FAQ's
-
Can I come to the Irish Winter Festival even if I am not playing it? Can I bring my family?
-
Where can I find a copy of the tournament rules (incl Blind Man's Bluff and Mythical)?
-
What is the General Event Disclaimer and how does it relate to TV/internet streaming?
-
Are there any rules for non-featured TV tables at the Irish Winter Festival 2011?
1. What is the Irish Winter Festival?
The Paddy Power Poker Irish Winter Festival of Poker is an annual poker festival that takes place in Dublin, Ireland over the October bank holiday weekend. First organised in 2001, the festival is headlined by the Irish Masters main event, a €1,100 buy in No Limit Texas hold'em tournament.
No, the IWF is a whole festival of poker. The Irish Masters is the headline event but there is a full schedule of side events which take place throughout the October bank holiday weekend.
3. What is the main event buy-in?
The buy-in for the 2011 Irish Masters main event will be €1,000 + €100.
4. What is the Irish Winter Festival 2011 tournament schedule?
The full festival schedule will be announced soon and will be found HERE
IWF 2008: 423
IWF 2009: 398
IWF 2010: 347
6. How do I reserve my seat for the Tournament?
There are 3 ways to register!
1. Qualify Online: We have a number of qualifiers running on paddypowerpoker.com, please click HERE for more details.
2. Register Online: Guarantee your seat at the IWF by registering online and sending in full payment. Online registration will be available from August 2011.
3. Pay on the Day: Payment will be accepted on the day, spaces permitting, at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.
7. How do I become the Sole Survivor?
1. Qualify for the IWF on paddypowerpoker.com
2. Outlast all other online PPP qualifiers in the IWF Main event
3. Win yourself a €20,000 package!
8. What airlines fly to Dublin, Ireland?
• Europe: Ryanair www.ryanair.com
• Worldwide: Aer Lingus www.aerlingus.com
• Domestic: Aer Arann www.aerarann.ie
• UK: British Airways www.ba.com
• Scandinavia: SAS www.flysas.com
• US: Continental www.continental.com
9. Where is the Irish Winter Festival held?
The IWF 2011 will be held the Burlington Hotel, in the heart of Dublin City Centre. For more information please click HERE
10. How do I get to the Burlington Hotel?
Directions from Dublin Airport:
From Dublin Airport, there is a range of transport options available. Travelling times will vary, depending on traffic, but as a general rule, you should allow at least 40 minutes for your journey.
Busaras - 1.5 miles
Leaving Busaras, take a left to look onto the Custom House. Take a left and follow the road around to the right. Continue straight across the bridge, taking a left as you come off the bridge. Take the first right and continue straight through the traffic lights onto Westland Row. At the end of the street, take a left and an immediate right taking you to the north side of Merrion Square. Turn left at the lights and continue on onto Lower Mount Street. Continue straight through onto Northumberland Road, taking the first right onto Haddington Road. Continue onto Mespil Road with the canal on your right hand side. Take the last left before you reach the traffic lights, onto Sussex Road, and continue along for 400m. The hotel is located on the left hand side.
Connolly Station - 1.5 miles
Exiting Connolly Station, turn left along Amiens Street until you come to the traffic lights. Continue straight on across the bridge, taking a left as you come off the bridge. Take the first right and continue straight through the traffic lights onto Westland Row. At the end of the street, take a left and an immediate right taking you to the north side of Merrion Square. Turn left at the lights and continue onto Lower Mount Street. Continue straight through, onto Northumberland Road, taking the first right onto Haddington Road. Continue onto Mespil Road with the canal on your right hand side. Take the last left before you reach the traffic lights, onto Sussex Road, and continue along for 400m. The hotel is located on the left hand side.
Dublin Airport - 8 miles
Exit the airport and take the M1 motorway towards the city centre. Just before the railway bridge on Drumcondra Road, take a left onto Clonliffe Road. Continue along East Wall Road which takes you to the East Link Bridge. Coming off the bridge take a right onto York Road, and at the end of the road take a right onto Bremen Grove. Turn left onto Bath Avenue, then Haddington Road, reaching Mespil Road with the canal on your right hand side. Take the last left before you reach the traffic lights, onto Sussex Road, and continue along for 400m. The hotel is located on the left hand side. You can also take the Aircoach located just outside the arrivals hall. These drop you outside the hotel for a cost of €7.
Dún Laoghaire Ferry Port - 8 miles
Follow the signs heading for the city centre. As you pass through the Ballsbridge area, take a left off of Pembroke Road onto Upper Baggot Street. Take the fourth left at the traffic lights, taking you onto Mespil Road with the canal on your right hand side. Take the last left before you reach the traffic lights, onto Sussex Road, and continue along for 400m. The hotel is located on your left hand side.
