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Imagine sitting down to play in a student poker society, only to be up against one of the world’s greatest players—Steve O’Dwyer .

That’s precisely what happened when O’Dwyer, along with PokerStars Ambassador Fintan Hand,Dara O’Kearney and Thomas Murphy, joined the Dublin City University (DCU) Poker Society for a special Punters vs. Pros tournament.

As a former DCU Alumni, Hand placed an extra €20 bounty placed on O’Dwyers head, and few could have predicted the scale of the excitement it would generate. The event, which saw 118 runners, turned into an unforgettable poker night, with O’Dwyer showing his class to come out victorious.

Society Stunned

“We knew Steve was one of the best players ever, so having him show up was a privilege,” Jack Reynolds, chairperson of DCU Poker Society, told PokerNews. “It was an amazing opportunity for our members to play against them and learn from the best.”

Players could buy in for as little as €5- a small change for O’Dwyer, who boasts more than $45 million in tournament earnings. However, the society graciously freerolled O’Dwyer into the tournament.

The event featured bounty and last longer prizes — including two €200 tickets for the JP Main Event sponsored by WPT Global and Unibet Poker online tickets — and Reynolds said O’Dwyer embraced the more relaxed vibe, with students able to rub shoulders with the poker elite.

“It’s great for someone like Steve to step into a casual environment. It’s not every day you see one of the world’s top players bantering at a student poker table.”

O’Dwyer “All Business”

The tournament itself was high-spirited but competitive. O’Dwyer battled through to the final table, where his demeanor shifted to what Jack jokingly described as “all business.”

“I was on his left three-handed, and the blind vs. blind battles were not fun for me,” he admitted."

Despite the casual stakes, O’Dwyer’s brilliance shone through as he clinched victory, although he generously declined to take home the €100 prize. Instead, he contributed it to the society’s end-of-year event fund.

Building a Community

According to Reynolds, DCU’s Poker Society has grown significantly in recent years, offering students more than just a place to play cards. From home games to professional circuits, the society’s members—many new to poker—have honed their skills and built a supportive community.

“When I joined, I didn’t even know what GTO meant,” Jack said. “Now we have players on the Irish circuit with nearly €10,000 in combined Hendon Mob earnings.”

The society also invests in a professional setup, boasting custom chips and seasoned dealers to ensure smooth tournaments. Events like Punters vs. Pros add another layer, bridging the gap between grassroots poker and the professional scene.

Buoyed by the success of this event, the society hopes to expand its reach. Jack is keen to bring in more international pros, particularly during major events like the Irish Open.

“Poker is unique because it’s so accessible,” he said. “You can sit down with the best in the world for a €5 buy-in. That’s what makes nights like these unforgettable.”

For now, the society will cherish the memory of hosting a poker legend—and for many players, the story of getting outplayed by Steve O’Dwyer will be one they tell for years to come.

Based in the United Kingdom, Will started working for PokerNews as a freelance live reporter in 2015 and joined the full-time staff in 2019. He now works as Managing Editor. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He also holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism.

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