by Devon Chappell, News Staff Writer

October 7, 2009

Everybody knows the Irish can handle their liquor. However, you might not know just how well they can handle their poker too. Well, I suppose liquor and poker are two activities that go well together, so no stretch there. Yet, considering just how big poker is in Ireland, it has to make you wonder why the World Series of Poker hasn't been held there yet.

Well, that's probably because Ireland already has a big-name poker event. One of the largest poker events in Ireland, and the world for that matter is, fittingly enough, the Irish Poker Championship. So, if you find yourself in or around Ireland, get ready for it. The 2010 event is right around the corner.

Scheduled to take place from December 10-14 at the Radisson Hotel in Galway, the €2,000 buy-in main event will be flanked by three side events, each with buy-ins of €550, €350, and €250. The overall prize pool is estimated to be over €750,000, with the first place winner guaranteed €250,000, plus a free seat to the 2010 European Poker Tour London event.

Several top name poker professionals have thus far confirmed their attendance at the Irish Poker Championship, including Andy Black, Surindar Sunar, Jon Kalmer, Marty Smyth, and let's not forget Poker Stars regular, Marcel Luske. Speaking of Poker Stars, they are sponsoring the Irish Poker Championship, and will be hosting satellite online poker events beginning one week from tomorrow into December.

For more information on Poker Stars, which is quite frankly the top online poker room in the world, give their website a visit Here, and open a free account to watch live, real money games in progress. Players can also practice their poker playing skills in Poker Stars "fun" software platform against like-minded players sure to offer a good challenge.

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