Heuston Station - 3 miles
Exiting Heuston Station, take a left across the river, and an immediate right along the quays. Continue all the way along the quays until you reach the Custom House. Then, take the right across the bridge, and taking a left as you come off the bridge. Take the first right, and continue straight through the traffic lights onto Westland Row. At the end of the street, take a left and an immediate right taking you to the north side of Merrion Square. Turn left at the lights and continue on onto Lower Mount Street. Continue straight through onto Northumberland Road, taking the first right onto Haddington Road. Continue onto Mespil Road with the canal on your right hand side. Take the last left before you reach the traffic lights, onto Sussex Road, and continue along for 400m. The hotel is located on the left hand side.
Trinity College - 1 mile
From the front of the college, go left taking you onto Nassau Street. Continue straight on, along the northern side of Merrion Square, onto Lower Mount Street. Continue straight through, onto Northumberland Road, taking the first right onto Haddington Road. Continue onto Mespil Road with the canal on your right hand side. Take the last left before you reach the traffic lights, onto Sussex Road, and continue along for 400m. The hotel is located on the left hand side.
11. How do I book my accommodation at the Burlington?
To avail of a special Bed and Breakfast rate of €69 negotiated by paddypowerpoker.com, please quote promotional code "Irish Winter Festival 2011" when booking your tournament accommodation.
Accommodation at the Burlington Hotel can be booked via:
• Phone at 00 353 (0)1 618 5600 or
• Email at reservations@burlingtonhotel.ie
12. Are there alternative Hotels in the Area?
Mespil Hotel - 3 star
Phone number: +353 1 488 4600
Website: www.mespilhotel.com
D4 Hotels - 3 star
Phone number: +353 1 668 4468
Website: www.d4hotels.ie
Hilton Charlemont - 4 star
Phone number: +353 1 402 9988
Website: www.hiltonhotel.com
Herbert Park hotel - 4 star
Phone number: +353 1 667 2200
Website: www.herbertparkhotel.ie
Four Seasons Dublin - 5 star
Phone number: +353 1 665 4000
Website: www.fourseasons.com/dublin
13. How do I qualify in a live cardroom?
Cardrooms and casinos all over Ireland and the UK will be running satellites to the IWF. Venues hosting satellites will appear on this site under the qualify section as soon as their schedules are announced. If you are a cardroom interested in running satellites, please contact: irishwinterfestival@paddypower.com for more information.
Individuals wishing to place a bet on the outcome of the IWF may do so on paddypower.com. Many markets, including outright winner, final table and group bets, will be available before and during the tournament.
15. Can I come to the Irish Winter Festival even if I am not playing it? Can I bring my family?
The Burlington Hotel is located in the heart of Dublin City Centre so there will be plenty to keep your family or friends busy while you are playing poker. paddypowerpoker.com will also host entertainment in the evenings at the Burlington Hotel.
The IWF is famous for its party atmosphere and much of that atmosphere is created by the fans that come along to cheer their favourite players on. While certain areas within the tournament room are restricted to players only, all are welcome to come along to the IWF and experience the greatest poker show on earth.
16. I do not live in Ireland, is there a potential to wire money to the cage for use during the tournament?
Money must be sent NO LATER than Friday 7th October 2011.
17. Where can I find a copy of the tournament rules?
General Event Rules
1. Seating assignments will be determined by a random draw and will not be transferable.
2. Each player will start with the same number of chips
3. The deal will start in the position 9 or the highest position at the table.
4. Players must keep their highest denomination ships visible at all times.
5. Players must protect their cards at all times. If a dealer takes in a hand by mistake, the hand is dead and there is no redress.
6. Players are not allowed to show their cards to other during a hand. If a player reveals their hand they may get a penalty at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
7. Players involved in a hand may not discuss a pot in progress; if they do, they may get a penalty at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
8. A new hand commences when the dealer first riffles the cards.
9. A player must be sitting at the table when the last card is dealt to take part in a hand.
10. Players wishing to use a mobile phone MUST step away from the table.
11. Players may not ask for a change of deck.
12. Players must have respect for other Players, the Dealers and Tournament Directors. If they do not they may be subject to a penalty.
13. English must be spoken at all times during a hand.
14. The minimum bet amount is the amount of the big blind.
15. The minimum raise is DOUBLE THE PREVIOUS BET.
16. When there is a race for odd chips, a player can only win one chip. A player cannot be raced out of a tournament.
17. Players may not put chips in their pockets at any time. When moving tables, players may get a chip tray to carry their chips and they must go straight to their new table.
18. When a player is being moved from a table they will be the next on the big blind and will go to the worst position on the new table. Players can move to the button, the small blind and the big blind. A player who intentionally dodges blinds when moving from a broken table may forfeit the blinds and incur a penalty.
