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Irish Open Blog

FAQ

What is the Irish Open?

The Irish Open is Europe's longest running annual poker tournament. Established in 1981 by incomparable bookmaker Terry Rogers the event has grown into the largest major poker tournament in Europe. Due to the tireless work of Rogers and current Tournament Director Liam Flood, the tournament has always attracted the top players in game.

How did the Irish Open start?

In the early 1980s Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar and Amarillo Slim all made the Easter pilgrimage to Dublin to compete against the best of the Irish. Many players who would go on to make huge names for themselves on the international stage cut their teeth at this event including Noel Furlong, Padraig Parkinson, Scott Grey, Donnacha O'Dea, Andy Black, Surindar Sunar. Mel Judah amongst many others.

How long has it been running?

The Irish Open has been running since 1981 making it Europe's longest running poker tournament and the second longest running in the world after the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Is it just one tournament?

No, the Irish Open is a whole festival of poker. The Irish Open main event is often referred to as "The Irish Open" but there is a full schedule of side events which take place throughout the week of the Irish Open.

What is the main event buy-in?

The buy-in for the 2010 Irish Open main event will be €3,200 + €300. See full schedule below for buy-ins for side events.

What is the Irish Open 2010 tournament schedule?

Date	Event	Buy In & Reg	Time
Thursday 1st April	Irish Open Super Satellite	€200 + €20	7:00pm
Friday 2nd April	Irish Open Main Event	€3,200 + €300	3:30pm
Saturday 3rd April	Irish Open Main Event Pot Limit Omaha Championship	Day 2 €750 + €75	2:00pm 6:00pm
Sunday 4th April	Irish Open Main Event Pot Limit Omaha Championship Ladies Championship €1,500 Freezeout	Day 3 Day 2 €300 + €30 €1500 + €150	2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
Monday 5th April	Irish Open Main Event (Final Table) Ladies Championship €1,500 Freezeout NLH Scalps	Day 4 Day 2 Day 2 €270 + €30 + €30	2:00pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 3:00pm

How big is the field?

The number of players taking part in the Irish Open has grown exponentially since paddypowerpoker.com began sponsorship of the event in 2005 when less than 200 players participated.

Irish Open 2006: 339 players
Irish Open 2007: 708 players
Irish Open 2008: 667 players
Irish Open 2009: 700 players

How do I reserve my seat for the Tournament?

There are 3 ways to register!

Qualify Online
Become the Sole Survivor on paddypowerpoker.com for as little as $2.
Register Online Now
Guarantee your seat at Europe's longest running poker tournament by registering online and sending in full payment.
Pay on the Day
Payment will be accepted on the 2nd April 2010, spaces permitting, at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.

How do I become the Sole Survivor?

Qualify for the Irish Open on paddypowerpoker.com
Outlast all other online PPP qualifiers in the Irish Open Main event
Win yourself a €100,000 package!

For full details visit: www.irishpokeropen.com/solesurvivor

What airlines fly to Dublin, Ireland?

Europe: Ryanair www.ryanair.com
Worldwide: Aer Lingus www.aerlingus.com
Domestic: Aer Arann www.aerarann.ie
UK: British Airways www.ba.com
Scandinavia: SAS www.flysas.com
US: Continental www.continental.com

Where is the Irish Open held?

The Irish Open 2010 will be held the Burlington Hotel, in the heart of Dublin City Centre.

For more information please visit: www.irishpokeropen.com/venue.

How do I get to the Burlington Hotel?

Directions from Dublin Airport

From Dublin Airport, there is a range of transport options available. Travelling times will vary, depending on traffic, but as a general rule, you should allow at least 40 minutes for your journey.

Busaras - 1.5 miles

Leaving Busaras, take a left to look onto the Custom House. Take a left and follow the road around to the right. Continue straight across the bridge, taking a left as you come off the bridge. Take the first right and continue straight through the traffic lights onto Westland Row. At the end of the street, take a left and an immediate right taking you to the north side of Merrion Square. Turn left at the lights and continue on onto Lower Mount Street. Continue straight through onto Northumberland Road, taking the first right onto Haddington Road. Continue onto Mespil Road with the canal on your right hand side. Take the last left before you reach the traffic lights, onto Sussex Road, and continue along for 400m. The hotel is located on the left hand side.

Connolly Station - 1.5 miles

Exiting Connolly Station, turn left along Amiens Street until you come to the traffic lights. Continue straight on across the bridge, taking a left as you come off the bridge. Take the first right and continue straight through the traffic lights onto Westland Row.

At the end of the street, take a left and an immediate right taking you to the north side of Merrion Square. Turn left at the lights and continue onto Lower Mount Street. Continue straight through, onto Northumberland Road, taking the first right onto Haddington Road. Continue onto Mespil Road with the canal on your right hand side. Take the last left before you reach the traffic lights, onto Sussex Road, and continue along for 400m. The hotel is located on the left hand side. A taxi should cost in the region of €7.

