For the Irish poker players there can surely be nothing more exciting than the prospect of taking part in the Irish Open which is being held this year in Dublin from April 22 to 25. The Irish Poker Open is the longest running tournament in Europe and this year the prize money promises to be even more than last year’s €2.2 million with the winner walking away with more than €600,000. You can of course buy your way into this tournament if you happen to have €3200 plus €300 available for that purpose but the cheaper way is to participate in one of the many online poker qualifying tournaments which are available at both Paddy Power and Ladbrokes. Ladbrokes are offering packages which include the buy in as well as €1275 travel and spending money and 5 nights at the venue, The Burlington Hotel; daily qualifiers for this event are already underway on Ladbrokes Poker from just €3. Monthly finals take place on the last Sunday of the month at 18:30 GMT, guaranteeing two Irish Open packages worth €5,500 each. At Paddy Power they are running once again “Sole Survivor” which means a prize of €100,000 to the qualifier who last longest in the tournament in addition to any prize money that might be won. Poker gambling has never been so simple with qualifying events taking place every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with entry fees from €20 to €200. If that is too steep try the “cheap seats promotion” also at Paddy Power where if you can win one of the daily €2 or €4 cheap seats tournaments you will be entered into the cheap seats grand final with an Irish Open seat up for grabs. This really is a great time for gambling on poker.