The Irish Open delivered once again. With a record-breaking field, electric atmosphere, and a massive €600,000 up top, it is no surprise this iconic event continues to shine as one of Europe’s premier poker festivals.
Despite recent efforts at anti-online poker regulations, Ireland is home to a passionate poker community, as evidenced by last winter’s Irish Poker Festival.
PokerStars ran a top-tier show this time around, and a huge congratulations goes to Simon Wilson, who outlasted the field to claim the title and the biggest payday of his career.
But amid the celebration, there is an important conversation quietly echoing through group chats and final table railbirds alike: are the payouts still fit for modern poker?
The short answer is no. And this is not a new issue.
I wrote about this exact topic eight years ago during the UKIPT stop at the Hippodrome in London. Back then, I pointed out how top-heavy structures penalized deep runs and created brutal payout cliffs. Fast forward to 2025, and despite all of poker’s evolution, we are having the same debate.
The Cliff That Sparked The Discussion
Let’s look at this year’s final table payouts. First place received €600,000, while second took home €316,000. A staggering €284,000 gap!
That is the kind of jump you would expect in a €50 nightly, not at one of Europe’s largest poker stages with elite-level competition.
Poker has grown. Fields are deeper, players are sharper, and the grind is more demanding than ever. It is time the payout structures evolved too, because they shape not just the money, but the quality of the endgame.
A New Payout Structure
Rather than just pointing out the problem, here is a revised final table payout that offers a more balanced distribution without reducing the total prize pool or dulling the prestige of first place.
| Position | Original Payout | Proposed Payout |
| 1st | € 600,000 | € 500,000 |
| 2nd | € 316,000 | € 330,000 |
| 3rd | € 225,000 | € 230,000 |
| 4th | € 170,000 | € 180,000 |
| 5th | € 130,000 | € 145,000 |
| 6th | € 100,000 | € 115,000 |
| 7th | € 77,500 | € 90,000 |
| 8th | € 59,000 | € 70,000 |
| 9th | € 45,800 | € 55,000 |
| 10th | € 36,700 | € 45,000 |
| Total | € 1,760,000 | € 1,760,000 |
Why This Structure Makes More Sense
- It softens the cliff
First place still gets a headline-worthy half-million, but second place receives a much fairer reward for navigating the same brutal field.
- It rewards the grind
Making the final table is not a fluke. Players who reach the top ten deserve more than just scraps.
- It encourages better poker
Smaller pay jumps lead to less ICM-related stalling. Players make clearer, more confident decisions without fear-based play.
- It reduces deal pressure
When the payout curve is more even, players are more likely to play it out rather than negotiate deals based on survival math.
- It builds trust
Today’s regulars are sharp. They value fairness and transparency. A balanced payout structure shows organizers are listening.
Poker is not just about who wins the final hand. It is about surviving brutal fields, making smart decisions under pressure, and showing up when it counts. If we want the game to keep growing, we need to start valuing depth and consistency more than just crowning one hero.
The Irish Open remains a cornerstone of European poker. With just a few thoughtful adjustments, it can also become a leader in setting a new, fairer standard for tournament payouts.
Let us build on that momentum and keep the game moving forward.
Bobby James is a professional poker player, European Poker Tour champion, and one of the game’s leading strategy minds. He specializes in tournament analysis, player advocacy, and the evolution of competitive poker.
*Photo – PokerStars
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— CoinPoker (@CoinPoker_OFF) October 29, 2024