Shamrock Showdown: Congratulations to Team GRND!
Table of Contents
- CAN YOU BLUFF BOSTON ROB?
- PITY FOR TEAM TONKAAAA
- CHIP STACK CONTEST
- REVERSE TARIFF FOR TEAM MARLE
- OH DEAR, SEB AND WISTERN
- TWO HORSE RACE
- BAD BEAT CHALLENGE ISSUED
- THE CRAIC COMMISSIONER IS HERE
- TEAM GRND TAKE EARLY LEAD
- WHAT IS THE SHAMROCK SHOWDOWN?
- MEET THE TEAMS
- PICK THE WINNER AND WIN
- HOW IT WORKS
- HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE ACTION
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
All you need to know about the Shamrock Showdown, debuting at the Irish Open 2025.
MONDAY, APRIL 21
They led just about the whole way, and now it’s official: Team GRND are the winners of the first Shamrock Showdown!
Congratulations to Felix Schneiders, Fabian Bartuschk, Jörg Schneegas, David Docherty, Min Sung Lee, Raphael Verdugo, and Dominic Krattiger for all their efforts. You guys smashed it.
Commiserations to Team Spraggy, who finished in a close second.
— PS Blog
SUNDAY, APRIL 20
Congratulations to TEAM SPRAGGY for winning the Chip Stack Challenge!
Congratulations TEAM PARKER for their multiple Bad Beat submissions!
Congratulations to TEAM GRND for winning the Lip Sync Challenge!
Congratulations to TEAM PARKER for lasting the longest in the Main Event!
Team captain Parker Talbot is still in, too.
Watch your back, Team GRND…
— PS Blog
From the Craic Commissioner…
Listen up. I know you’re all tired. I know you’re all hungover. It means nothing to me.
I want to see who among you has the Survivor instinct, so I’m issuing an open challenge to all team members.
Boston Rob will be in the Craic Den between 14:30 and 15:30 today. You’ll tell him two truths and one lie about yourself. If Rob catches the lie, you get nothing. If he doesn’t, you’ll get 50 points for your team.
Think you can bluff the Survivor? Prove it.
Also, listen up Team GRND. You’re winning. So it’s time for punishment.
My minions have hidden 5 items from the PokerStars store around the Craic Den. You MUST find them all in 15 minutes, otherwise I’m snatching away 20 points for each item you fail to find.
Your time slot is 13:30 – 13:45. Don’t be late. There are 100 reasons not to be.
SATURDAY, APRIL 19
From the Craic Commissioner…
I’m going to keep it short and sweet today because I enjoyed one too many pints of the black stuff last night.
Parker Talbot, listen up. You’re the only member of your team remaining in the record-breaking Main Event, and you’ve got a big stack. But your team is trailing… badly. If you win the Last Longer contest, I’ll give you an extra 50 points on top of the 100 for winning.
Don’t blow it. You won’t see me, but I’ll see the rest of you at the Lip Sync Challenge tonight.
Mine’s a Guinness.
Friday was a good day for Team Spraggy. The gang amassed the most points with 85, the majority of which came from winning the Craic Commissioner’s Chip Stack Challenge.
But it’s still Team GRND way out in front. They were the only team to take part in last night’s karaoke in the Craic Den and picked up 50 points for their efforts.
The craic continues tonight with the highly anticipated Lip Sync Challenge. Spraggy’s out of the Main Event now, so don’t be surprised to see him attempting his best Liam Gallagher impression.
Spraggy said: “Mayyyyybeeee…
The Mini Main will be the one that saves meeeee…
And after all…
I won’t be stuck at all…”
– PS BLOG
FRIDAY, APRIL 18
From the Craic Commissioner…
Here’s today’s challenge: The Chip Stack Face-Off
Listen up! At 4pm, one player from each team MUST report to the Craic Den to build the tallest chip stack. The highest stack wins 50 points, but don’t get too comfy — precision is everything! And here’s the catch: if your team fails to show up on time, you’ll lose 10 points. Choose your player wisely, this could make or break your chances!
See you at 4 sharp — don’t be late!
Thursday was a great day for Team Marle as their boy Leo Worthington Leese enjoyed an impressive third-place finish in the America’s Cup. It was worth 110 points as the Craic Commissioner added 10% onto all points earned.
Team GRND continue to charge ahead, though. They earned 20 points for victory in the Last Longer Challenge during last night’s darts competition, but it’s not enough to take a big lead. Team Wistern is still hot on their heels.
All focus is now on Saturday’s Lip Sync Battle… unless the Craic Commissioner comes up with any new challenges, of course.
Hold on… We’re getting a call from the Commish… See above.
— PS
THURSDAY, APRIL 17
From the Craic Commissioner…
In honour of America’s greatest export — chaos — I’m imposing a reverse tariff on Team Marle.
