PokerWorks

The Irish Open is one of the biggest poker tournaments in the world since it commonly features hundreds of entrants and a multi-million dollar prize pool.  Last year’s Irish Open saw 667 players enter the Main Event to create a $4,728,952 prize pool.  Neil Channing was the biggest winner of the 2008 Irish Open as he took first place and €801,400 (about $1,070,000) for the victory.



But even though the 2008 Irish Open was huge, this year’s event could easily eclipse last year’s.  That’s because the 2009 Irish Open is looking to uphold its status as Europe’s largest land-based poker tournament by featuring a €3,000,000 (well over $4,000,000) prize pool.  And the great thing about this is that you might not have to pay anything at all to play for this massive prize pool since SportsBook Poker is giving away $7,000 prize packages to the event.

The $7,000 prize packages will cover the €3,500 (about $4,700) buy-in to the 2009 Irish Open Main Event, four nights of hotel accommodations at the CityWest Hotel in Dublin, and $1,400 for travel expenses and spending cash.  In addition to the monetary value of the $7K prize packages, players will also be able to experience everything the scenic city of Dublin has to offer such as their amazing golf courses, lively pubs, and rolling hills.

The Main Event of the 2009 Irish Open kicks off on April 10th and lasts until April 13th so SportsBook is already running satellites and qualifiers for the $7,000 prize packages.  But, before you play in any of these tournaments, you’ll want to download SportsBook Poker through PokerWorks so that you receive the 100% deposit bonus up to $1,000.  Here is the current qualifier schedule for those who wish to earn one of the prize packages:  

•    The SportsBook Irish Open Final happens every Saturday at 2:00 pm ET and the buy-ins are $200 + $15.  One Irish Open prize package will be awarded for every $7,000 in the prize pool.

•    Gold RUSH Satellites allow players to use 10 of their Gold Chips to play in a special satellite where the winner will get a $7,000 prize package.  Gold RUSH Satellite starting times will be announced by SportsBook Poker so make sure to check out the tournament lobby.

•    The Irish Open Direct Gold Chip Buy-in promotion allows people to purchase an Irish Open prize package with their Gold Chips.  People who wish to do this need to visit SportsBook’s Cake Shop and use 18,400 of their Gold Chips.

•    SportsBook will also be adding two more ways people can win $7K prize packages in the Irish Open R&A Satellite and the Irish Open Semi Qualifier.  The starting times and details of these two tournament have yet to be announced by SportsBook.

•    In spirit of the Irish Open prize package giveaway, SportsBook has announced that they will also be holding Gold Card Daily Lottery Satellites.  A Gold Card will allow people to play for big prize money in this new promotion so check the SportsBook lobby for starting times.

Remember, the 2009 Irish Open Main Event starts on April 10th so make sure to earn your prize package before then.