There’s a saying in Dublin’s gritty neighborhood of Ballymun: “Dreams are free – it’s the hustle that costs.” For Declan Rice, the dream began years ago, in backroom pub games and home games with friends, fueled by cheap pints and big talk. On April 1, 2025, that dream turned into a life-altering reality as Rice, a local lad through and through, outlasted a record-breaking 3,233 entries to claim the largest-ever Irish Poker Open Main Event title — and the coveted €312,500 payday that came with it.
What began as a modest €1,150 buy-in tournament at Dublin’s Royal Dublin Society (RDS) exploded into a celebration of European poker. This year’s edition shattered previous records, confirming the Irish Poker Open’s place among the biggest live events in Europe and capturing the spirit of poker in Ireland like never before.
Declan Rice: The Hometown Hero with a Grinder’s Spirit
Declan Rice wasn’t a household name coming into the tournament. A quiet grinder who balanced poker with a full-time job and family life, he had taken shots at mid-stakes events in the past but had never run deep in anything quite like this. However, as the Main Event progressed, Rice’s name kept showing up in chip counts — then on the feature table — and finally in the headlines.
What made his win especially sweet was the path he took. The final day was a mix of nerves, calculated aggression, and stoic patience — a classic underdog story, one that reminded many of poker’s golden age. In the end, he defeated Latvia’s formidable Aleksejs Ponakovs heads-up to secure the title. Ponakovs, known for his high-stakes prowess both live and online, walked away with €198,000 for his second-place finish — a respectable showing, but the spotlight firmly belonged to Rice.
Record Turnout & International Field Signal Poker’s Growth in Europe
The 2025 Irish Poker Open Main Event drew an astonishing 3,233 entries, the largest field in the tournament’s rich 43-year history. With a prize pool north of €3.1 million, it easily surpassed expectations and affirmed Ireland’s role in the global poker landscape. The field featured a mix of local Irish hopefuls, traveling grinders from across Europe, and a handful of American and South American pros chasing big payouts and prestigious titles.
This surge in participation speaks volumes about the ongoing growth of live poker across Europe. Events like this continue to draw interest from both recreational players and seasoned professionals, making it a focal point of poker in Europe.
Final Table Highlights
The final table was a diverse mix of nationalities and playing styles, but none could match Rice’s resilience. Known for his tight-aggressive play and ability to shift gears when needed, Rice turned up the heat at the right times. The heads-up battle with Ponakovs was a display of discipline and heart. In the final hand, Rice’s pocket queens held strong against Ponakovs’ suited connectors, bringing the rail to its feet in thunderous applause.
Here are the top finishes:
- 1st – Declan Rice (Ireland) – €312,500
- 2nd – Aleksejs Ponakovs (Latvia) – €198,000
- 3rd – Mark Davis (UK) – €139,000
- 4th – Tiago Da Silva (Portugal) – €100,000
- 5th – Julien Sitbon (France) – €75,000
What’s Next for Declan Rice?
After his win, Rice was visibly emotional during his winner’s interview. “I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a teenager playing five-euro games,” he said. “This isn’t just for me — it’s for everyone from Ballymun who ever believed in themselves.”
Rice plans to use part of his winnings to travel and play a few major stops on the European Poker Tour (EPT), but insists he’s not going to change overnight. “I’ll still be me. Still be Declan from Ballymun,” he said with a smile.
Final Thoughts: A Win for the People
Declan Rice’s victory isn’t just a feel-good story; it’s a symbol of what makes poker in Ireland so special. It’s the mix of grit, charm, and community. It’s the accessibility of the game — where a local guy with a dream can go toe-to-toe with world-class pros and come out on top.
For poker fans across the globe, especially those following the rise of poker in Europe, Rice’s win is a reminder of the magic that live poker still holds. The Irish Poker Open 2025 wasn’t just another tournament — it was a celebration of the people’s game.
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Source:
Poker.org – “A pipe dream? Local lad crushes largest-ever Irish Poker Open Main”
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