David Docherty Parlays Satellite Ticket into $398K and Irish Poker Open Title
The famous Irish Poker Open came to a conclusion on Monday after Scotland’s David Docherty defeated a tough final table that included Ireland’s own Andy Black.
Europe’s longest-running Texas Hold’em poker tournament got underway last week and, as usual, the craic played out over the Easter weekend. With PokerStars and Paddy Power serving as this year’s sponsors, hundreds of qualifiers won their way into the €1,150 tournament via satellites, including Docherty.
From Satellite to Irish Poker Open Glory
He won his seat via a $109 satellite on PokerStars and parlayed that into his second major title and $365,000 in prize money. To do that, Docherty had to navigate through a field of 2,491 entrants.
That makes the 2023 Irish Poker Open the biggest tournament ever held in Ireland. The record field also meant Docherty had to beat some of Europe’s top players, including Irish World Series of Poker legend Andy Black, to scoop the lion’s share of a €2.4 million prize pool.
2023 Irish Poker Open Result
- David Docherty - €365,000 ($398,780)
- Declan Rice - €228,700 ($249,866)
- Panagiotis Mavritsakis - €161,500 ($176,446)
- Tom Waters - €124,500 ($136,022)
- Andy Black - €95,500 ($104,338)
- Eugeniu Barbaros - €73,500 ($80,302)
- Carl Shaw - €56,500 ($61,729)
- Henri Ojala - €43,500 ($47,525)
Docherty’s Irish Poker Open win might be his biggest win to date, but he’s no stranger to success. The Scottish pro has been cashing in live events since 2009, as well as online MTTs. However, his career took off in 2021 when he secured his first six-figure score by winning GUKPT Luton.
Docherty followed that with a win in the 2022 France Poker Series Divonne High Roller before a seventh-place finish in the EPT London main event netted him $117,238. With his confidence and results at an all-time high, Docherty entered the 2023 Irish Poker Open riding a wave of momentum.
Docherty Dominates Irish Poker Open
Docherty actually won two seats on PokerStars and used one (unsuccessfully) on Day 1A. With another bullet in the chamber, he re-entered on Day 1B and things went a lot better. He used that to end Day 1B as the chip leader.
From there, he remained a threat through Monday’s final table. Although all eyes were on Ireland’s second-highest earner, Andy Black, Docherty didn’t let the occasion get to him
Indeed, with the Irish Poker Open one of Europe’s biggest events, there was more than prize money on the line. Despite the pressure, Docherty played it smart, even in the face of an onslaught from Declan Rice.
Rice pushed the pace at every opportunity and took multiple scalps during the April 10 final table. However, after one too many moves, Rice was put on the back foot by Docherty. The deciding hand came when chip leader Docherty moved all in with K♥ 10♥.
A short-stacked Rice had little option but to call from the big blind with J♠ 2♣. Two live cards were the best Rich could hope for, and his fortunes improved as the flop ran out 8♥ 6♣ 2♦. Unfortunately for Rice, a comeback was thwarted by a double-paired board.
The 8♣ on the turn and 6♠ on the river counterfeited Rice’s pair of deuces, which meant Docherty scooped the final pot. With that, Docherty secured the 2023 Irish Poker Open winner’s trophy and a massive return on his investment.
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