Record-Breaking Irish Poker Open 2025: Shattered Records and Skyrocketing Prize Funds
Jumpin' Jackpot: Into the Irish Poker Open's Mind-Blowing Figures
The dust has settled after the Irish Poker Open, but the number crunching is still reeling us in. Despite projections of a €10 million prize pool, the game went off with a bang, raking in a staggering €14,799,206!
Over seven-plus-dozen tournaments, 26,474 entries were cast. The Main Event alone, though, stole the spotlight, with a whopping 4,562 entries shattering previous records, and obliterating the originally advertised €2.5 million guarantee.
Here's a quick breakdown of the Main Event's awe-inspiring statistics:
- €4.45 million Main Event prize pool
- 41% year-over-year growth in attendance
- 1,231 online qualifiers from PokerStars and iPoker
- 194 online qualifiers cashed in the Main Event
- €1.04 million won by online qualifiers in the Main Event
Emerging victorious from the labyrinth of card deals were players from the United Kingdom (26%) and Ireland (28.1%), followed by the US (4.4%) and Germany (3.7%), and Canada (3.5%).
An impressive 1,200-plus players grabbed their tickets through online qualifiers hosted by PokerStars, Paddy Power, and iPoker. Online qualifiers also made a significant impact at the final table, with three of them earning spots. UK's Brandon Harris, Greece's Panteleimon Pontos, and Romania's Robert Fluereci each took home impressive winnings, with Brandon Harris earning the largest prize of €100,000.
The Irish Poker Open didn't just set new records, it smashed them. Compared to last year's 3,233 entries, this year's Main Event saw a 41% year-over-year increase in entries [2]. Other tournaments on the festival also brought high numbers, such as the €250 Mini Irish Open (6,411 entries), the opening event (1,222 entries), and €5,000 NLH High Roller (8-Max) (147 entries).
EPT Monte Carlo… Where the Magic Begins
The vibrant, iconic destination of Monte Carlo now grabs the poker world's attention, as the European Poker Tour (EPT) kicks off with a bang. EPT's long-standing history in Monte Carlo dates back to 2004. This year, with the spectacular Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop, it marks the 20th EPT anniversary in the Principality.
From April 30 to May 10, EPT Monte Carlo takes center stage at the renowned Sporting Monte-Carlo, starting with the €1,100 PokerStars Open Main Event, followed by the €550 PokerStars Cup (May 2-3) and the €2,200 PokerStars Open High Roller (May 3-5).
EPT's elite €100,000 Super High Roller fires up from May 3-5, followed by the €25,000 PLO High Roller (May 4-5). The crown jewel, the prestigious €5,300 EPT Main Event, unfolds from May 4-10, and other highlights include the €3,000 EPT Mystery Bounty running from May 6-8, and the €25,000 EPT High Roller wrapping things up from May 8-10 [3].
[1] https://www.pokerstarslive.com/news/irish-poker-open-2025-main-event-results/[2] https://www.pokernews.com/tours/european-poker-tour/irish-poker-open-2023-main-event-draws-record-4-562-entrants/[3] https://www.mond취 centers.com/en/events/pokerstars-live/ept-monte-carlo/[4] https://www.pokerstars.co.uk/poker/online-qualifiers/
- The Irish Poker Open, impressively surpassing its projected €10 million prize pool, ended up with an astounding €14,799,206, making it one of the most successful poker events.
- The Main Event of the Irish Poker Open saw a whopping 4,562 entries, a significant 41% year-over-year increase over the last year, and smashing the originally advertised €2.5 million guarantee.
- Online qualifiers played a significant role in the Irish Poker Open, with 1,231 players from PokerStars and iPoker, and over 1,200 players from Paddy Power, securing their seats to the casino-games extravaganza.
- UK's Brandon Harris, Greece's Panteleimon Pontos, and Romania's Robert Fluereci were among the online qualifiers who made it to the final table and won impressive winnings, with Brandon Harris taking home the largest prize of €100,000.
- As the Irish Poker Open sets new records,attention shifts to the European Poker Tour (EPT) in Monte Carlo, where sports-betting enthusiasts can also enjoy various gaming options, apart from poker, at the casino-and-gambling venue.
