The Irish Poker Awards, presented by Bluff Europe and sponsored by BoylePoker.com, were held at the Regency Hotel, Dublin, on Sunday night, with the cream of Irish poker in attendance to honour their peers and celebrate a great year for Irish poker. Bluff Europe editor Philip Conneller and former Irish Open Champion Neil Channing were on hand to call the shots and distribute the gongs, with Eoghan O’Dea picking up the coveted "Player of the Year" award and an emotional Padraig Parkinson voted "Irish Poker Legend".

Also among the awards winners were Chris Dowling, who took "Best Cash Player"; Jason Tompkins, "Best Tournament Player"; Jude Ainsworth, "Best Online Player" and Niall Smyth, "Breakout Player". Dara O’Kearney was on hand to pick up two awards, "Best Blogger" and "Best Social Media User", while Phil Baker won "Personailty of the Year" and JP McCann took "Best Tournament Director". Lastly, "Irish Poker Boards" won "Best Forum" while The Fitzwilliam took "Best Card Room".

Host Philip Conneller said, "The Irish poker scene is unique in the sense the sense of fun and the party atmosphere that surrounds the tournaments. Everyone else takes themselves way too seriously. It’s that uniqueness were here to celebrate, as well as praising the skill of the Irish. The winners were voted for online, completely democratically, which is important because it means there are no politics involved in the event and that gives the awards credibility. The people have spoken and congratulations to all our winners."

Calvin Ayre will cover the top awards show in the British poker industry after a media agreement was signed between the tablog and British Poker Awards organizer Bluff Europe.

Under the terms of the agreement Calvin Ayre will bring the cameras and reporters along to cover an event that will honor the best the British poker circuit has to offer. The tablog will interview the winners, snoop around for any juicy gossip and of course provide warts and all coverage of any parties that take place.

New awards have been added this year including "Best Tournament Player", "Best Cash Player" and "Best Online Player". The special "Biggest Contribution to Growing and Promoting Poker" award has also been added and is likely to see someone take to the stage and leave in floods of tears.

Thousands have already cast their votes for the awards that take place aboard the HMS President on London’s River Thames on 17th September. Tickets are still available from www.thebritishpokerawards.eventbrite.co.uk and cost £20.