Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs)
An MTT is the classic tournament format: hundreds or thousands of players each pay a fixed buy-in plus rake. All entries go into a prize pool, and play continues across multiple tables until one player holds all the chips. At that point the prize money is distributed — typically 10–15% of the field gets paid, with the top finishers earning multiples of their buy-in.
MTTs are high-variance events. Even in a soft field, the best player in the world will often cash in fewer than half their entries. What makes them compelling is the potential for enormous returns: a €10 tournament might pay €5,000 to the winner. This combination of accessibility and upside drives massive participation.
Blind structure matters enormously. A deep-stack structure with long levels (40–60 minutes per blind level and 100+ big blind starting stacks) rewards patient, skilled play. Turbo and hyper-turbo structures increase luck by forcing earlier all-in situations.
Sit & Go Tournaments
A Sit & Go starts as soon as enough players register — no need to wait for a scheduled time. The standard format is 9-handed with payouts to the top three: 50% first, 30% second, 20% third. 6-max and heads-up SNGs are also popular.
SNGs are easier to plan around — a typical 9-handed SNG takes 45–90 minutes. The strategy is relatively predictable: play tight in the early stages conserving chips, shift to push-or-fold mode once stacks shrink relative to the blinds (around 10–15 big blinds), and apply ICM pressure near the bubble (the last position not in the money).
ICM — the Independent Chip Model — is the mathematical framework underpinning late-stage SNG decisions. Because finishing in the top three pays the same regardless of chip count at that point, there are situations where calling an all-in with a chip lead is a negative ICM decision even with a mathematically favourite hand.
Bounty and PKO Tournaments
Progressive Knockout (PKO) tournaments place a bounty on each player's head. When you eliminate a player, you win half their current bounty and add the other half to your own. This creates incentive to pursue eliminations aggressively, dramatically altering optimal strategy (calling ranges widen significantly when you can win a bounty).
PKOs have grown to represent a large share of online tournament traffic because they produce action and reduce the tendency toward passive bubble play. For beginners, they can be more fun and forgiving than pure prize pool structures.
Satellite Qualifiers
A satellite is a tournament where the prize is an entry ticket to a larger event rather than cash. Online satellites let Irish players qualify for major live events — the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, the European Poker Tour (EPT), or the Irish Poker Open — at a fraction of the direct buy-in.
Satellite strategy differs from standard tournament play. Because places (not spots) are the prize, the optimal goal is often to survive rather than accumulate. Near the bubble, with equal stacks, the Nash equilibrium suggests extreme passivity from all players. Understanding this dynamic separates good satellite players from those who donk off chips chasing irrelevant edges in a winner-take-prizes format.
Tournament Tips for Irish Players
- Start at micro-stakes: €1–€5 buy-in MTTs provide valuable experience without meaningful financial risk.
- Treat your first 100 tournaments as learning: variance is so high that short-term results carry little signal.
- Study the ICM: it governs 20–30% of the decisions in an average SNG and many in MTT end games.
- Review final table hands: late-stage play (20–30 players remaining) is where the most money is made or lost relative to expectations.
- Manage your time: a deep run in an MTT can last 6+ hours. Don't register for a large field event at 11pm on a work night.
Also available: GRAI-licensed bookmaker →
Frequently Asked Questions
Major Poker Tournaments in Ireland
| Tournament | Location | When | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Open (IPSC) | Citywest Hotel, Dublin | March/April | €2,200 Main Event, multiple side events |
| UKIPT Dublin | Various venues | Varies | PokerStars-sponsored tour stop |
| Fitz Poker Series | Fitzwilliam Card Club, Dublin | Multiple dates | Regular series throughout the year |
| Macau Card Club Series | Macau Card Club, Dublin | Monthly | Local series, smaller fields |
| Merit Poker Ireland | Varies | Annual | International field event |
Online Poker in Ireland: Legal and Licensed Options
- Online poker is legal in Ireland — players can access internationally licensed sites
- Under GRAI, remote gaming licences (covering poker) are expected from 2027–2028; until then, offshore licensing applies
- Major platforms available to Irish players: PokerStars, 888poker, GGPoker, partypoker
- Irish players are eligible for Sunday Major tournaments and Micro Stakes games on all major platforms
- Payments: most poker sites accept Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill and Neteller from Irish accounts
- Tax: Poker winnings are not taxed in Ireland as gambling winnings — but professional players may be subject to income tax
18+ only. Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753 · gamblingcare.ie
MTT stands for Multi-Table Tournament. Players pay a fixed buy-in and compete across multiple tables until one player holds all the chips. The prize pool is distributed among the top finishers, typically the top 10–15%.
A Sit and Go (SNG) starts as soon as enough players register — no scheduled start time. Usually 6 or 9 players, with payouts going to the top 2–3 spots. Fast and predictable in structure.
ICM (Independent Chip Model) converts chip counts into their monetary value given the prize structure. Near the bubble or at the final table, chips are worth less than their face value because prize jumps matter. ICM shapes calling and shoving decisions.
A satellite is a tournament where the prize is a ticket to a larger event rather than cash. Online satellites are a cost-effective way to qualify for major events like the WSOP or EPT at a fraction of the direct buy-in.
Tournament blinds increase at regular intervals (levels), steadily pressuring players to accumulate chips. The structure — how fast levels increase and the starting stack relative to the big blind — determines how much skill vs. luck the tournament rewards.