Whenever the Irish Poker Tour rolls into town passers by can’t help but be drawn in. Playing cards is something that many, if not most people learn when young. It is a great way to teach elements of life with those close to us, as to prepare people for the twists and turns that the rocky road may present.

Opening the doors to an IPT event, you can’t help but be transported back to your younger years. Poker at the end of the day is a game, and around the table, people from all walks of life are equal. Whether it is your first event or a seasoned veteran, without a doubt you will feel welcome.

Although it is in the very fabric of our core to be competitive. It is called the human race for a reason…
The IPT organisers have constructed a format meticulously, ensuring that the everyday punters can join in with affordable stakes, rallying players from all over the globe to create a unique and thrilling experience.

Lets get down to business…
The Holigames Mystery Bounty Day 1B kicked off first at 11am, with 88 early birds trying to secure a place in the final the following day. Hoping to get a chance to pluck and with luck secure a big bounty. Bringing forward the highest stacks of the flight were Brendan Coone with 359,000, Hiep Anh Nguyen with 358,000 and Jesse Viertola with 320,000.
Next up for the Poker nuts was the second flight of the Main event. With 132 entries making their way to the tables. The Monster €250k Main Event 1B saw the arrival of one of IPT’s ambassadors Darren “The Drummer” Harbinson, who not only brightened up the somewhat cloudy day in Dublin but managed to secure his seat in the final day taking through 244,000. The 3rd highest chip stack went to Niall Campbell who had 336,000, then it was Adam Shaw with 558,000. The most chips taken through in the flight was with Sam Butler who had 678,000.

Bounty hunters out for blood, had one more flight to qualify for Friday’s final. This saw 127 entries signing up, with many realising the potential to make some decent money through bounties as well as the prize pool. Paul Carr and Dara Kearney fought to lay a claim to be seated on the final day. Thursday also saw the arrival of Stephen “Stork” Bartlett, a true staple and great contributor to the atmosphere of the IPT. Going through to the final day with the 3 highest stacks was Jai Pangrekar with 378,000. Then it was James Walsh with 450,000. The biggest stack was accumulated by Brian Graham taking forward 489,000.
It wouldn’t be an IPT event without the chance to take home a trophy. This was in the form of the NLH €5k with 38 entries vying for the chance to take home the 2nd honour of the festival. The final 3 battled it out but in the end Samuel Burton placed 3rd taking €850. In 2nd Russell Dalton snapped up €1,250 and the winner was Joseph Coulter who is a regular at Rinty’s up in Antrim, securing €1,950.

With the final of the €40k Holigames Mystery Bounty plus other events on Friday the start of the weekend is sure to send the festival into overdrive.

Be sure to keep up to date with the action on livepokerupdates.com