Recap #5: Final Winners and a New Champion Crowned at the Irish Open 2025

Simon Wilson Wins Record-Breaking Irish Open Main Event

Simon Wilson is the newest name etched in Irish Open history, capturing the biggest-ever Irish Open 2025 Main Event title for €600,000. With a field of 4,562 entries and a prize pool of €4,447,950, this was Ireland’s largest poker tournament ever. Wilson navigated his way through four days of carnage and chaos, ultimately defeating Umberto Ruggeri heads-up in front of a raucous home crowd.

The final day began with 19 hopefuls, but Wilson steadily climbed the ranks, eliminating Brandon Harris and Georgios Skarparis to take the chip lead into three-handed play. After Ignotas Kirsis fell in third, Wilson and Ruggeri traded pots for a while — but no deal was made.

In the final hand, Ruggeri opened his short stack with ace-seven suited, only to be met by a shove from Wilson holding six-five suited. Ruggeri called and both rails erupted in anticipation. The dealer spread a flop that brought Wilson a pair and a flush draw. A second five on the turn sealed it, ending Ruggeri’s run in second place and crowning Wilson the champion.

Amid chants of “You gotta pump it up,” Wilson soaked in the moment with his massive rail. “It’s really special,” he said.

In an interview with PokerListings, Wilson was visibly emotional: “I’m still so gobsmacked. It’s just incredible — the highlight of my career. Just to win something of this magnitude surrounded by friends, family, everything.” He reflected on a pivotal moment at the final table when he spiked a gutshot straight — “You know how these final tables go, it can come down to one big pot. Thankfully, I’ve been here before, and I was happy with how I handled it.”

As for the celebrations?

His brother, part of the huge rail behind Wilson, told us: “I’m absolutely stunned, just over the moon for Simon. He’s so determined — if he sets his mind to something, he’ll do it no matter what. I’d say there were easily 90 people there supporting him.”

Final Table – Irish Open 2025 Main Event

Place	Player	Country	Prize
1st	Simon Wilson		€600,000
2nd	Umberto Ruggeri		€316,000
3rd	Ignotas Kirsis		€223,000
4th	Georgios Skarparis		€167,000
5th	Michel Karim		€130,000
6th	Brandon Harris		€100,000
7th	Panteleimon Pontos		€77,500
8th	Robert Fluereci		€60,000
9th	Joe O’Donaill		€45,800

Endrit Geci Wins 8-Max Turbo – And Becomes a Dad

It’s safe to say Endrit Geci had the wildest week of anyone at the Irish Open 2025. After welcoming his newborn daughter in a nearby Dublin hospital earlier in the week, he capped things off by winning the €1,150 8-Max Turbo for €56,143. The tournament drew 270 players and saw fast-paced action from start to finish.

Geci ran hot at the final table, eliminating Jon Kyte and Patrick White with strong hands before defeating Michael Khan heads-up. His ace-five outdrew Khan’s ace-seven, thanks to a fortuitous five on both the flop and turn. “The new dad run-good is real,” Geci said, grinning ear to ear.

Final Table – Irish Open 2025 €1,150 8-Max Turbo

Place	Player	Country	Prize
1st	Endrit Geci		€56,143
2nd	Michael Khan		€35,350
3rd	Patrick White		€25,250
4th	Dinesh Alt		€19,400
5th	Pascal Vos		€14,950

Javier Francort Completes PLO Hat-Trick

Javier Francort ended his Irish Open 2025 with an incredible third PLO title, winning the €550 PLO 6-Max for €20,950. After previous wins in the €1,150 7-Max and the €550 4/5/6 PLO, the Dutchman powered through a 184-player field and used a crucial triple-up (aces vs. kings vs. queens) to take control at the final table.

He eliminated multiple players down the stretch, including Paul Haycock heads-up, and said he was “overwhelmed” by the achievement. “I have to thank Monster,” he joked, “I’ve been drinking them all week.”

Final Table – Irish Open 2025 €550 PLO 6-Max

Place	Player	Country	Prize
1st	Javier Francort		€20,950
2nd	Paul Haycock		€13,100
3rd	Ali Sarkeshik		€9,350
4th	Paul Newsome		€7,200
5th	Jarkko Suokas		€5,550

Henning Wendlandt Wins PLO Mystery Bounty for €76,600

Henning Wendlandt had to navigate a 243-entry field and a flurry of eliminations to win the €1,150 PLO 8-Max Mystery Bounty — and he did it in style. With bounties in play and €248,832 up for grabs, the German came in hot on Day 2 and never looked back. Wendlandt bagged the biggest envelope (€26,400) and ran the table when it mattered, ultimately finishing with a full house in the final hand to beat Fagundes Borges’ draws.

The late stages of the tournament saw multiple double eliminations as players rushed for bounties. Wendlandt held the chip lead coming into the final table and stayed in control throughout. He made crucial knockouts at key moments and used his stack to apply maximum pressure.

Final Table – Irish Open 2025 €1,150 PLO 8-Max Mystery Bounty

Place	Player	Country	Prize (Incl. Bounties)
1st	Henning Wendlandt		€76,600
2nd	Fagundes Borges		€23,300
3rd	Bouwe Claushuis		€21,700
4th	Vahid Amirzahiri		€23,900
5th	Balazs Somodi		€9,400

Bendinelli Bounces Back Again to Win NLH Mystery Bounty

Three years after his famous single-big-blind comeback at EPT Barcelona, Giuliano Bendinelli was at it again — this time winning Event #63 NLH Mystery Bounty after starting the final day as the shortest stack. He got there with deuces versus tens on the first hand and never looked back, defeating Jack Moore heads-up.

Bendinelli’s trophy joins a very full cabinet, but the Italian still celebrated like it was his first. Jamie Dwan, who won the €44,000 top bounty, took home the largest payday overall (€76,700).

Final Table – Irish Open 2025 Event #63 NLH Mystery Bounty

Place	Player	Country	Prize
1st	Giuliano Bendinelli		€52,300
2nd	Jack Moore		€35,600
3rd	Baris Topuz		€30,600
4th	Jamie Dwan		€76,700
5th	Joseph Mullen		€14,700

Photo Credit: Evelyn Rom, Danny Maxwell & Brian Oh Eideain