Irish Open to broadcast live on TV

The 25th annual Irish Open poker tournament will broadcast its 6-player final table live on Sky Sports 2 at 9:30 p.m. on Monday, April 17 (Easter Monday), it was announced yesterday. The €1 million guaranteed event will be filmed before a select VIP audience at a secret location in Dublin, Ireland, where the tournament is taking place. The transmission will be the first of its kind from Ireland.

The majority of the Irish Open will be played out at Jurys Ballsbridge Hotel during the Festival of Poker from April 14-17. Known as one of the richest events on the international poker circuit, the tournament will see an additional €50,000 in sponsorship money added to the prize pool.

Organizers are expecting top players from Ireland, Britain, Europe, and the United States to compete in the championship, which begins on Saturday, April 15, at 4 p.m. Live qualifying satellites will be held in casinos throughout the U.K. and Europe. Players can buy-in directly to the main event for €3,200.

The Irish Open is one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious No-Limit Hold'em tournaments. Past competitors have included the legendary Stu Ungar as well as Amarillo Slim Preston and Doyle Brunson.