This past weekend we wrapped up the Irish Poker Tour Final at The GreenIsle Hotel, Dublin and honestly, what a weekend it was. The atmosphere was electric from start to finish, and it was brilliant to see so many familiar faces alongside plenty of new ones. Big congratulations have to go to Darren Harbinson, my former IPT fellow ambassador, who took down the Main Event. Darren played some outstanding poker and walked away with €36,000 after a deal – a massive achievement and one I was genuinely delighted to see.

The Leaderboard Playoffs also gave us some unreal poker. Watching Mary Galvin battle it out and secure 2nd place against John J Ward was a real treat. Mary’s composure, decision-making and sheer grit at the table were top class. Performances like that are exactly why women’s poker deserves more spotlight – the talent is absolutely there.

One story that really stood out for me though was Stephanie Coyle, who travelled over from Glasgow with her two friends, Scott and Glen. They had previously visited our tour in Alea Casino Glasgow, so hearing that they made the trip to Dublin meant a lot. Stephanie came back for Day 2 with just 38,000 chips – not exactly a comfortable stack – but she didn’t let that stop her. She spun it up, played fearlessly, and eventually exited in 48th place out of 205 Day 2 qualifiers. That’s heart, determination, and proper poker spirit right there.

And now… it’s Galway time.

The Galway Poker Festival kicks off this Wednesday at The Galmont Hotel, and I genuinely cannot wait. Galway always brings a special buzz – the people, the craic, the poker tables packed with energy from morning to night. But for me, the highlight is without doubt the Women’s Game, taking place on Friday 9th January at 1pm.

As an Irish Poker Tour ambassador and the voice behind Queen of the Felt, this event means a lot to me. Women’s poker is growing, and every time we sit down at the table together, we’re building confidence, community, and visibility. Whether you’re brand new to live poker or a seasoned regular, this game is about feeling welcome, supported, and encouraged to play your best.

You don’t need to be fearless – you just need to show up. The rest comes with experience, a few bluffs, a few bad beats, plenty of laughs, and hopefully a nice stack of chips in front of you.

I’m really looking forward to catching up with everyone in Galway over the coming days, sharing stories from the felt, and seeing familiar and new faces alike. Let’s make this festival – and especially the women’s event – one to remember.

See you at the tables 💚

Queen of the Felt Tanya ♣️

Irish Poker Tour Ambassador