Dublin Airport - 8 miles

Exit the airport and take the M1 motorway towards the city centre. Just before the railway bridge on Drumcondra Road, take a left onto Clonliffe Road. Continue along East Wall Road which takes you to the East Link Bridge. Coming off the bridge take a right onto York Road, and at the end of the road take a right onto Bremen Grove.

Turn left onto Bath Avenue, then Haddington Road, reaching Mespil Road with the canal on your right hand side. Take the last left before you reach the traffic lights, onto Sussex Road, and continue along for 400m. The hotel is located on the left hand side. You can also take the Aircoach located just outside the arrivals hall. These drop you outside the hotel for a cost of €6. A taxi will cost up to €25.

Dún Laoghaire Ferry Port - 8 miles

Follow the signs heading for the city centre. As you pass through the Ballsbridge area, take a left off of Pembroke Road onto Upper Baggot Street. Take the fourth left at the traffic lights, taking you onto Mespil Road with the canal on your right hand side.

Take the last left before you reach the traffic lights, onto Sussex Road, and continue along for 400m. The hotel is located on your left hand side.

Heuston Station - 3 miles

Exiting Heuston Station, take a left across the river, and an immediate right along the quays. Continue all the way along the quays until you reach the Custom House. Then, take the right across the bridge, and taking a left as you come off the bridge. Take the first right, and continue straight through the traffic lights onto Westland Row.

At the end of the street, take a left and an immediate right taking you to the north side of Merrion Square. Turn left at the lights and continue on onto Lower Mount Street. Continue straight through onto Northumberland Road, taking the first right onto Haddington Road. Continue onto Mespil Road with the canal on your right hand side. Take the last left before you reach the traffic lights, onto Sussex Road, and continue along for 400m. The hotel is located on the left hand side. A taxi should cost in the region of €10.

Trinity College - 1 mile

From the front of the college, go left taking you onto Nassau Street. Continue straight on, along the northern side of Merrion Square, onto Lower Mount Street. Continue straight through, onto Northumberland Road, taking the first right onto Haddington Road.

Continue onto Mespil Road with the canal on your right hand side. Take the last left before you reach the traffic lights, onto Sussex Road, and continue along for 400m. The hotel is located on the left hand side.

How do I book my accommodation at the Burlington?

To avail of a special Bed and Breakfast rate of €69 negotiated by paddypowerpoker.com, please quote promotional code "IO 2010 - Irish Open" when booking your tournament accommodation.

Accommodation at the Burlington Hotel can be booked via:

Phone at 00 353 (0)1 618 5600 or
Email at reservations@burlingtonhotel.ie

Are there alternative Hotels in the Area?

Mespil Hotel - 3 star

Phone number: +353 1 488 4600
Website: www.mespilhotel.com

D4 Hotels - 3 star

Phone number: +353 1 668 4468
Website: www.d4hotels.ie

Hilton Charlemont - 4 star

Phone number: +353 1 402 9988
Website: www.hiltonhotel.com

Herbert Park hotel - 4 star

Phone number: +353 1 667 2200
Website: www.herbertparkhotel.ie

Four Seasons Dublin - 5 star

Phone number: +353 1 665 4000
Website: www.fourseasons.com/dublin

How do I qualify online?

Qualifiers have already begun running on paddypowerpoker.com and if you qualify with Paddy Power Poker you will automatically be entered into the Sole Survivor Promotion.

Need more information on Sole Survivor?
Visit: www.irishpokeropen.com/solesurvivor

How do I qualify in a live cardroom?

Cardrooms and casinos all over Ireland, the UK and Europe will be running satellites to the Irish Open. Venues hosting satellites will appear on this site under the qualify section as soon as their schedules are announced.

If you are a cardroom interested in running satellites, please contact:
irishopen@paddypower.com for more information.

If I can't make the event is there ongoing information on it?

Interested parties can keep up to date with all the latest Irish Open information by following the Irish Open blog. Regular updates will feature chip counts, photos and stories from the tournament floor and will be the next best thing to being there.

Can I bet on the Irish Open?

Individuals wishing to place a bet on the outcome of the Irish Open may do so on paddypower.com. Many markets, including outright winner, final table and group bets, will be available before and during the tournament.

Can I come to the Irish Open even if I am not playing it?

The Irish Open is famous for its party atmosphere and much of that atmosphere is created by the fans that come along to cheer their favourite players on. While certain areas within the tournament room are restricted to players only, all are welcome to come along to the Irish Open and experience the greatest poker show on earth.

I do not live in Ireland, is there a potential to wire money to the cage for use during the tournament?

Money must be sent NO LATER than Friday 19th March 2010.

Is there a place where I can find a list of Irish Open winners?

Yes, visit the History tab on the Irish Open homepage or click here to be directed:

Does the Irish Open have a blog?

Regular updates will feature chip counts, photos and stories from the tournament floor and will be the next best thing to being there.

Visit: www.paddypowerpoker.com/blog

Can I bring my significant other to the tournament?

Yes, the Irish Open invites people of all ages and offers a whole festival fun. The Burlington Hotel is located in the heart of Dublin City Centre so there will be plenty to keep your family or friends busy while you are playing poker. paddypowerpoker.com will also host entertainment in the evenings at the Burlington Hotel. It promises to be weekend of great craic.