19. If a player is taking too much time to make a decision another player involved in the pot or the tournament director may ask for the clock. If this happens the player has 60 seconds to make a decision and after the 60 seconds the hand will be dead.
20. The Tournament Director is to consider fairness and the best interest of the game as the top priority in the decision-making process. Unusual circumstances can on occasion dictate that decisions in the interest of fairness take priority over the technical rules. The Tournament Directors decision is final.
Super Satellite Rules
1. Includes all tournament rules outlined above.
2. Prize winners in the Super Satellite event must play the destination event unless they already hold a seat in the destination event in which case players will receive a refund for the satellite prize.
The tournament organisers reserve the right to cancel or alter any event at its sole discretion in the best interest of the tournament or its players.
Blind Mans Bluff Rules
1. Includes all tournament rules outlined above.
2. Blind Mans Bluff will follow the same structure as NLH poker.
3. There will be a maximum of 6 players per table at one time; each table will be complete with a dealer and dealer assistant.
4. Two cards will be dealt in front of each player at the beginning of each hand, though players must not handle or look at their own cards at this time. Players will be instructed to one by one place their cards into their head band in a way that all of their opponents can see their cards.
5. If a players cards fall from their headband their hand will be declared dead and they must muck their cards.
6. Opponents will see all other player’s cards except their own.
7. If a player looks at their own cards during play their hand will be declared dead and they will be instructed to muck their cards.
8. If a player verbally or physically reveals another persons hand during play the revealed hand will be declared dead and the person responsible for revealing the hand will receive a penalty at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
9. If a player folds their hand they should in turn remove the cards from their hat and muck them without looking at the cards.
10. Once the final round of betting is complete players must remove their cards from their hat and place them face up on the poker table for everyone to see.
11. Players are not permitted to wear sun glasses when at the table
Mythical Rules
1. Registration for the Irish Mythical Championship event will close PROMPTLY at 4.45 pm on Monday 31 October 2011. No late registration will be accepted after this time.
2. Seating assignments will be determined by a random draw and will not be transferable.
3. In the first round of the Mythical tournament, a number of players may be randomly awarded a free pass to the second round if deemed necessary by the overall number of tournament entrants.
4. The Mythical tournament will be played in the form of heats. The first heat will commence at 6pm sharp and each subsequent round will commence on the hour thereafter.
5. The following penalties will occur if a player joins any heat of the Mythical tournament late:
• If a player misses the first hand of a heat they will automatically be awarded 40 points
• If a player misses the second hand of a heat their points total will be increased to 80
• If a player misses the third hand of a heat they will be eliminated from the tournament
6. There will be a maximum of five players at each table and a minimum of three players at the start of each heat, with the exception of the final heads-up situation.
• Where there are five players at a table, three players will be eliminated and two players will commence to the next heat.
• Where there are four players at a table, two players will be eliminated and two players will commence to the next heat.
• Where there are three players at a table, one player will be eliminated and two players will commence to the next heat.
7. If a player is not sitting in their assigned seat when the first card of a hand is dealt they will be not be permitted to play this hand and will be awarded a 40 point penalty.
8. Players begin each heat with 0 points. Once a player reaches 101 points they will be eliminated and must leave the table as play continues with the remaining players.
9. If two or more players exceed 101 points in the same hand, the person with the highest overall points will be eliminated.
10. When down to heads up at the final table, their points will revert back to 0 and they will play best of 3 (first to reach 101 is loser in each game)
11. Two decks of cards will be used at each table.
12. Players will cut the deck for deal. Ace will count as low for this purpose and the highest card will commence dealing. Thereafter the winner of a hand will deal the subsequent round.
13. Each player is dealt 10 cards face down with the deal going clockwise. The dealer then places the top card of the deck face up on the table for the game to commence.
14. Each player must confirm to the dealer that they have 10 cards before play commences. Only when all players have confirmed can the dealer turn up the first card.
15. In circumstances where a dealer gives a player the incorrect amount of cards and commences play without first confirming their deal was correct, they may be penalised at the discretion of the tournament director.
16. If any player has more than ten cards and the first card is turned, the player must finish their hand with that number of cards. If they has less than 10 cards they must, on their first turn, take a card from the deck and not throw out.
17. A player with 11 or more cards cannot finish with 4 sets or 3 quads. They must have at least one Straight Flush. A player with 11 or more cards is still entitled to use a Mythical card.
18. Players will not be permitted to ‘mix’ at any time during the padypowerpoker.com Irish Mythical Championship event.
19. In any set or 4-of-a-kind, each card must be a different suit.
20. An Ace may only play as low in a straight flush (A-2-3 is a legitimate hand but Q-K-A is not)
21. A ‘Mythical’ card is an imaginary card that may be used to finish a player’s hand. All cards in the hand must be used in order to finish, whether with or without a Mythical card.
