This will be the first year the two poker events are combined
The Irish Poker Open is making room for greater inclusivity this year by officially adding the Irish Deaf Poker Championship to its schedule. This marks the first time the deaf poker event will be part of the main Irish Poker Open series, taking place in Dublin from April 10 to 21. The championship will run from April 10 to 12 and is listed as Event 3, with a $200 buy-in and the option for one reentry.
Darren Chow, the first official ambassador for the Irish Open Deaf Championship, will host the event. Chow, a Canadian player with strong ties to the deaf poker community, made a name for himself by reaching the final stages of the 2024 Irish Deaf Poker Championship and collecting two cashes at the Irish Poker Open the same year. For him, the event is about more than just competition—it’s about bringing people together and creating a space where all players feel welcome.
To help ensure accessibility, organizers are taking several steps to make communication easier for deaf participants. LED screens will be used throughout the event to provide real-time updates like chip counts and flight levels. The PokerStars Live App will also serve as a hub for tournament info. On the final day, a sign language interpreter will be available to assist with floor decisions and player interviews.
This addition comes as the Irish Poker Open expands its calendar, offering more tournaments and bigger guarantees than ever, including a €1 million prize pool for the Main and Mini Main Events. The championship for deaf players is one of several efforts by the organizers to highlight diversity in the poker scene.
The event signals growing support for deaf poker worldwide, with more tournaments on the horizon, including the upcoming World Deaf Poker Championship in Las Vegas later this year.