Where can I find a copy of the tournament rules?

Seating assignments will be determined by a random draw and will not be transferable.
Each player will start with the same number of chips
The deal will start in the position 9 or the highest position at the table.
Players must keep their highest denomination ships visible at all times.
Players must protect their cards at all times. If a dealer takes in a hand by mistake, the hand is dead and there is no redress.
Players are not allowed to show their cards to other during a hand. If a player reveals their hand it will be declared dead.
Players involved in a hand may not discuss a pot in progress; if they do, they may get a penalty at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
A new hand commences when the dealer first riffles the cards.
A player must be sitting at the table when the last card is dealt to take part in a hand.
Players wishing to use a mobile phone MUST step away from the table.
Players may not ask for a change of deck.
Players must have respect for other Players, the Dealers and Tournament Directors. If they do not they may be subject to a penalty.
English must be spoken at all times during a hand.
The minimum bet amount is the amount of the big blind.
The minimum raise is DOUBLE THE PREVIOUS BET.
When there is a race for odd chips, a player can only win one chip. A player cannot be raced out of a tournament.
Players may not put chips in their pockets at any time. When moving tables, players may get a chip tray to carry their chips and they must go straight to their new table.
When a player is being moved from a table they will be the next on the big blind and will go to the worst position on the new table. Players can move to the button, the small blind and the big blind. A player who intentionally dodges blinds when moving from a broken table may forfeit the blinds and incur a penalty.
If a player is taking too much time to make a decision another player involved in the pot or the tournament director may ask for the clock. If this happens the player has 60 seconds to make a decision and after the 60 seconds the hand will be dead.
The Tournament Director is to consider fairness and the best interest of the game as the top priority in the decision-making process. Unusual circumstances can on occasion dictate that decisions in the interest of fairness take priority over the technical rules. The Tournament Directors decision is final.

Super Satellite Rules

Includes all tournament rules outlined above.
Prize winners in the Super Satellite event must play the destination event unless they already hold a seat in the destination event in which case players will receive a refund for the satellite prize.

The tournament organisers reserve the right to cancel or alter any event at its sole discretion in the best interest of the tournament or its players.

What is the General Event Disclaimer and how does it relate to TV?

By entering the venue (The Burlington Hotel, Dublin) at the paddypowerpoker.com Irish Open 2010 you consent to your likeness and image being used on television and the internet internationally, without restriction and in all forms of media for the distribution and promotion of the Irish Open only. Entry into this tournament is taken as consent to participating in the TV coverage.

Are there any rules for non-featured TV tables at the Irish Open 2010?

At non-feature tables, players may wear what they please so long as it does not interfere with other people's enjoyment of the event. Tournament Organiser's and Director's may ask a player to change attire if it is not deemed appropriate. Their decision will be final.

What are the rules for featured TV tables?

The following terms and conditions are for the feature table(s) at the Main Event of the Irish Open 2010. This will be an eight seated table within the main hall of the event that will be recorded by several cameras (including under the table cameras) and then broadcast internationally on terrestrial TV, digital TV and/or on the Internet. The feature table will be the final table on the last day of the tournament. By partaking in this event you consent that you will willingly partake in this feature table if requested.

At the feature table:

Players are permitted to wear sponsors logos (without a ".com") on their shirts only. These logos will be no larger than 10cm * 7cm on the left breast pocket and no larger than 8cm * 3cm on each sleeve.
Players may wear sunglasses, hats or other headgear provided there is no visible branding and the players speech and ears are visible.
Players may not wear earphones.
No other branding on any part of their body, clothing, chip protectors, or jewellery, will be permitted.
Players general appearance and sponsors shirts must be neat and clean. These shirts must have sleeves and collars (polo shirts and t-shirts will not be permitted) and must not be white. Sponsors must be aware that their players will not be allowed play on the feature table in unsuitable clothing. Tournament Organiser's decision will be final. Substitute shirts will be provided if available.
Players may be sponsored before the event begins and not during the event. Players must notify the Organiser's of their sponsor prior to commencement of the event.
No more than one third of the feature table players may be sponsored by the one company. In the situation where more than two players (at a six seat table) or three players (at an eight seat table) players sponsored by one company have made it to the feature table, either a person representing the relevant sponsor should decide upon who wears the shirts or the Tournament Director will choose.
Paddy Power Poker and the Tournament decision will be final on what clothing complies with the above rules.
Players also consent to participating in all reasonable requests for interviews and photographs surrounding this event. Publicity will be used in press releases and on paddypowerpoker.com to promote the Irish Open. Winners of events at the Irish Open will be required for future publicity of the Irish Open.
Players must agree to disclose their hole cards to the under the table cameras at the feature table and any refusal to do so could lead to disqualification from the event with no prize money being awarded and no refunds given.
Paddy Power Poker reserves the right to add or amend any tournament rules, as they feel appropriate.
Players must be appropriately dressed at all times within the main arena and will not be permitted to play if dressed in a manner deemed distracting to other players. The tournament director & Paddy Power Poker reserve the right to refuse participation of any players that does not abide by this rule.