10 percent prop bet
A group of the better-known Dublin-based poker players have entered into a bet, whereby they all have to lose 10 percent of their body weight in a given period of time.
This is one of the more interesting proposition bets, as the contenders are an unwavering set. For example, after one had a liver transplant, he allegedly declared he was going to teach its replacement a real lesson! That type of determination should see most meet their goal.
Regardless, James Thompson appears to be the value in the field, and is most people's favourite not to reach the target.
Poker Events announces dates for Europe's largest
Poker Events has announced that the 2007 I
rish Poker Championship will take place Jan. 4-7 in the Citywest Hotel on the outskirts of Dublin. It will boast the biggest prize pool to date, with an estimated first prize of €200,000 and the purse expected to reach €500,000.
The
Championship is comprised of a series of events nationwide, along with satellites throughout the UK and Europe that will culminate in the
Irish Poker Finals, a three-day event with a buy-in of €1,500.
In addition to the main event, there will be two additional events with buy-ins of €500 and €750. These events will produce prize pools of €120,000 and €150,000, respectively.
Directing the proceedings will be Donal MacAonghusa and Mags Manton. Speaking from his Galway home, MacAonghusa commented: "Last year this was Europe's biggest tournament, in terms of the number of runners, and we expect record numbers again this year."
The European Lifestyle Show will be running alongside the
Championship event, and players and poker fans will see providers showing off their products. It will give players a unique opportunity to speak directly with representatives of the largest online companies in the world, and avail themselves of promotions and special offers.
Event promoter Fintan Gavin said: "I am confident that the
Irish Poker Championship will surpass last year's event in regard to the prize pool. This will be one of the biggest poker tournaments ever staged in Europe.
"With the addition of our new pub tournament poker league, more new people have become involved in tournament poker, and this can only be good for the game. CityWest Hotel as a venue is magnificent. There should be a great buzz with the show and the tournaments running side by side."
Irish Poker Championship 2007 Programme Jan. 4-7, 2007
Thursday, Jan. 4, €300 plus €30, Mega-Satellite, 20.00 hrs, 10 tickets guaranteed
Friday, Jan. 5, Sit-and-gos, 12.00 hrs-18.00hrs
Friday, Jan. 5, €300 plus €30, Mega-Satellite, 14.00 hrs, 8 tickets guaranteed
Friday, Jan. 5 - Sunday, Jan. 7, €1,500, 9% withheld, Main event, 3-day freezeout, 18.00 hrs, Estimated €500,000 prize pool
Saturday, Jan. 6, €750 plus €75, Supporting event, 17.00 hrs, Estimated €150,000 prize pool
Sunday, Jan. 7, €500 plus €50, Supporting event, 15.00 hrs, Estimated €120,000 prize pool
Contact www.pokerevents.ie or phone: +353 (0) 91799990
Crypto coming to Ireland
Leading software developer CryptoLogic has announced its intention to advance its global strategy by establishing its headquarters in Ireland as of January 2007, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals.
"CryptoLogic's business is increasingly centered in Europe, and establishing our organization in that market is the logical next step to support our international growth plans," said Lewis Rose, CryptoLogic's president and CEO. "For CryptoLogic, this is about being closer to our customers, and to the world's most thriving Internet gaming markets. By expanding our presence in gaming-friendly jurisdictions, CryptoLogic enhances its flexibility to pursue all strategic opportunities and broaden the services offered to our customers."
Paddy punt on Open winner
PaddyPowerPoker.com has opened betting on the
Irish Open 2007, Europe's most historic tournament.
The "outright winner" market is the first of many markets on which punters can back themselves, a friend, or simply their fancy. Other marketsthat will open over the coming months will include "to make final table," "group betting," "match betting," "female to make final table," "age of winner," "nationality of winner," and more.
Paddy Power, spokesman for the Irish bookmaker, said: "We paid out €47,000 to winner Vincent Melinn last year, who had €250 each way on himself at 150-1, and he gave most of it away to another player. I wish he'd given some back to us! Regardless, we'll have more markets, more value, and more fun this year than at any poker tournament in history, and I'll lay you odds-on on that."
Blackjack colossal
The Colossus Casino in Dublin has introduced blackjack tournaments on Sunday nights starting at 11 p.m.
The buy-in is €20, with unlimited rebuys for 30 minutes. The tournament lasts 90 minutes, with the top four players each week going through to the grand final.
The casino adds €500 to the prize pool every Sunday, and is adding €2,000 to the grand final.
It's guaranteed
Both the Silks and the Jackpot cardrooms in Dublin have introduced tournament guarantees. On Wednesday nights at the Silks, there is a €2,500-guaranteed double-chance tournament. On Tuesdays and Fridays, there is a guaranteed prize fund of €3,500, and €4,200 at the Jackpot.
Visit Roy at www.Roytheboy.net.
