(AsiaGameHub) –   An agreement adjusted the prize distributions. Just four hands later, the championship was decided. Narcis Nedelcu concluded the 2026 Irish Open Main Event in Dublin, transforming a massive field into the largest live tournament cash of his career.

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Key Details

• The €1,150 Main Event attracted 5,003 participants from 60 countries
• The €2,500,000 guarantee expanded into a €4,852,910 prize pool
• A five-way ICM deal left €70,227 and the trophy still to be played for

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Agreement Precedes Victory

The final five players ceased contending for the full payout structure and instead opted for a deal. Once the agreement was made, Nedelcu swiftly completed the task. He eliminated Oliver Gayko and Daryl McAleenan in the same hand with pocket queens, then removed Vasyl Palandiuk, and finally defeated Danilo Donnini in heads-up play when his ace-deuce held against king-six. Nedelcu secured €336,798.

Nedelcu shared with reporters:

“I feel incredible. It’s something truly, truly special.

“I’m struggling to describe it right now. I believe I’m now fifth on the Romanian all-time money list, and also fourth online, so yes, I’m doing well.”

Before any discussions of a deal, the event had already comfortably exceeded its guarantee. PokerStars and Paddy Power Poker had backed a €2,500,000 promise, but the total prize pool ultimately climbed to €4,852,910. The first-place prize was initially set at €517,100 before the chop altered the payouts. Donnini, Palandiuk, Gayko, and McAleenan all joined Nedelcu in the agreement, with each securing a minimum of €250,493.

Nedelcu’s path to this point did not begin with him in a dominant position. Ten players returned for the final day. Jarkko Suokas exited on the final table bubble. Nedelcu started in the middle of the pack, doubled up when his pocket jacks held against Isaac Barker’s nines, then eliminated Barker shortly after to seize the chip lead. Donnini later knocked out online qualifier Francesco Gisolfi, who had entered for just €10, in sixth place.

Nedelcu commented:

“I wasn’t stressed about the money, but I did feel the pressure from the blinds. They become very large, and the variance increases. So, yes, it’s better this way.”

The victory brought more than just monetary reward. Nedelcu earned PokerStars Live Leaderboard points and stated his intention to continue pursuing that competition. “I once favored online poker, but now I prefer live poker, so you will certainly see me in Monte Carlo,” he remarked.

This achievement followed just weeks after another six-figure payout from a significant PokerStars SCOOP online tournament. Beyond the Main Event, the Irish Open also utilized the week to promote its upcoming expansion strategy, with events scheduled for Sydney from September 6 to 15 and Marrakech from November 10 to 15. A United States event is slated for early 2027.

Final Table Results

1. Narcis Nedelcu — Romania — €336,798
2. Danilo Donnini — Italy — €257,662
3. Vasyl Palandiuk — Italy — €255,188
4. Daryl McAleenan — Ireland — €250,493
5. Oliver Gayko — Germany — €285,379
6. Francesco Gisolfi — Italy — €105,070
7. Isaac Barker — United Kingdom — €80,800
8. Matthew Twomey — Ireland — €62,170
9. Edward Dunphy — Ireland — €47,800