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Liam Flood, Tournament Director for The Irish Poker Open, takes time out of his hectic schedule to answer a few questions about the event, the state of poker in Ireland, and his big, loud mouth.

TB: The Irish Poker Open is the longest running professional poker tour outside of the WSOP- was founded in 1981 by Terry Rogers. Rogers had befriended Binion, Brunson and Moss, and was determined to bring the excitement and spectacle of the WSOP, Irish style, home to the Emerald Isle. As the Tournament Director of such a prestigious event, how much does the history of the Open weigh on you when making decisions as part of your role?

Liam Flood: It is very important to me that everything is good as we have built it up over the years with good rules and rulings. After all we have built it up over 26 years; in 1984 we had 36 players -last year we had 339 and hopefully this year it will be about 600. Players only come back because they know that it will be run properly and they can enjoy playing the tournament and not worrying about which rules are being used.


TB: You are no poker slouch yourself- in fact, congratulations are in order for your victory at the PartyPoker.com European Open! You are quoted in a report that you were not entirely confident going into the final table- were you surprised at the win?

LF: Thank you. I am never confident going into any final as anything can happen. In that final I thought that I had a good chance if I played proper poker and I did. The final went to plan--I doubled up against the chip leader and another player knocked out Phippa Flanders.


TB: Your history with the Irish Poker Open stretches back to the very beginning- could you tell our readers a bit about that history, and how you ended up as Tournament Director?

LF: Terry was a stickler for rules we went to Las Vegas every year from 1985 -we learned the rules from Eric Drache who was TD for the WSOP at that time. There is a reason for EVERY RULE for the good of the game.


TB: There can be no doubt many UK heavy hitters will be in the running (a quick look at the Paddy Power betting site puts Martin De Knijff, Roland de Wolf and Dave Ulliott at 80-1, with Simon Trumper, Andy Black and Roy Brindley slightly behind at 100-1); do the pros get any special treatment at big events like this, or are they just another "paying customer?"

LF: Some of the pros think THEY ARE GODS but all players are treated the same in Dublin, but we do treat the winner of the Irish open AS A GOD. If you can win in Dublin you can win anywhere.


TB: Speaking of the betting odds on pro players, do you know if any of them are aware of their odds? Perhaps Andy puts a bundle down on Roland just to hedge his bet?

LF: I think most pros know their odds. Generally they would not back themselves--unless the odds compiler made a mistake then they or one of their friends might take advantage. Some times pros would swap maybe 2%of themselves with another player. 1ST PRIZE IS GUARENTEED 550000 EURO.


TB: UK players and European players are to be expected, but what about US players? Do many besides a handful of the pros make it out to test their skills?

LF: WE ARE HOPING FOR 5 OR 6 AMERICANS. Chad Browne, Jesse Jones and Mike Sexton have signed up so far. If it is a success maybe we will get more next year.


TB: In the official rules, it states that "Tables will start with 10 players and as players are knocked out they will revert to tables of 9." Why the need to go to 9 players?

LF: In the 80s it was always 9 handed I think 9 handed is a purer and better game of NLH.


TB: Do players tow the line with you as Tournament Director, thanks to your status as "Irish Poker Legend?"

LF: Yes the players know I will not stand for any messing and I have a big LOUD MOUTH that every body can hear.


TB: Much of the emphasis on the Irish Poker Open is on the festival atmosphere- do you find or expect a lot of rail birds, folks who come just to be part of the party?

LF: There is a great party atmosphere. There will be a lot of people who could not afford to play who will come and watch their friends play. Also when the local players are knocked out they will go to the bar to unwind and that is where the party will start.


TB: Let's talk about that €2 Million Guaranteed prize pool- double that offered from last year. Is poker running that good in Ireland, or are you expecting some overlay?

LF: Poker is running very well in Ireland North and South. I think there will be an overlay. Paddy Power are a very professional outfit and should not be underestimated. I would not be surprised if they filled it.


TB: Up to 700 players are expected to descend on the ballroom in the Burlington Hotel- what are the logistics like dealing with that many people; security, TV crews, food and restroom breaks? Is there an "X" factor that you have to be ready for, a sense of being prepared for anything?

LF:  IT WILL NOT BE EASY. I think we have everything covered. We have three professional tournament directors who know what they are doing. As you know whave other events at the same time. Last year was the biggest--the reports were very good so hopefully with the help of the PADDY POWER TEAM we can repeat that performance and run a very professional poker tournament.


TB: The Irish Poker Open- taking place Easter Weekend this year- is bound to be success. Thank you for taking the time away from your preparations to answer our questions, and hopefully we can follow up on you to see how things went. Best of luck!

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