Dublin wins Bluff Europe’s European Poker Capital of the Year Award

September 3, 2008

Online Poker Press Release: (London, UK) - Dublin has been awarded the title of European Poker Capital 2008 by Bluff Europe Magazine. The Irish capital piped last year’s winner, London, to the post — with Vienna, Amsterdam and Barcelona named third, fourth and fifth places respectively. Bluff Europe praised Dublin’s lively and friendly poker scene, as well as the wealth of poker clubs and tournaments available to the poker playing public.

Dublin has a fine selection of card rooms and, poker is also growing steadily on a grassroots level in the city through poker societies and pub poker leagues. Each year exciting new tournaments spring up with buy-ins to suit all pockets. Dublin is also home to the Irish Open, the oldest and most revered tournament in Europe.

Last year’s contest saw Dublin come in a respectable second to London but this year the Irish capital was the city that most impressed the Bluff Europe panel. “Last year, in recognition of the inaugural WSOPE and the general health of its burgeoning poker scene, we chose London as the place to be. This induced a lot of snickering from across the Irish Sea, where they’re rightfully very protective of their fantastic poker scene,” said Philip Conneller, Editor of Bluff Europe. “But this year there was really only one candidate.”

“Gentleman” Liam Flood, who has been a stalwart of Irish poker since he helped introduce Hold’em to the Emerald Isle in the Seventies, was delighted with the news. “It’s because of the craic,” he explained, when asked him to describe what he felt was special about poker in Dublin. “There’s a sense of community. We find that a few drinks after the game helps you relax, too.”

All data compiled by editors at Bluff Europe - Europe’s leading poker magazine.