Shamrock Showdown: Fintan, Marle and Talbot still have passes to give away…
The Irish Open returns in 2025 with an even bigger festival
Table of Contents
WAYS TO WIN
Before you read on and find out what the heck a Shamrock Showdown is and why you’ll want to be a part of it, let’s get to the really important stuff: How you could win an Emerald Pass to the Irish Open, where you’ll compete in the Main Event and other big tournaments.
As you’ll find out below, PokerStars Ambassadors have been given Emerald Passes to give away to members of their community. Some have already been won (Spraggy, Felix, Wistern and Peace&loove), but others are still up for grabs this week and next.
Marle Spragg will give her pass away on Sunday, March 9, to the winner of a centroll tournament (it costs just $0.01 to enter). She’ll give the password out on her stream 90 minutes before the tournament begins.
Parker “Tonkaaaa” Talbot will give his pass away on St Patrick’s Day (March 17), also via a centroll tournament. The password will be announced on stream 90 minutes before play begins.
But until then, it’s all about Fintan “easywithaces” Hand’s giveaway.
Fintan has set daily challenges this week
Hand is running a daily challenge, and the winner of each challenge will play a single-table sit & go on PokerStars on Monday, March 10. The winner will secure the Emerald Pass and join his Shamrock Showdown team in Dublin.
Here are the upcoming challenges:
Wednesday – Best Photoshop or AI of a night out with the Team Pros
Thursday – Quiz via Discord – to be announced on stream
Friday – Guess my stack size in the $215 Stackosauras 90 minutes into the tournament – closest wins
Saturday – “Best Bluff Wins” – Send me an interesting poker hand history OR life story
Sunday – Winning with AA on PokerStars that day – announced on X/Twitter
Make sure you follow Fintan Hand for the latest on his giveaway challenges.
Emerald Pass – Ambassador Giveaway T&Cs
Prize Description:
x1 Silver Pass – Emerald Edition:
€1,150 Irish Open main event entry
€350 Irish Open side event entry
€250 Mini Irish Open (complimentary added value courtesy of Irish Open)
Plus remaining value of the $2,500 credited as expenses, limited edition merchandise, live event liaison support and exclusive Irish Open activities.
A place on an Ambassador’s Team to compete in the Shamrock Showdown at the Irish Open, 10-21 April in Dublin.
Giveaway details:
Team Spraggy: Emerald Pass Giveaway via centroll on 06/02. Winner will be announced 06/02 on Spraggy’s Twitch and YouTube.
Team Wistern: Emerald Pass Giveaway via Sit&Go Home Game on Twitch 22/02. Winner will be announced 22/02 on Twitch.
Team GRND: Emerald Pass Giveaway via Live Tournament on Twitch 22/02. Winner will be announced 22/02 on Twitch.
Team Fintan: Emerald Pass Giveaway via Sit&Go Home Game. Winner will be announced 10/03 on Fintan’s Twitch and YouTube.
Team Marle: Emerald Pass Giveaway via centroll on 09/02. Winner announced 09/02 on Twitch.
Team Tonka: Emerald Pass Giveaway via centroll on 17/04. Winner announced 17/04 on Twitch.
Only players with an eligible, valid PokerStars Account are eligible for the prize. Winners must have a fully verified Stars Account that is valid and in good standing.
The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash, T-Money or other rewards. Nor can it be re-sold. PokerStars reserve the right to withhold or change prizes, per license regulations.
The prize is not available in some countries due to local gambling restrictions, including: DE, BE, SE, GR, DK.
PokerStars will send the winners an email to the address linked to their Stars Account after the Draw. Winners must reply to the email and accept the prize and confirm their attendance before March 24. If winners do not respond to the email and select their preferred event within by March 01, the prize will be forfeited.
The prize does not include any accessories, costs, taxes, fees, expenses and/or arrangements not expressly specified in the prize description. Winners are solely responsible for, and PokerStars will not be liable to reimburse the winners for, any such additional charges and expenses.
If any element of the prize becomes unavailable, or if a winner is unable to use/take part in any element of the prize, for any reason beyond PokerStars’ reasonable control, PokerStars is not obliged to offer an alternative prize or any cash alternative or compensation.
PokerStars has no liability for lost or stolen tickets, vouchers, certificates and/or other documentation connected with the prize.
Winners agree to be bound by the PokerStars live events terms available at www.pokerstarslive.com/about/tos/.
PokerStars is not liable for any loss, theft, damage or injury caused or sustained by a winner/their companion as a result of participating in the prize (except that PokerStars will be liable for death or personal injury arising from PokerStars’ negligence or for fraudulent misrepresentation).
Winners must not do anything that may bring the PokerStars, any of its group companies or its commercial partners into disrepute. PokerStars reserves the right to take appropriate action (including the removal of any element of the prize) if a winner acts in a way that PokerStars reasonably considers to bring the PokerStars, any of its group companies or its commercial partners into disrepute.
