Dublin Takes European Poker Crown Over London

Dublin has been awarded the title of European Poker Capital 2008 by Bluff Europe for the second consecutive year. The Irish capital pipped London again to claim the ahead of other runners ups Vienna, Tallin and Irish city Galway.

Dublin was praised for its player-friendly tournament structures adopted by tournament organisers.  Countries whose governments were over restrictive were ignored by the judges this year, as were countries were the rakes in cash games were deemed to be exploitative.

"It'll always be a close run thing between Dublin and London for top spot, but we just had to give it to the Irish again this year, simply because we're always overwhelmed by the enthusiasm we encounter for the game whenever we visit," said Philip Conneller, editor of Bluff Europe. "Dubliners are mad for it, and in Ireland poker seems so much more of a passion than elsewhere. Even the table banter is just – well – better."

Dublin is growing steadily on a grassroots level, with poker societies and pub poker leagues springing up everywhere.  Dublin is also home to the Irish Open, the oldest poker tournament in Europe.