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Renowned as one of the oldest events on the European Poker scene, the Irish Poker Open has become a popular tournament for not only Europeans professionals, but also players around the world.

The World Series of Poker is the only No Limit Texas Hold 'em Poker tournament that has been in existence longer than the Paddy Power Irish Poker Open. The history of the event dates back to its initial tourney, way back in 1980. It was the brainchild of an Irish bookie by the name of Terry Rogers, and since then, the event has kept with tradition by being held annually over the Easter weekend.

The Irish Poker Open spawned out of Rogers' penchant for organizing large-scale poker tournaments for charity. During the late '70s, his events were known to bring in up to 300 players for games of five-card draw. When he flew to Las Vegas in 1979 and met poker mogul Benny Binion, Rogers' decided to start the Irish Poker Open.

During the 1990s, the tournament was skipped in 1992, 1995, and 1997 due to Rogers' failing health. Although he passed away in 1999, he was able to see the resurgence of the Irish Poker Open.

The tournament has seen champions take out the title multiple times, although never in consecutive years.

The inaugural winner in 1980, Colette Doherty - the first female player to compete in the World Series of Poker - had to wait more than a decade to reclaim the title in 1991. Liam "The Gentleman" Flood won in 1990 and 1996, while Mickey Finn took out both the 1994 and 1998 tournaments.

2007 was the year where the Irish Poker Open really started to make waves as a lucrative tournament. The guaranteed prize pool was doubled to €2 million from the previous year, a number that ballooned out to €2.3 million after the event received a European record of 708 competitors. Marty Smyth eventually claimed top prize and walked away with a staggering €650,000.

The following year saw the Open move from its home at the Burlington Hotel to the CityWest Hotel in Dublin. While the competition featured less competitors than 2007, the prize pool skyrocketed past the €3 million mark after PaddyPowerPoker.com contributed €200,000 to the guaranteed prize pool. Taking home €801,400 at the completion of the Irish Poker Open was English poker pro Neil Channing, after defeating local favourite Donal Norton.

2009 witnessed the tournament's popularity thrive, with several international poker celebrities joining in on proceedings. Some of the big names to take part included Phil Laak, Jennifer Tilly, Roland De Wolfe, Jamie Gold, and Juha Helppi. Swedish ace Christer Johansson picked up the crown and €600,000, with Canadian TV personality Kara Scott finishing runner-up.

The Irish Poker Open gets larger every single year, and doesn't look to be letting up any time soon. 2010 will see the tournament return to the Burlington Hotel in Dublin, and an even larger guaranteed prize pool than last year. Buy-ins have already been set at €3,200 + €300, and there are several satellites running in the lead-up to the event. Only time will tell if Christer Johansson will be able to defend his 2009 title.

Past winners

• 2009 - Christer Johannson
• 2008 - Neil Channing
• 2007 - Marty Smyth
• 2006 - Vincent Melinn
• 2005 - John Falconer
• 2004 - Ivan Donaghy
• 2003 - Joe Beevers
• 2002 - Nick Bernie
• 2001 - Jenny Hegarty
• 2000 - Alan Betson
• 1999 - Liam Barker
• 1998 - Mickey Finn
• 1996 - Liam Flood
• 1994 - Mickey Finn
• 1993 - Christie Smith
• 1991 - Colette Doherty
• 1990 - Liam Flood
• 1989 - Noel Furlong
• 1988 - Jimmy Langan
• 1987 - Noel Furlong
• 1986 - Bryan McCarthy
• 1985 - Irene Tier
• 1984 - Tony Byrne
• 1983 - Jimmy Langan
• 1982 - Frank Conway
• 1981 - Sean Kelly
• 1980 - Colette Doherty