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Simon Wilson Wins 2025 Irish Poker Open in Front of Home Crowd
Local player banks $687k in record-breaking event at Royal Dublin Society.
On Easter Monday, 22-year-old Simon Wilson won the 2025 Irish Poker Open, etching his name into Irish poker history and banking $687,000. The event was held at the Royal Dublin Society. It drew a staggering 4,562 entries, setting a new record for Europe’s longest-running poker tournament.
Key Details of the Event
- Event: 2025 PokerStars Irish Poker Open Main Event
- Location: Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland
- Buy-in: €1,150 (~$1,300)
- Entries: 4,562
- Prize Pool: €4,447,950 (~$4.75 million)
- First Prize: €600,000 (~$687,000)
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
| 1 | Simon Wilson | Ireland | $687,000 |
| 2 | Umberto Ruggeri | Italy | $361,800 |
| 3 | Ignotas Kirsis | Lithuania | $257,600 |
| 4 | Georgios Skarparis | Cyprus | $194,600 |
| 5 | Michel Karim | Sweden | $148,850 |
| 6 | Brandon Harris | UK | $114,500 |
| 7 | Panteleimon Pontos | Greece | $88,750 |
| 8 | Robert Fluereci | Romania | $67,600 |
| 9 | Joe O’Donaill | Ireland | $52,440 |
How Wilson Seized the Title
Simon Wilson's path to victory at the 2025 Irish Poker Open was anything but linear. Instead, it was fueled by precision, patience, and a rowdy hometown crowd.
Wilson entered the final table fifth in chips. Swedish pro Michel Karim held the lead. Joe O’Donaill was the first to go, running 9♠9♣ into K♦K♣. Shortly after, Robert Fluereci followed, as his 7♦7♠ couldn’t hold against Brandon Harris’ A♠9♥.
At a critical moment, Wilson’s turning point came when he called Harris’ shove with A♦T♣ on a T-5-2 board. From that moment forward, the momentum shifted. Harris tabled J♠T♠, and Wilson’s kicker held for a crucial knockout. The hand gave Wilson a much-needed chip and confidence boost—and set the tone for what came next.
Swinging the Momentum
After his crucial hand against Harris, Simon Wilson’s 2025 Irish Poker Open win began to take shape with a 100-million chip pot against Kirsis. Incredibly, he rivered a straight with 8♣6♦ to beat two pair. Wilson followed that up by busting Georgios Skarparis with A♣6♣ against 7♥7♣ on an A-T-2 flop. A short time later, Wilson won a race with K♦9♠ to crack Kirsis’ 5♠5♦, setting the stage for heads-up play.
Wilson Seals the Deal
With a dominant stack, Wilson carried a 3:1 chip lead into heads-up play against Italy's Umberto Ruggeri and kept the pressure on. In the final hand, Ruggeri opened with A♦T♦, Wilson shoved with 6♦5♦, and the board ran out 7♣6♠3♠K♣2♥—pairing Wilson's six to lock up the title.
After securing the €600,000 top prize and keeping the Irish Poker Open trophy on home soil, Wilson called the moment “incredible,” telling PokerNews, “To win beside my friends and family—with my mum and dad watching at home—I can’t describe it.”
For more on how the action unfolded, check out the official coverage from PokerNews.
Why This Win Counts
Understandably, Simon Wilson’s win is one of the most high-profile Irish victories in recent years. The event's scale and the hometown setting made it even more memorable. His group of close friends–many of whom cashed in on 225/1 odds through PaddyPower–helped spark a festival atmosphere rarely seen on the European circuit.
The Irish Poker Open continues to grow in prestige, with this year’s field rivaling EPT events in both size and skill level. Wilson’s breakout win adds fresh momentum to Ireland’s poker scene and cements the Open’s place as a major stop on the international calendar.
What’s Next?
Wilson’s performance in Dublin, paired with a fifth-place finish in the €10,000 Super High Roller earlier in the series, ultimately pushed his total festival earnings past $725,000. With his eyes on the WSOP this summer and a return to college in the fall, the Ashbourne native is poised for an exciting chapter—both on and off the felt.
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Images: Danny Maxwell © Rational Intellectual Holdings Limited
