The 2025 Irish Poker Open Main Event has etched its name into the record books with an unprecedented 4,562 entries, obliterating its €2.5 million guarantee by nearly €2 million. The €1,150 buy-in no-limit hold’em tournament, which dates back to 1980, saw a staggering 41.1% increase in participation compared to last year’s turnout, making it the biggest edition in the history of Europe’s longest-running no-limit hold’em event.
After five starting flights and three grueling days of play at the Royal Dublin Society, it was Ireland’s Simon Wilson who emerged victorious, capturing a career-best payday of €600,000 (approximately $684,000 USD).
“This is something we all dream about, but never really expect to happen,” said Wilson during the PokerStars live stream. “The prize is incredible, but more than that, it’s the memory of winning this tournament. It’s something I’ll carry with me forever.”
Hailing from Ashbourne near Dublin, Wilson added to his growing résumé, pushing his total live earnings beyond $1.2 million. His prior top score was a $251,073 ninth-place finish in the 2023 WSOP Online Main Event. Earlier in this same festival, he also final-tabled a €10,000 high roller event, banking $48,792 for fifth place.
Wilson also claimed 1,320 Card Player Player of the Year (POY) points for his win, propelling him into 76th place in the 2025 POY standings.
Final Table Highlights from the Irish Poker Open Main Event
Out of the 4,562 entries, 671 players earned a share of the $5,119,590 prize pool. Several well-known names ran deep, including WPT champ Soheb Porbandarwala (25th), bracelet winner Carl Shaw (21st), former Irish Open champ Ian Simpson (20th), and poker media personality Terrance Reid (11th).
The final day began with 19 contenders, with Italy’s Umberto Ruggeri leading the pack. Wilson started the day in 11th place but steadily built momentum. By the time the final table began, Michael Karim had taken over as chip leader.
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9th place: Joe O’Donaill (€52,212) – lost pocket nines to pocket kings
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8th: Robert Fluereci (€67,294) – lost with sevens vs. A-9
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7th: Panteleimon Pontos (€88,350) – lost with A-3 vs. A-K
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6th: Brandon Harris (€114,000) – outkicked with J-10 vs. A-10
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5th: Michael Karim (€148,200) – busted with Q♠6♣ against 7♥7♦
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4th: Georgios Skarparis (€193,800) – knocked out by Wilson’s A♥6♦
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3rd: Ignotas Kirsis (€256,500) – fell in a blind battle with 5♠5♥ vs. K♦9♠
Heads-Up Brilliance
Wilson entered heads-up play with a dominant stack of 168.5 million chips against Ruggeri’s 53.5 million. On the final hand, Ruggeri min-raised with A♥10♣, and Wilson shoved with 6♦5♦. Ruggeri called for his tournament life. The board ran out 7♠6♣3♥K♣2♠, giving Wilson a pair of sixes and the Irish Poker Open Main Event title.
Ruggeri took home €360,240 for his runner-up finish—his third-largest career score behind his EPT Prague podium in 2023 ($495,979) and his 2025 Merit Poker Western Series win ($377,500). With four final tables and $812K in 2025 earnings so far, he currently ranks seventh in the POY standings with 2,828 points.
