Benny Glaser, one of the UK’s most successful poker players, is heading back to the Irish Open next week for another stab at the Main Event title. Glaser, who holds multiple poker records, was runner-up in the Irish Open High Roller in 2019 as well as running deep in that year’s Main Event.
Still only 33, Glaser has an extraordinary track record – both in live poker and online. He has won four bracelets at the World Series of Poker – more than any other UK player – and also holds the record for most online wins in the PokerStars’ two Championship of Online Poker series. He has 15 victories in all, a phenomenal haul which includes seven SCOOP victories and eight WCOOP titles (four of them from last year alone).
Glaser’s WSOP bracelets include winning two Omaha High-Low Split titles in the same week in 2016 for a combined £650k. His winnings from live tournaments total more than $6,500,000. No surprise then that PokerNews have even debated whether Glaser is the UK’s Greatest player of all Time.
At the 2019 Irish Open, Benny Glaser was heads-up against Max Silver in the High Roller – a star-studded event which attracted 84 entries. A list of the finalists shows just how competitive and prestigious that year’s High Roller was, with the likes of Patrice Brandt, Andy Black, Marc McDonnell, Keith Johnson, Orjan Skommo, Dan Wilson and Ankit Ahuja all taking their place on the final table. Silver won the tournament for €45,130 with Glaser snagging €29,565 for his runner-up finish. He then went on to enjoy a deep run in the Main Event, finishing 21st for €11,500.
In advance of next week’s event, Glaser said: “I like that the Irish Open is generally a fun and sociable atmosphere. People aren’t taking it too seriously. As well as the event still having some history. As far as results go, I’ve had one or two fun moments. Getting heads-up against Max Silver in the 2k HR last time was very fun. And having a deep run in the Main event that year, with playing on the feature table too.”
Off the felt, Glaser has also had a good time at the Irish Open, particularly jumping into the commentary booth after busting the Main. He added: “That was a particularly hilarious commentary experience, with Picasso (Andrew Hedley) and Firaldo (Niall Farrell). Firadlo decided to really go “taps aff” ie topless. That was quite a sight to behold. What a specimen that man is.”
One of the reasons why Glaser has decided to compete at this year’s Irish Open is that he has a ton of friends also attending, including former Irish Open champion Ian Simpson, Dominik Nitsche (who was fourth at last year’s High Roller), Team PokerStars Pros Fintan Hand and Ben Spragg, UK Open High Roller champion Gary Thompson and PokerStars commentator Nick Walsh.
For his 2023 return, Glaser is planning to compete in quite a few events as well as the Main. He said: “I’ll play the high rollers and this time there’s a €1k PLO I might play too, and possibly something else if I’ll have time. The €350 Heads-Up actually sounds like a fun one! I’ve never played heads-up live before, and I enjoy heads-up. Hopefully, I’ll have some good runs in events and make a final table, and have some fun too whilst I’m at it.”
Pic credits: Mickey May
