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PokerStars Launches Shamrock Showdown for Irish Poker Open 2025

PokerStars Launches Shamrock Showdown for Irish Poker Open 2025
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Iva Dozet News Editor
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: April 3, 2025 · 3 minutes to read

The Irish Poker Open has never not delivered big fields, big characters, and a healthy dose of chaos. This year, PokerStars is leaning into that chaos with something new — and a bit unhinged.

Introducing the Shamrock Showdown, a team competition that takes place across the felt and far beyond it. Six teams, each led by a PokerStars Ambassador or a GRND crew member, will compete not just in poker tournaments, but also in lip sync battles, fancy dress dares, Irish food challenges, and whatever else PokerStars dreams up.

Think of this as poker with a game show twist. The teams are drafted, the points system is in place, and yes — there are SCOOP tickets on the line for spectators too. Here’s how it works.

What is the Shamrock Showdown?

At its core, the Shamrock Showdown is a six-team PokerStars contest running alongside the 2025 Irish Poker Open, held April 10–21 at the Royal Dublin Society. Teams earn points in ten designated poker tournaments and through a series of off-the-table challenges. The goal? Rack up the most points by the end of the festival.

Points from tournaments are awarded like this:

PlacePoints
1100 points
250 points
330 points
420 points
510 points
60 points

Each Shamrock Showdown team can also send players into side contests, ranging from darts and dance-offs to drag shows. These challenges are optional, but once completed by one team member, they’re crossed off like a bingo square.

The Ten Showdown Tournaments

  • €1,150 Mystery Bounty
  • €250 Mini Irish Open
  • €1,150 Main Event
  • €350 6-Max
  • €1,150 8-Max (#31)
  • €350 Heads-Up
  • €350 H.O.R.S.E.
  • €350 PLO 6-Max
  • €550 Mystery Bounty
  • €550 JP Poker Masters

Not all players need to enter every event, and team captains will be juggling both poker performance and who’s best suited for a lipsync battle at 2am. Strategy matters—but so does swagger.

Shamrock Showdown Benjamin Spragg
Benjamin Spragg
Parker “Tonkaaaa” Talbot Shamrock Showdown
Parker “Tonkaaaa” Talbot

Meet the Shamrock Showdown Teams

TeamCaptainPlayersCommunity Winner
SpraggyBenjamin SpraggJoe Bold, Rory Jennings, Adam McKola, Karen Muir (Irish Open Ambassador), TBCBernard Paul Norris (Canada)
FintanFintan HandKevin Killeen, Steve Warburton, Marc McDonald, Ricky Frey, Brian Morgan (Irish Open Ambassador)Norbert Madaras (Hungary)
MarleMarle SpraggCaitlin Comeskey, Conor Beresford, Jack Hardcastle, Leo Worthington, Chris Dowling (Irish Open Ambassador)James McLaren (UK)
WisternLasse “Wistern” Jagd LauritsenSebastian Huber, Cameron Sinclair, Iosif-Daniel Spulber, Georgina “GJReggie” James, Tim Silman (Irish Open Ambassador)Daniel Atthey (UK)
TonkaaaaParker TalbotNiall Farrell, Elizabeth Bennett Martin (Irish Open Ambassador), TBC x3Christopher Michael Robinson (UK)
GRNDFelix SchneidersDavid Docherty, Fabian Bartuschk, Min Sung Lee, Jörg Schneegas, Raphael Verdugo (Irish Open Ambassador)Dominic Krattiger (Switzerland)

Tonkaaaa is still filling out his roster, with spots going to players bold enough to take on the unknown — whether that’s an Irish delicacy or a dare on stream. If you’re in Dublin and up for it, keep your eyes on his socials.

Back a Team, Win SCOOP Tickets

PokerStars is also giving railbirds a reason to tune in. Players who aren’t part of a Shamrock Showdown team can still get involved through a Pick the Winner promo. Here’s how it works:

  1. Choose a team you think will win.
  2. Watch that captain’s stream or social media for a hidden password.
  3. Register for that team’s All-In Shoot Out between March 28 – April 15.

Only the freeroll for the winning Shamrock Showdown team will actually run (on April 22). The others will be cancelled. Shoot outs are automatic — no need to play a single hand.

Prizes in the winning freeroll:

PlacePrize
1st$320 SCOOP ticket
2nd–3rd$215 ticket
4th–6th$109 ticket
7th–11th$55 ticket
12th–21st$33 ticket
22nd–31st$22 ticket
32nd–41st$11 ticket

So, What’s the Deal with the Emerald Pass?

Some players made it onto these teams via direct invite — but others earned their seat by winning an Emerald Pass through ambassador livestreams and social contests.

The Emerald Edition Silver Pass is a boosted $2,500 package that includes:

  • €1,150 Irish Open Main Event buy-in
  • €350 side event
  • €250 Mini Irish Open ticket
  • Remaining value in expenses
  • Irish Open merch and event support

Each team has one pass winner already locked in, but some ambassadors are still running giveaways this week. Keep your eyes peeled.

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