Donie Lyons

Donie Lyons is an Irish amateur poker player who made a name for himself by winning the BoylePoker International Poker Open (IPO) in Dublin in 2013. A postal worker by profession, Lyons demonstrated excellent timing both on his delivery round and at the poker table, defeating a massive field of 1,373 players to take home the title and the top prize.

Lyons' most notable achievement came at the BoylePoker International Poker Open in Dublin, held at the Regency Airport Hotel. The tournament featured a huge field of 1,373 starters, and by the final day only 15 remained. After a rapid reduction to an official final table of eight, the last five players agreed to a chop that guaranteed each at least €25,000, leaving the trophy and an extra €14,485 for the eventual winner.

Lyons entered heads-up play with a big chip lead against Englishman Andrew Hall. On the final hand, Hall shoved and Lyons called with pocket eights, which held against Hall's A2 on a board of 3♦Q♦Q♥9♠K♣, securing the title and the additional prize money. Final payouts:

1. Donie Lyons – €39,485
2. Andrew Hall – €25,000
3. Kenny Nyhus – €25,000
4. Alan McGinn – €25,000
5. Mustafa Gultekin – €25,000

According to reports, Lyons is a tight-aggressive (TAG) player. He is selective with his starting hands, avoids marginal spots, and becomes aggressive post-flop to apply pressure on opponents. This disciplined approach served him well in the IPO, where he navigated a huge field and outlasted many experienced pros.

Lyons is an Irish postal worker, often described as an "Irish postie." His poker career is primarily amateur, with his IPO victory being his standout live tournament result. He represents the classic story of an amateur player winning a major event through patience and opportunistic play.