Party Poker ventures into Ireland

Party Poker, aided by Irish events company Pokerevents.ie is gearing up for its first first major tournament sponsorship in Ireland and Europe's first major tournament of 2008.

The Irish Poker Championship 2008, will be held at the Radisson Hotel & Spa, Galway, Ireland, from January 3 to January 6, 2008 with up to 400 players expected to ante-up the Euro 2 000 buy-in (9 percent withheld). The tournament will be recorded for six hour-long broadcasts on RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcaster, and will be distributed internationally.

Players who have indicated an intention to participate include recent WSOP bracelet winner Ciaran O'Leary, Padraig Parkinson, Robert Williamson III and Bruno Fitoussi.

The schedule for the event is:

Thursday 3rd January 2008

Super Satellite - Euro 200 + Euro 20

Friday 4th January 2008

Main Event Day 1 - Euro 2 000 (9 percent withheld) no limit hold'em freezeout

Saturday 5th January 2008

Main Event Day 2 - Euro 2 000
Supporting Event - Euro 800 + Euro 80 no limit hold'em freezeout

Sunday 6th January 2008

Main Event Day 3 - Euro 2 000
Supporting Event - Euro 400 + Euro 40 no limit hold'em freezeout

The event is in its third year and organisers Pokerevents.ie comment: "This great value festival of poker attracts all levels of player from professional, to intermediate, to novice. It offers a deep-stacked, slow-structure game as well as an array of attractive side events. It is great to have a big sponsor on board.

"The venue is great, overlooking Galway Bay, and is sure to make for a fantastic weekend of quality poker and fun in a unique Irish atmosphere. Galway is easily accessible by road, rail, and air and has a unique culture of arts, music, literature, history, and 'craic' and is perfectly suited as a location for Europe's most alluring boutique poker festival."

A PartyPoker.com spokesman said "We're very pleased to sponsor this well established, highly regarded tournament and Ireland is a great country for poker with an amazing pedigree. "

Over 500 qualifying satellites are being held in pubs and clubs across Ireland with dozens more starting online from PartyPoker in the near future.