For today only, any points earned by Team Marle will be increased by 10%.
It’s like quantitative easing, but for sass.
After a long night, Seb and Wistern completed the Craic Commissioner challenge, naming six PokerStars Live Events and earning 24 points for Team Wistern.
In team changes, Spraggy kicked Griffen Benger off after he failed to complete any challenges, replacing him with Jamie Dwan. Georgina James, though brief on Team Wistern, earned 20 points with her efforts in the Craic Den chaos. Thomas Schaven has joined Team GRND and earned 5 points for a photo with an IPO ambassador.
Today, teams are rehearsing for the Saturday night lip sync, with 20 points for each entry and bonus points for the winners.
Here are the results from #47 – PLO 6-Max Championship:
- 100 Points: Team GRND (Min-Sung) – 40th place
- 50 Points: Team TONKA (June) – 96th place
- 30 Points: Team WISTERN (Seb) – 112th place
- 20 Points: Team MARLE (Jack) – 116th place
Well done to all teams!
— PS BLOG
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16
From the Craic Commissioner…
Team GRND! Felix… Did you really go up against the unsuspecting novices from Flutter Staff? To crush their hopes and dreams like that? They never stood a chance against a seasoned pro like you. Poor souls. As punishment, I’m afraid you’ll need to apologise to 10 PokerStars staff members. And I don’t mean a simple “sorry”—I need video evidence, with full dramatics. Tears, heartfelt pleas, and you begging for their forgiveness. Only then will I consider sparing you from a 20-point deduction.
Team Fintan is charging ahead after claiming another 100 points in the NLH 8-Max. With a 6th-place finish in the tournament, they also took top spot in the Shamrock Showdown Last Longer challenge.
Team GRND’s lucky potato proved to be very lucky indeed, with Nils Pudel going on to win the Mystery Bounty while holding onto that very potato!
Meanwhile, Team Parker earned 20 points in the Craic Den Race Night, adding to their tally, and Seb and Wistern put in a lot of effort to complete a challenge… only to discover that it wasn’t part of the official Game Rules. Tragic.
— PS Blog
From the Craic Commissioner…
Ah, my dear Seb and Wistern, I truly appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication to the cause. However, let’s be clear—you can’t just invent challenges on your own, my friends. I’m the one who sets the rules around here. But don’t worry, I’ll throw you a lifeline. If you can name 6 PokerStars Live Events scheduled for 2025, I’ll reward you with a generous 24 points for your efforts…
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
Team Fintan has climbed to joint first place alongside GRND, following an impressive victory in the NLH 6-Max Championship. Irish Open ambassador Brian Morgan secured the Last Longer title, earning a crucial 100 points for Team Fintan.
Meanwhile, in some off-the-felt challenges:
- Team Parker scored 20 points for winning the Shuffleboard Last Longer.
- Team GRND earned 20 points for gifting the lucky potato.
- Team Parker grabbed 10 points for the best lookalike photo.
- Team Spraggy picked up 5 points for a photo with an Irish Open ambassador.
- Team Marle earned 5 points for a photo with a PokerStars staff member.
— PS Blog
From the Craic Commissioner…
Saddle up and bring your lucky charms, because you’ll be placing your bets not with cash, but with your precious team points. That’s right — pick your horse, back your instincts, and hope your horse bolts down the straight. But here’s the twist: if your horse wins, you don’t just earn points — you steal them from a rival team. High risk, high reward, and a whole lot of craic. Choose wisely, trust no one, and may the odds be ever in your favour. Giddy up, folks — the Den is open!
MONDAY, APRIL 14
Team GRND is currently in the lead, having tackled the most off-the-felt challenges over the weekend and securing an impressive second place in the Mystery Bounty Last Longer event.
On Friday, the Craic Commissioner granted special privileges to Team GRND, allowing them to challenge an opposing team. Team Spraggy stepped up to the plate, facing off in the Craic Den with a 10-question quiz. Spraggy emerged victorious, answering 7 out of 10 questions correctly and earning 20 points. The team’s good fortune continued into the evening, with Spraggy clinching another 20 points during the Craic Den Chaos challenge by dominating a Cornhole game.
Other standout moments included Team GRND leading the charge with a spontaneous slow clap in the room, delivering a flawless Riverdance performance, and orchestrating high-energy high-five montages.
— PS Blog
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
From the Craic Commissioner…
Let’s get one thing straight—bad beats. I love them. I thrive in misery. The RDS is starting to echo with the collective groans of lost pots and bruised egos. And I love the chaos. So here’s the deal. Get one of your team to head to the Bad Beat Booth and share their story. Here’s the twist – it doesn’t have to be about the poker. It can be something about everyday life. Post on social media and tag PokerStars. You have until Friday, April 18th, when I’ll choose and announce the winner. 50 points to the team with the most painstaking, heart-wrenching story there is. My role? To listen. Nod sympathetically. Lend an open ear and a fake smile.
