The second paddypowerpoker.com Christmas Cracker saw 117 of Ireland’s finest poker princes and princesses congregate in Dublin’s Sporting Emporium on 9 December to carve up the tasty €63,500 prize pool.

paddypowerpoker.com gifted players an early Christmas treat by paying the registration fees for the €500 buy-in event and adding €5,000 to the prize pool.

The great, the good and occasional not-so-good of Irish poker turned out in numbers for the best value tournament of the season including Andy Black, Sideshow Bob, Dave Masters, Len Collin, Eoghan O’Dea and Tony Cooney.

English nightclub impresario turned poker man-about-town ‘Catman’ attended the event and got an object lesson in the cunning nature of Irish poker.

Writing in UK Poker News the loquacious Londoner said, “Let me tell you, the Irish are not totally mad gamblers; it might be the Viking in them but they are tactically excellent. Never be fooled, their hospitality and charm is a tactical weapon in their aim to enjoy taking your every last cent.”

Unfortunately for Catman he did lose every last cent, exiting a few hours into the event. However, he did manage to outlast 2005 WSOP main event finalist Andy Black whose aggressive quest to build a stack of chips saw him bust out in the first few hands.

Another early casualty was a moderately well known Big Brother ‘star’ who did not wish to be named. Presumably because his poker skills were merely sufficient to allow him limp along to just after the first break.

Last year’s winner Harold Huberman shoehorned his way into the cash again, finishing 11th but when the last flop fell it was paddypowerpoker.com regular Rory Rees Brennan who reigned victorious, taking home €17,950 and first place after a full 16 hours of pulsating poker.

John O’Shea took second place from a strong final table which included Michael Frisby, Lloyd O’Farrell and the irrepressible Kieran Walsh.

Final Results:

1st: €17950 Rory Rees Brennan

2nd: €15000 John O'Shea

3rd: €8050 Tom Nolan

4th: €6000 Michael Frisby

5th: €5000 Kieran Walsh

6th: €2500 Tim Farrelly

7th: €2000 Michael Hoey

8th: €1500 Lloyd O’Farrell

9th: €1000 Julie O'Leary