PaddyPowerPoker Hosts Irish Poker Tournament

IRELAND – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Paddypowerpoker.com in association with Liam Flood and the Merrion Casino Club today proudly announce details of the 25th Irish Open poker tournament to be held in Jurys Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin over 14, 15, 16, 17 April 2006.

This historic event is now one of the richest in world poker – the main event has a €1 million prize pool guaranteed and €50,000 added by paddypowerpoker.com. The €3,000 entry (plus €200 registration fee) main event starts Saturday 15 April at 4pm and will attract the top names in poker from Ireland, Britain, Europe, the US and beyond. The final table will play down to the winner on Monday 17 April.

Players can qualify on paddypowerpoker.com from just €10 – the online qualifier who places highest in the Irish Open will also receive a package worth $12,500 to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas in August . Satellites will also be held in card clubs and casinos throughout Britain, Ireland and Europe.

Spokesman Paddy Power said of the event, "Forget the Ryder Cup, this is going to be the biggest, baddest and best sporting event in Ireland this year. It's not often the man on the street gets a chance to put his money where his mouth is against the best in the world, especially not when there's a million euro up for grabs. It'll be a nice little Easter nest egg for somebody, and I for one can't wait to watch the best of the best put each other to the sword."

The Irish Open is the main event in a Festival of Poker taking place over Easter weekend in Dublin – renowned as Europe's most lively city. The Festival will also include 3 additional tournaments:

Friday 14 April 4pm - €400 (+ €40) rebuy for 90 minutes

Sunday 16 April 8pm - €300 (+ €30) freezeout

Monday 17 April 6pm - €150 (+ €15) rebuy for 90 minutes

The Irish Open is Europe's oldest No limit Texas Hold Em tournament. Legendary Irish bookmaker Terry Rogers started the event with his friend and colleague Liam Flood in 1981. Although Terry passed away in 1999 Liam, a world class player and tournament director of international renown, continues his involvement with this prestigious tournament. Over the years the Irish Open has attracted many of the legends of poker including Stu Ungar, Amarillo Slim and Doyle Brunson.

The winner of the 2006 main event will be presented with the specially commissioned Terry Rogers Perpetual Trophy in commemoration of the colourful character who started this event and pioneered poker in Europe.