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
You’ve heard the teams. You’ve seen the hype.
The Shamrock Showdown is underway, and the Irish Open at the RDS is humming with nerves, novelty costumes, and the kind of side-eye only a team event can summon.
What you haven’t seen — until now — is me.
The Craic Commissioner.
You didn’t invite me. But chaos rarely waits for an RSVP.
The Shamrock Showdown has begun. But the game you thought you were playing? That just changed.
Expect surprise challenges. Sudden shifts. Possibly even forfeits involving leprechaun trivia and interpretive dancing.
Keep one eye on the tables. And one on this blog.
Because the Craic Commissioner is here.
And I’m just getting started.
Team GRND are getting cocky now that they’re in the lead and want to challenge other teams.
But I love mischief and chaos!
Their success as first-challenge winners earned them the chance to challenge another team to a battle of their chance to win for 20 points.
And that team…is Team Spraggy.
Let the chaos begin.
— CC
I’m the Craic Commissioner. But where am I hiding at the Irish Open?
THURSDAY, APRIL 10
Team GRND, led by Felix “xflixx” Schneiders, have got off to a cracking start. They’ve stormed ahead and picked up 35 points after completing multiple challenges on the first day: RiverDance, Take a Photo with PokerStars Staff and make a high-five montage video.
Their success as first-challenge winners has earned them the chance to challenge another team to a battle of their choice for 20 points. They have 24 hours to create their challenge for an opposing team.
WHAT IS THE SHAMROCK SHOWDOWN?
A new layer of excitement is coming to this year’s Irish Open with the introduction of the Shamrock Showdown – a team-based competition led by PokerStars Ambassadors.
Expect fiery rivalries, hilarious off-the-felt challenges, and competitive recruiting as ambassadors scramble to build the best teams, then compete in a series of challenges throughout the iconic Irish Open festival.
MEET THE TEAMS
TBC = Our Captains will also be recruiting as a last-minute draft at the Irish Open event.
TEAM SPRAGGY
- Benjamin “Spraggy” Spragg (Instagram) – Captain
- Joe Bold (Instagram)
- Rory Jennings (Instagram)
- Nick Steiner
- Griffin Benger
- Karen Muir (Instagram) – Irish Open Ambassador
- Bernard Paul Norris (Canada) – Emerald Pass Community Giveaway Winner
TEAM FINTAN
- Fintan Hand (Instagram) – Captain
- Kevin Killeen
- Steve Warburton (Instagram)
- Marc McDonald
- Ricky Frey (Instagram)
- Brian Morgan (Instagram) – Irish Open Ambassador
- Norbert Madaras (Hungary) – Emerald Pass Community Giveaway Winner
TEAM MARLE
- Marle Spragg (Instagram) – Captain
- Caitlin Comeskey (Instagram)
- Conor Beresford (Instagram)
- Jack Hardcastle (Instagram)
- Leo Worthington (Instagram)
- Chris Dowling (Instagram) – Irish Open Ambassador
- James McLaren (UK) – Emerald Pass Community Giveaway Winner
TEAM WISTERN
- Lasse “Wistern” Jagd Lauritsen (Instagram) – Captain
- Sebastian Huber (Instagram)
- Cameron Sinclair (Instagram)
- Iosif-Daniel Spulber
- Georgina “GJReggie” James
- Tim Silman (Instagram) – Irish Open Ambassador
- Daniel Atthey (UK) – Emerald Pass Community Giveaway Winner
TEAM TONKAAAA
- Parker “Tonkaaaa” Talbot (Instagram) – Captain
- Niall Farrell (Instagram)
- Adam McKola (Instagram)
- June Jenkins (Read her story)
- TBC.
- Elizabeth Bennett Martin (Instagram) – Irish Open Ambassador
- Christopher Michael Robinson (UK) – Emerald Pass Community Giveaway Winner
GRND TEAM
- Felix Schneiders (Instagram) – Captain
- David Docherty (Instagram)
- Fabian Bartuschk
- Min Sung Lee
- Jörg Schneegas
- Raphael Verdugo (Instagram) – Irish Open Ambassador
- Dominic Krattiger (Switzerland) – Emerald Pass Community Giveaway Winner
PICK THE WINNER AND PLAY FOR $2K SCOOP TICKETS
Which team do you think will win the Shamrock Showdown? Give it some thought, because if you pick correctly and back the winning team, you’ll be entered into a special all-in shootout with $2,000 in Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) tickets up for grabs.
Here’s how that works.