22. After a player has taken a card they must dispose of one card from their hand, or alternatively throw the card they have just taken. Throwing the card signals the end of the turn. If a player throws and then declares to be out they must wait one rotation before the game ends.
23. A player is deemed to be "out" when they have no cards in his hand which do not fit into either a straight flush, a set or 4-of-a-kind.
24. If a player declared that they are out and places their cards on the table when, in fact, they are not out they must then leave their cards on the table and play on. They may only take face down cards from the deck and not from the discard pile until they or someone else is out. Players will not be permitted to change the composition of their hand on the table.
25. Once a player has won the hand, each other player must then place their cards on the table in sets, quads and straight flushes and the point total of each players remaining cards is used to determine the score.
26. At the end of a hand each player must verify their points to the winner of that particular hand before they throw away their cards. A player who mucks their cards before verifying their points will be penalised at the discretion of the tournament director.
27. Each player, whether they are out or not, is allowed only one Mythical card to use in their hand. This can be used when putting hands down to determine points.
28. The face value of each card is the equivalent value for points. Picture cards are all worth ten, as are aces.
29. If the winning hand includes a Mythical card, each remaining losing player must add 5 points to their total. If the winning hand does not include a Mythical card, each remaining losing player must add 10 points to their total.
30. Players may not use a mobile phone while at the table.
31. Players may not ask for a change of deck.
32. Players must have respect for other players and tournament directors. If they do not they may be subject to a penalty.
33. English must be spoken at all times during a hand.
34. The tournament director is to consider fairness and the best interest of the game as the top priority in the decision-making process. Unusual circumstances can on occasion dictate that decisions in the interest of fairness take priority over the technical rules. The Tournament Directors decision is final.
18. What is the General Event Disclaimer and how does it relate to TV/internet streaming?
By entering the venue (The Burlington Hotel, Dublin) at the paddypowerpoker.com Irish Winter Festival 2010 you consent to your likeness and image being used on television and the internet internationally, without restriction and in all forms of media for the distribution and promotion of the Irish Winter Festival only. Entry into this tournament is taken as consent to participating in the TV coverage.
19. Are there any rules for non-featured TV tables at the Irish Winter Festival 2011?
At non-feature tables, players may wear what they please so long as it does not interfere with other people's enjoyment of the event. Tournament Organiser's and Director's may ask a player to change attire if it is not deemed appropriate. Their decision will be final.
20. What are the rules for featured TV tables?
The following terms and conditions are for the feature table(s) at the Main Event of the Irish Winter Festival 2011. By partaking in this event you consent that you will willingly partake in this feature table if requested. At the feature table:
1. Players are permitted to wear sponsors logos (without a ".com") on their shirts only. These logos will be no larger than 10cm * 7cm on the left breast pocket and no larger than 8cm * 3cm on each sleeve.
2. Players may wear sunglasses, hats or other headgear provided there is no visible branding and the players speech is audible and ears are visible.
3. Players may not wear earphones.
4. No other branding on any part of their body, clothing, chip protectors, or jewellery, will be permitted.
5. Players general appearance and sponsors shirts must be neat and clean. These shirts must have sleeves and collars (polo shirts and t-shirts will not be permitted) and must not be white. Sponsors must be aware that their players will not be allowed play on the feature table in unsuitable clothing. Tournament Organiser's decision will be final. Substitute shirts will be provided if available.
6. Players may be sponsored before the event begins and not during the event. Players must notify the Organiser's of their sponsor prior to commencement of the event.
7. No more than one third of the feature table players may be sponsored by the one company. In the situation where more than two players (at a six seat table) or three players (at an eight seat table) players sponsored by one company have made it to the feature table, either a person representing the relevant sponsor should decide upon who wears the shirts or the Tournament Director will choose.
8. Paddy Power Poker and the Tournament decision will be final on what clothing complies with the above rules.
9. Players also consent to participating in all reasonable requests for interviews and photographs surrounding this event. Publicity will be used in press releases and on paddypowerpoker.com to promote the Irish Winter Festival. Winners of events at the IWF will be required for future publicity of the event.
10. Players must agree to disclose their hole cards to the under the table cameras at the feature table and any refusal to do so could lead to disqualification from the event with no prize money being awarded and no refunds given.
11. Paddy Power Poker reserves the right to add or amend any tournament rules, as they feel appropriate.
12. Players must be appropriately dressed at all times within the main arena and will not be permitted to play if dressed in a manner deemed distracting to other players. The tournament director & Paddy Power Poker reserve the right to refuse participation of any players that does not abide by this rule.
