Online Poker

Some of poker's most influential and well known stars from the US and across Europe have confirmed their participation in the 26th Irish Poker Open being held at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin over the upcoming Easter weekend (6-9 April) 2007.

Mike Sexton, host of the World Poker Tour television series, World Series of Poker bracelet holder and all-round ambassador for the game, will play the main event as will Academy Award nominated actress Jennifer Tilly and her Dublin-born partner Phil Laak.

Laak, also know as 'the Unabomer', was predictably excitable about his prospects of playing in the Irish Open. "The Irish Open, wow. Very cool. Very cool indeed," he enthused. "Fully Genius sir. Fully genius."

WSOP bracelet holder and Laak buddy, 'The Magician' Antonio Esfandiari, is also playing the main event and will be joined by fellow countrymen Chad Brown (TV presenter and actor) and World Poker Association head Jesse Jones.

Between them these six world-class players have earned almost $10 million in tournament poker payouts.

The charismatic jeweler, Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott who has won over $4 million in tournament play is one of dozens of top European players attending the event. This list also includes Roland De Wolfe who has won both World and European Poker Tour titles.

Other players who have already registered for the event to date include: Donnacha O'Dea, Padraig Parkinson, Andy Black, Roy 'the Boy' Brindley, 'Mad' Marty Wilson, Dave Colclough, Lee Nelson, Jan Molby, Michael Greco, Barny Boatman, Scott Gray, Ivo Donev, Rolf Slotboom and Julian Gardner.

Registrations have been pouring in from all over the world and with well over half the 700 seats taken the event is on track to be the biggest poker tournament ever held in Europe, as well as the longest running.

You can bet that Full Tilt Poker will have a full contingent of players and pros representing them at the event. They ran a lot of sunday satellite tournaments giving away packages to the tournament, and Dublin is definitely one of the Tilters' favorite cities!

Ahh to be sure, to be sure.. It'll be poker craic!