It is the responsibility of the Winners to check any travel advisories relating to the travel destination and to determine what action to take in relation to any such advisories. PokerStars has no liability if a Winner does not make such checks, if they choose to travel despite the advice given in any relevant advisory or if they choose not to travel on the advice given in any relevant advisory (in which case PokerStars will not be obliged to offer a substitute prize).
It is the responsibility of the Winners to check whether any vaccinations and/or prescription medicines are recommended or required prior to travel and PokerStars has no liability in this respect.
It is the responsibility of the Winners to take out their own travel insurance in connection with their Prize. PokerStars will have no liability for any failure by a Winner to take out travel insurance and/or to comply with the terms and conditions of their travel insurance policy.
If you have any questions about the prizes, please contact our Help Centre.
READY TO COMPETE IN DUBLIN?
The stakes will be higher, the games will be bigger, and the craic will be is unmissable. The legendary Irish Open returns April 10-21 with an extended 12-day schedule.
Whether you’re a seasoned poker pro or a casual player looking to soak up the Dublin experience, it promises electrifying poker action. Plus, an atmosphere like no other tournament series you’ve played.
Want to be there? Then read on.
PokerStars is giving its Ambassadors six Silver Pass Emerald Edition packages. Each is worth $2,500 plus a ticket to the €250 Mini Irish Open, and they’ll be given away to someone in their community.
The winners will win a poker holiday they’ll never forget. And join their Ambassador’s team in the Shamrock Showdown – a battle for poker glory.
WHAT IS THE SHAMROCK SHOWDOWN?
A new layer of excitement is coming to this year’s Irish Open with the introduction of the Shamrock Showdown – a team-based competition led by six PokerStars Ambassadors.
Expect fiery rivalries, hilarious off-the-felt challenges, and competitive recruiting as ambassadors scramble to build the best teams.
MEET THE TEAMS:
- Team Spraggy
- Team Fintan
- Team Caitlin & Marle
- Team Seb & Wistern
- Team Tonkaaaa
- Team GRND
HOW IT WORKS:
Points are earned both at the poker tables in select tournaments and through a variety of exciting off-the-felt challenges.
Each team’s score is based on the performance of its players in each tournament. If a team’s player outlasts their opponents in all 10 tournaments, the team can earn a total of 1,000 points.
Note: Not all team members need to play each tournament.
The Shamrock Showdown tournaments are listed below:
- €1,150 Mystery Bounty
- €250 Mini Irish Open
- €1,150 Main Event
- €350 6-Max
- €1,150 8-Max (#31)
- €350 Heads-Up
- €350 HMC
- €350 PLO 6-Max
- €550 Mystery Bounty
- €550 JP Poker Masters
When all team members have been knocked out of the tournament, the best-performing players will receive the following points:
- 1st – 100 points
- 2nd – 50 points
- 3rd – 30 points
- 4th – 20 points
- 5th – 10 points
- 6th – 0 points
While the full list of challenges remains under wraps, expect antics such as a darts showdown, fancy dress, a drag show, and even a lip sync battle. We’ll release the full challenge schedule ASAP.
PokerStars will call the shots, adding an extra layer of unpredictability and excitement. Who will outlast, outplay, and out-craic the competition?
Note: Players can choose which challenges they compete in – none are compulsory – but teams can only score points in a challenge once. For example, if Caitlin earns 5 points from the Split the G challenge, the challenge is completed for her team. Imagine a bingo card – once a challenge is done, it’s crossed off.
HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE ACTION
One of the most exciting ways to participate in this year’s Irish Open is to win a Silver Pass Emerald Edition through the Power Path. This supercharged version of the Silver Pass, worth $2,500, also comes with a complimentary €250 Mini Irish Open ticket courtesy of the Irish Open team.
But in the Shamrock Showdown, you could win one in a unique way. Each PokerStars Ambassador has one Emerald Pass to give away within their community, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the Irish Open action in style.
More details on these giveaways will be revealed across their channels soon.
This exclusive opportunity not only gets you into the biggest poker festival of the year but also gives you a shot at joining one of the Shamrock Showdown teams.
The Emerald Pass Includes:
- €1,150 Irish Open Main Event entry
- €350 Irish Open Side Event entry
- €250 Mini Irish Open ticket (complimentary added value courtesy of Irish Open)
- Remaining value of $2,500 credited as expenses
- Limited edition merchandise
- Live event liaison support & exclusive Irish Open activities
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I join a Shamrock Showdown team?
PokerStars Ambassadors will each be selecting their team members in a competitive, informal draft. They will then award an Emerald Pass to a member of their community.
What kind of off-the-felt challenges can I expect?
While full details will be revealed at the event, expect darts competitions, fancy dress antics, lip sync battles, and more PokerStars surprises that will add an extra level of excitement to the competition.
What do I get with an Emerald Pass?
The Emerald Pass includes entries to multiple Irish Open events, merchandise, expenses, and the chance to be part of the Shamrock Showdown.
Where can I follow the Shamrock Showdown action?
