Paddy Power have opened their book on next year’s Irish Open, and poker punters are already scouring the odds for value. The familiar €9 max stake remains in place, a source of endless frustration for serious bettors who’d happily risk considerably more on tournament futures.

That tight limit exists for good reason. The bookmaker has been caught out before, most memorably when Neil Channing backed himself at 100-1 after day one in 2008 and went on to collect £50,000 alongside the €801,400 first prize. Last year, defending champion Simon Wilson reportedly had over a hundred mates pile on at 200-1, making for an expensive week at Paddy Power headquarters.

Record Field Expected

The 2026 edition is shaping up as potentially the biggest Irish Open yet, with organizers projecting over 5,000 entries. With a €1,150 buy-in and single re-entry per flight across five starting days, expect around 2,600 unique players, many firing multiple bullets. That field size makes the pricing decisions particularly interesting.

Top favorites are listed at 175-1, with recognizable names extending to 475-1. Some punters reckon these prices are too short, but Paddy Power’s previous stings justify their caution. The Irish Open consistently produces professional winners. Seven of the last ten champions being seasoned pros, actually. The excellent structure and multi-day format rewards skill over luck, making this one tournament where experience genuinely counts.

Where the Value Lives

Wilson himself isn’t currently listed, presumably already backed down after last year’s supporters renewed their faith. Among the 175-1 favorites, Steve O’Dwyer represents the best of a mediocre bunch, but that price doesn’t offer sufficient edge. The same applies to Benny Glaser, Parker Talbot, Dominik Nitsche, and Paddy Power ambassador Dara O’Kearney.

All quality players, none worth backing under 300-1.

The 225-1 bracket contains thirty-one names, with EPT Prague champion Padraig O’Neill and GUKPT London winner Brandon Sheils standing out slightly. Stephen Kehoe’s deep WPT World Championship runs make him another to consider, but only if these prices drift toward 350-1.

Smart Money Territory

Real value emerges further down the board. At 275-1, the 200-player list includes FPS Paris winner Mateusz Moolhuizen and UKIPT Dublin champion Kevin Killeen. Daragh Davey, a two-time UKIPT Player of the Year, represents exactly the sort of consistent grinder who can navigate a massive field. Former champion Ian Simpson at this price carries obvious appeal given his 2013 victory.

Push beyond 375-1 and the interesting names multiply. WPT Prime Slovakia champion Fabian Gumz and WPT World Championship runner-up Rob Sherwood both offer genuine value. Irish bracelet winner Sean Prendiville and EPT Prague finalist Conor O’Driscoll know how to close big tournaments. At these odds, experienced locals like Annette O’Carroll and rising talent Stephen Campbell become genuinely attractive propositions.

The Quiet Achievers

The best bets at this tournament will always be the online crushers and underrated grinders who avoid the limelight. Players with proven track records but lower public profiles, the sort who let their poker speak rather than their social media. That’s where the 375-1 and higher bracket becomes hunting ground for anyone willing to do their homework.

Look, with that €9 limit, this is clearly a bit of fun rather than serious investment. But finding genuine edges in a 5,000-player field makes for an entertaining challenge. The Irish Open’s track record of rewarding skill means those longer-priced professionals carry more weight than they would in softer events. Choose wisely and that tenner might just turn into a couple of grand come next spring.