The IPO - From Tournament to Tour

The Boylepoker.com IPO Dublin has always been one of Europe’s largest poker events with the biggest field so far being 1,440 players. This year, with the 20% Added Money promotion, courtesy of Boylepoker.com, we’ve decided to create the Boylepoker.com IPO Tour 2014.
These the opening words from Stephen McLean, the supremo and originator of the International Poker Open, who, after much consideration and plenty of request, has taken his enormously popular and successful event around Ireland and England, with four additional stops being added to the traditional home of the IPO Dublin, in October.

Stephen believes the success of the IPO has been simple and it was something that occurred to him back in 2007 as he created the inaugural IPO.  The reason its successful is really because it was the first of its kind. Up to that point there were basically no major poker festivals that catered to players with low to medium bankrolls. We then integrated the 2008 IPO with our online partner of choice, Boylepoker, and in doing this we were able to offer fully dealer dealt tournaments up to the same standard as an EPT or WSOP but for a fraction of the price. We have maintained this standard every year to date, adapting the structure and overall offering as we go, with great additional promotions and incentives from Boylepoker also giving the players even more value.

The IPO Dublin has always been hugely popular with the poker player fraternity in the Emerald Isle. Known for a fantastic structure (30k stack on a 40 minute clock), great value buy in ( ‚¬230) and is the centrepiece to other superb events that make IPO weekends more festivals than an individual tournament. Players from the UK have flooded over the water also and it also attracts a great contingent from mainland Europe.

But what the IPO is known for almost more than anything, is its superb atmosphere and great social camaraderie amongst the players. With the traditional home at the Regency Hotel being close to Dublin Airport but also being only 10 minutes from Dublin City Centre, the famous craic of the Irish is certainly in evidence at the IPO, players from all walks of life and of all ends of the poker spectrum from pub league poker players to world famous professionals find themselves on the same tables and doing battle to win their share of the massive prize pools generated.

The stories that originate from the IPO are legendary Jesse May “the Voice of Poker” has this to say “You get to be a part of the Main Event for the price of a satellite. Last year I had so much fun, I booked my ticket for next year well before level two! It’s such a great weekend, the only thing as much fun as still being in the tournament, is being at the bar the day after you get knocked out! A great weekend, full of great poker, great people, and plenty of stories at the bar.”

Irish poker legend Nicky Power, also believes that the IPO is a truly unique event, “The IPO
festival, or ‘the peoples tournament’ as I call it, is probably my favorite weekend of the whole year.
The tournament is simply a celebration of the game of poker and a wonderful time is always
assured. Win or lose at this one, everyone goes home with a smile on their face.”

High praise indeed!

The IPO Galway and London have already taken place  in February, Boylepoker sponsored pro John o Shea won the ‚ €21k winners cash, and then in April, at Aspers Casino, Stratford, Eric Ramkeesoon outlasted the field and scooped the , £12k first prize. The next stop is Killarney, which commences Wednesday 21 June.  The Pokeriety will bring you full reports and updates from here.

After that will be the first ever IPO Newcastle in August and then its back to the spiritual (and alcoholic!) home of the IPO Dublin, October 16-20.

The Pokeriety will be holding special ADDED VALUE satellites to the IPO Newcastle, with subsequent satellites to Dublin also. See our featured IPO site on www.ThePokeriety.com for more details and how win your seat into one of the most popular and enjoyable poker events on the calendar!