Updates, behind-the-scenes content, and highlights will be shared across PokerStars’ channels and through the participating Ambassadors.
ABOUT THE IRISH OPEN FESTIVAL 2025
The 2025 Irish Open is set to be the biggest and richest poker festival ever held in Ireland. There’ll be more cash in the prize pools, plus an even longer festival.
With an extra four days added to celebrate the event’s 45th anniversary, here are some headlines to look forward to…
- A €1,000,000 guaranteed Mystery Bounty
- A High Roller series with four €5,000 buy-in events and a €10,000 buy-in event
- The biggest ever guarantee for the Main Event, now up to €2,500,000
- Plus the hugely popular Mini Irish Open, with €1,000,000 guaranteed
PokerStars is sponsoring the event for the third consecutive year alongside Paddy Power. You can expect hundreds of chances to qualify online for the event.
The Royal Dublin Society in Ballsbridge Dublin will host the 12-day festival which starts on April 10 and runs to April 21.
Schedule highlights
Check out the full schedule for the Irish Open 2025 here.
Several tournaments will be extended to become two-day events in 2025.
- The Hendon Mob Championship
- The America’s Cup
- The NLH 6-Max Championship event
There will also be the inaugural Irish Open Deaf Championship joining next year’s schedule.
New mixed game tournaments on the schedule will include:
- Pot Limit Deuce to 7 Triple Draw
- Big O
- Open Face Chinese
- A two-day H.O.R.S.E event
- A two-day Mixed 8-game tournament
Plus, two-day €1K events, increased PLO events and more.
Fun away from the tables
The fun doesn’t stop at the tables.
The Irish Open is as known for the ‘craic’ as much as it’s known for the poker.
The now infamous player’s lounge – ‘The Craic Den’ – will make an eagerly-anticipated return. And players can expect tons of live music, games, competitions and top-class entertainment every night.
Satellites for the 2025 Main Event are running right now, and you can also qualify using Power Path.
For more information, visit www.irishpokeropen.com.
Irish Open Online – Feb 17-24
If you’re still unsure about attending Dublin in April, the Irish Open Online—a special online series running in February—might decide for you.
The series runs from February 17-24, 2025 with more than $800K guaranteed in prizes across 17 events. Buy-ins range from $11 to $320 and the series is headlined by the $215 Irish Open Online Main Even–a tournament you won’t want to miss.
On top of the cash prizes, the top three finishers in the Online Main Event will win the following:
- 1st place – $2,500 Irish Open Silver Pass Emerald Edition
- 2nd place – €1,150 Irish Open Main Event Seat Only package
- 3rd place – €109 Irish Open Main Event Qualifier satellite ticket
Please note: These prizes are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
So, whoever wins the Online Main Event will also book a free trip to Dublin for the live festival.
KEY DATES:
- $22 Mini Irish Open: Sunday, February 23 – $60,000 Gtd
- $215 Irish Poker Open Online Main Event: Sunday, February 23 – $200,000 Gtd
- $55 Mystery Bounty: Monday, February 24 – $100,000 Gtd
ABOUT THE IRISH OPEN
The Irish Open has been a must-visit stop on any poker player’s travel list for decades.
It’s not just the incredible Dublin location or the festive community spirit that makes it essential on the international poker calendar, however. This is an event steeped in history.
The festival is the longest-running no limit hold’em tournament outside of Las Vegas, with a history dating back more than 42 years. It firmly established itself on the world stage in 1984, when 25 American players–including the legends Stu Ungar, Chip Reese and Doyle Brunson–made the journey to Dublin. That tournament was televised, the interest was huge, and the Irish Open hasn’t slowed down since.
Tero the hero: Defending champ Tero Laurila
Last year’s champ was Finland’s Tero Laurila who defeated a 3,233-entry field to win €292,685 and the biggest Irish Open in history. Back in 2023, it was PokerStars qualifier David Docherty who took home a first prize of €365,000 after besting a 2,491-entry field — a record-breaker at the time.
Steve O’Dwyer (who has lived in Dublin for the past 11 years) and PokerStars commentator Griffin Benger have also taken down the Main Event. O’Dwyer beat a field of 2,040 entries in his home city to win the first-place prize of €318,700 in 2022.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2024 – Tero Laurila – €292,685
2023 – David Docherty – €365,000
2022 – Steve O’ Dwyer – €318,700
2020 – Pablo Silva – €462,100
2019 – Weijie Zheng – €300,000
2018 – Ryan Mandara – €250,000
2017 – Griffin Benger – €200,000
2016 – Dan Wilson – €150,000
2015 – Ioannis Triantafyllakis – €200,000
2014 – Patrick Clarke – €200,000
2013 – Ian Simpson – €265,000
2012 – Kevin Vandersmissen – €420,000
2011 – Niall Smyth – €550,000
2010 – James Mitchell – €600,000
2009 – Christer Johansson – €600,000
2008 – Neil Channing – €801,000
FURTHER READING
The Irish Open wins big at Global Poker Awards
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