Editor
The 2025 Irish Open was a record-shattering series that drew headlines with a staggering number of entries for the Main Event. The €1,150 buy-in Main Event captured 4,562 entries, making a nearly €4.5 million prize pool. That number shattered the 2024 Irish Open Main Event entries of 3,233, which had been a record in its own right.
A 70% increase on what had already been a record in 2024 made the 2025 Irish Open Main Event one of the most significant events of the poker year worldwide. The 2023 merger with PokerStars has undoubtedly been a big positive for the Irish Open. Not only did the tournament consist of local Irish players, but players from all over the globe flocked to the Emerald Isle for some poker action.
The massive field also created some huge payouts. The Main Event payout structure was very top-heavy, with the top prize being a whopping €600,000. This huge top prize made for gigantic money jumps at the final table, so players had to calibrate their tournament strategy to ensure they cashed for the most significant amount possible.
Local Irishman Wins
At the end of the four-day Main Event, the winner was a familiar face in Irish poker. Simon Wilson came out on top to keep the trophy at home in Ireland, denying players from seven countries at the final table from taking it away from the Irish homeland.
This cash now makes up over 60% of Wilson’s career earnings of $1.043 million. The previous best cash of his career had been for $50,000, making this win over 10x better.
The Ashbourne native was supported by a massive rail of Irish players and locals alike. As he mentioned in his post-win interview,
“They came from all over, you know, school, home, rugby. All the Irish poker community. I could really feel them behind me, even when things weren’t going my way and it was a big help.”
Wilson defeated Italian player Umberto Ruggeri heads-up to finish off the impressive final table performance where the eventual winner battled his way through several ups and downs.
The staggering increase in entries was not limited to the Main Event; the Mini Main Event also broke records, and the Mystery Bounty event was the largest of its kind ever held in Ireland.
