In May 1979, Irish bookmaker Terry Rogers was in Las Vegas and had a few days to kill so he visited Binion’s Horseshoe Casino downtown and discovered a massive poker game taking place. Rogers befriended some of the players competing in the event and began spreading the world of a new game called no-limit hold’em.
Rogers then created the Irish Open, which is now the oldest poker tournament behind the World Series of Poker. Over the years, the Irish Open has welcomed some major stars through its door, including Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese and Stu Ungar.