournament for Deaf players at next year’s Irish Open. Several Deaf players competed at this year’s Irish Open including a player from Spain and two local cash game players.
To watch Laura’s interview with Darren Chow during this year’s festival, please click here.
