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Ladies take middle stage
For so long as I’ve been taking part in poker, Galway has hosted the primary main dwell cease yearly. First there was the IPC, then the UKIPT (the very first UKIPT was held right here), and extra not too long ago the IPT, all of the mind youngsters of Fintan Gavin. This yr was no totally different, with the primary IPT of the yr happening on the Galmont Resort. The competition featured a variety of occasions with aggressive ensures, all of which have been comfortably smashed. The €600 ($657) buy-in primary occasion had a €300k ($329k) assure, however 833 entries over six Day 1 flights generated a €433k ($474k) prize pool.
The IPT has fostered a brand new golden interval of grassroots poker in Eire. One other characteristic has been the rise of Girls occasions, and Galway was no exception. Sia Browne not solely took down the Girls occasion hosted by IPT Ambassador Tanya Masters, but in addition gained the opening freezeout (defeating Recreation of Gold star Lukas Robinson heads-up) and was concerned in a four-way chop of the Monster occasion (a chop which additionally featured legendary Irish woman Wilhelmina “Willow” Connolly).
two of the highest six on the general leaderboard are feminine
Different girls with deep runs included Liz Kelly, contemporary off her chop within the Dublin Foremost Occasion in November and who was fifth within the Claddagh Cup (simply forward of her accomplice Derek Baker – extra on him later), and Katie Harrington, who gained the Opener. On the time of writing, two of the highest six on the general leaderboard are feminine (Sia and Katie).
The previous ones are one of the best ones
That different nice forgotten demographic in poker, the seniors, additionally had an excellent competition. I took down my first dwell occasion in ten years: the Paddy Energy Twitch 5k freeroll. I attempted advancing the argument to anybody that will hear that this was truly the hardest (and due to this fact most prestigious) occasion of all, because you needed to win a Twitch sport on Paddy Energy to qualify (so everybody in it was a web based crusher) and there was no re-entry, however no person was shopping for it. Though I’ve by no means been one to place a lot inventory in my poker trophies (when guests to Doke Manor ask concerning the few dozen trophies in my cupboard, I take nice delight in displaying them the one I bought for profitable the Irish 24-hour working championships, the world indoor 6 hour championship, and the New York 60 km, and I even have a variety of delight for my Leinster chess champion trophy, however not fairly a lot for “this one I bought for profitable numerous flips, and this one the place I hit runner-runner”), it did really feel good to take down a dwell match, even when once more there was greater than an enormous slice of luck concerned.
all my “greatest palms” however one held up
The ultimate desk was an actual rollercoaster: I went in 8th of 9 and was shortest for a lot of it (dropping under two BBs on multiple event), however I did handle to get it in forward each time besides the ultimate hand. All my “greatest palms” however one held up, a disguised type of luck much like an acca on a bunch of odds-on favorites that every one are available in, which means than once I bought heads-up with Ger Keenan, I had many of the chips for as soon as. Within the last hand, Ger trap-limped Queens on the button tremendous brief and once I check-raised all-in on a T-6-2 flop, he discovered himself up towards among the best potential palms for the Queens, my Q-6, however one other 6 on the river sealed the deal for me.
Many seniors had deep runs in many of the occasions throughout the competition, however one of the best was saved till final when Derek Baker got here out on prime of a really robust Foremost Occasion last desk that featured 4 of Eire’s prime execs during the last decade. These execs included Cathal “Shinerr” Shine (who had an amazing competition general, taking down the 1k Excessive Curler and making two different last tables), Marc McDonnell, Tommy “LuckyMo” Geleziunas, and Ivan Tononi. Once I dropped down with 5 left, Derek informed me he wanted assist with simply 15 BBs, and that assist got here as he was on the fitting aspect of a few massive palms towards Cathal.
This time final yr, Derek and I discovered ourselves within the final three of the Seniors at this competition with Jay O’Toole. Because it dragged on longer than anticipated, Derek quipped that our caregivers have been turning into involved for us. Derek went on to have fairly the yr on the dwell felt, making so many last tables on the IPT circuit that he ended up qualifying for the leaderboard playoff on the finish of the yr.
Derek is a man who has been a well-liked determine on the circuit for so long as I’ve been taking part in, however he actually appears to have kicked on since dwell poker got here again after the COVID lockdown. Within the two years since, he has amassed virtually 5 instances as a lot cash in dwell cashes as he did within the ten years earlier than the pandemic.
Enjoyable instances on the tables
A lot of my overseas pals have been visiting Galway for the primary time, and all remarked on the exceptional craic and good spirits on the desk. I noticed a number of examples of the sharp Irish wit over the competition. At one level within the Foremost Occasion, I used to be seated beside the inimitable Dermot Allen. When Andy Black wandered over to speak to him, Dermot opened with: “I’d like to let you know you’re trying nicely Andy, however you’re not. You look shite. Get your self collectively, man.”
Later, final yr’s leaderboard winner Paul Carr wandered over for a chat with Dermot.
I seemed for Dara’s shirt and noticed you instantly”
“I used to be on the lookout for you, however couldn’t see you. Then your daughter mentioned, ‘he’s sitting beside Dara,’ so I seemed for Dara’s shirt and noticed you instantly.”
Much less fortunate was a scholar of mine, who informed Ciaran Cooney that he’d by no means met me in particular person. Scanning the room for the loudest shirt within the place, Ciaran shortly noticed it and pointed him in the fitting course, and off he went. Solely drawback was that it wasn’t me in one in all my shirts on this event, it was Colette “Smurph” Murphy in one in all her blouses!
Let’s discuss Smidge
The competition additionally featured the primary outing of EPT Prague champion Padraig “Smidge” O’Neill since his win there. Fintan and the IPT crew marked the event with a particular presentation to Eire’s first actual EPT champion (as I identified in my speech, Fintan, whereas getting the lion’s share of a chop at EPT Barcelona, didn’t get the trophy, and as a lot as all of us love Steve O’Dwyer, he himself would admit he’s about as Irish as Fortunate Charms).
somebody I’ve at all times admired as a participant, however most significantly as an individual
Most of my speech lamented the truth that I wasn’t in Prague, as had I been, I might certainly have had a share within the million he gained within the type of a swap. Genuinely although, I discovered myself tearing up as I spoke about somebody I’ve recognized because the begin of each of our careers, and somebody I’ve at all times admired as a participant, however most significantly as an individual. I’ll have a full interview with Smidge right here quickly.
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