Memories of Killarney
Throughout my poker career, the Killarney Poker Festival holds a special place in my heart as a source of memorable experiences. One instance that stands out is when I traveled southwest to participate in my first event, just a day after making my TV poker debut. Unfortunately, I lost heads-up to a boxer who seemed unfamiliar with hand rankings and the concept of a straight. Another significant memory is from 2010 when I found myself in the final of a heads-up event at the Lakes of Killarney, once again ending up as the runner-up.
One unforgettable moment was witnessing a young local player dominate the Main Event final table, surprising the local poker community who had never seen him before. It turned out that the player, Cathal Shine, was known as the online beast “Shinerr,” a mysterious figure who was a formidable force in the Irish online poker scene.
Two-tabling live…sort of
Six years later, I experienced one of the most memorable days in my poker career at Killarney. I had played an online Day 1 for the Grand Prix the Sunday before the festival, qualifying for the live final day despite the small field of 19 players. However, I also found myself at the final table of the WPT National event, leading to a unique challenge of balancing both tournaments. I had to double up quickly in the Grand Prix during breaks from the WPT to avoid being blinded out.
Facing the pressure of time, I adopted a strategy of playing many hands cautiously to maintain my stack. With minutes left on my break, I managed to secure a crucial double-up, allowing me to race back to the WPT final table. Despite the intense situation, I navigated through the challenges and made significant moves to accumulate chips before heading back to the WPT event.
Deja vu
In 2018, I found myself in a familiar situation at Killarney as I reached the heads-up stage of the High Roller event against Upeshka Da Silva, who had previously defeated me in a WSOP bracelet event in Vegas. Although I had a sense of deja vu, the outcome was not in my favor this time. The following year, I arrived at Killarney with low morale after a tough year in live poker but managed to make a comeback by reaching the Main Event final table, kickstarting a positive change in my fortunes.
Despite my optimism, the latest Killarney Poker Festival was not as successful for me in terms of results. However, I took solace in the achievements of my students and friends who secured significant wins and cashes throughout the festival. Their successes brought a sense of pride and joy amidst my own setbacks.
Yet another great IPT stop
Despite facing challenges and setbacks during the festival, I enjoyed my time in Killarney, taking moments to appreciate the beauty of the National Park with friends. The launch of www.simplifypoker.com during the festival marked a significant milestone for me and Barry Carter, receiving positive feedback from the poker community. I also acknowledged the growth of ladies events at IPT stops, with the record attendance in the ladies event at the festival reflecting the increasing popularity of such tournaments.
Looking ahead, the IPT continues its journey to Clonmel before the highly anticipated Irish Poker Festival at the Intercontinental in Dublin. With a prestigious Main Event lined up, featuring renowned players like Michel Molenaar and Niall Farrell, the event promises to be a highlight in the Irish poker calendar.