There are six Shamrock Showdown teams and six freeroll All In Shoot Outs. When you’ve decided which team you’re backing, stay tuned to that Ambassador’s content as the password for their shoot out will be hidden.
Once you’ve found the password, register for your team’s shoot out between March 28 – April 15. The winning team will be finalised by April 21, and then ONLY the winning team’s shoot out will run on April 22 (all other team shoot outs will be cancelled).
The best part is you don’t even need to be in front of a screen to win. All-in Shoot Outs run automatically and play down to a winner without you needing to lift a finger.
Here’s a look at the prizes on offer in the winning shoot out:
- 1st – $320 SCOOP ticket
- 2nd-3rd – $215 SCOOP ticket
- 4th-6th – $109 SCOOP ticket
- 7th-11th – $55 SCOOP ticket
- 12th-21st – $33 SCOOP ticket
- 22nd-31st – $22 SCOOP ticket
- 32nd-41st – $11 SCOOP ticket
HOW THE SHAMROCK SHOWDOWN WORKS:
Points are earned both at the poker tables in select tournaments and through a variety of exciting off-the-felt challenges.
Each team’s score is based on the performance of its players in each tournament. If a team’s player outlasts their opponents in all 10 tournaments, the team can earn a total of 1,000 points.
Note: Not all team members need to play each tournament.
The Shamrock Showdown tournaments are listed below:
- €1,150 Mystery Bounty
- €250 Mini Irish Open
- €1,150 Main Event
- €350 6-Max
- €1,150 8-Max (#31)
- €350 Heads-Up
- €350 HMC
- €350 PLO 6-Max
- €550 Mystery Bounty
- €550 JP Poker Masters
When all team members have been knocked out of the tournament, the best-performing players will receive the following points:
- 1st – 100 points
- 2nd – 50 points
- 3rd – 30 points
- 4th – 20 points
- 5th – 10 points
- 6th – 0 points
While the full list of challenges remains under wraps, expect antics such as a darts showdown, fancy dress, a drag show, and even a lip sync battle. We’ll release the full challenge schedule ASAP.
PokerStars will call the shots, adding an extra layer of unpredictability and excitement. Who will outlast, outplay, and out-craic the competition?
Note: Players can choose which challenges they compete in – none are compulsory – but teams can only score points in a challenge once. For example, if Caitlin earns 5 points from the Split the G challenge, the challenge is completed for her team. Imagine a bingo card – once a challenge is done, it’s crossed off.
HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE ACTION
One of the most exciting ways to participate in this year’s Irish Open is to win a Silver Pass Emerald Edition through the Power Path. This supercharged version of the Silver Pass, worth $2,500, also comes with a complimentary €250 Mini Irish Open ticket courtesy of the Irish Open team.
But in the Shamrock Showdown, you could win one in a unique way. Each PokerStars Ambassador has one Emerald Pass to give away within their community, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the Irish Open action in style.
More details on these giveaways will be revealed across their channels soon.
This exclusive opportunity not only gets you into the biggest poker festival of the year but also gives you a shot at joining one of the Shamrock Showdown teams.
The Emerald Pass Includes:
- €1,150 Irish Open Main Event entry
- €350 Irish Open Side Event entry
- €250 Mini Irish Open ticket (complimentary added value courtesy of Irish Open)
- Remaining value of $2,500 credited as expenses
- Limited edition merchandise
- Live event liaison support & exclusive Irish Open activities
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I join a Shamrock Showdown team?
PokerStars Ambassadors will each be selecting their team members in a competitive, informal draft. They will then award an Emerald Pass to a member of their community.
What kind of off-the-felt challenges can I expect?
While full details will be revealed at the event, expect darts competitions, fancy dress antics, lip sync battles, and more PokerStars surprises that will add an extra level of excitement to the competition.
What do I get with an Emerald Pass?
The Emerald Pass includes entries to multiple Irish Open events, merchandise, expenses, and the chance to be part of the Shamrock Showdown.
Where can I follow the Shamrock Showdown action?
Updates, behind-the-scenes content, and highlights will be shared across PokerStars’ channels and through the participating Ambassadors.
Table of Contents
- CAN YOU BLUFF BOSTON ROB?
- PITY FOR TEAM TONKAAAA
- CHIP STACK CONTEST
- REVERSE TARIFF FOR TEAM MARLE
- OH DEAR, SEB AND WISTERN
- TWO HORSE RACE
- BAD BEAT CHALLENGE ISSUED
- THE CRAIC COMMISSIONER IS HERE
- TEAM GRND TAKE EARLY LEAD
- WHAT IS THE SHAMROCK SHOWDOWN?
- MEET THE TEAMS
- PICK THE WINNER AND WIN
- HOW IT WORKS
- HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE ACTION
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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