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Ian Simpson is a Geordie professional poker player, former science teacher, 888poker ambassador, and one of the most consistently active players on the UK and European circuit — best known for winning the 2013 Irish Open for €265,000 after finishing fourth in the same event the previous year. With over $1.57 million in live earnings across 111 cashes and three tournament wins in 2025 alone, Simpson is a player whose career continues to grow long after his defining moment in Dublin.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
Total live earnings stand at over $1,575,000 across 111 cashes, per The Hendon Mob. His online alias is “Simpioni”.
💰 Live Earnings: $1,575,000+ | 🏆 Irish Open 2013 Champion | 💵 Best Cash: €265,000 | 🎯 3 titles in 2025
Notable Results (click to expand)
| Date | Event | Result | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2013 | Irish Open Main Event | 1st | €265,000 |
| Apr 2012 | Irish Open Main Event | 4th | €107,500 + €100K last-longer |
| Jan 2025 | 888poker LIVE Madrid €888 Main Event | 1st | €62,000 |
| Apr 2025 | 888poker UKPL Newcastle £560 Main Event | 1st | £34,800 |
| Oct 2025 | PokerStars Open Manchester £2,200 High Roller | 1st | £53,140 |
His estimated poker net worth is over $1.2 million.
Biography & Poker Background
Simpson has lived in the northeast of England his whole life and was a science teacher before poker came calling. In 2012 he won a satellite ticket to the Irish Open — a result that started a chain of events he could not have anticipated. He finished fourth at the festival for €107,500, winning a last-longer challenge worth an additional €100,000 alongside it. As part of the deal attached to the last-longer, half of the €100,000 had to be reinvested in live events. His teaching schedule and tournament schedule began to conflict. He chose poker, reasoning he could always return to teaching.
He went back to Dublin in 2013 and won the Irish Open outright for €265,000 — becoming champion in consecutive appearances at the same event. The decisive hand was dealt on the river when he hit backdoor diamonds with his favourite hand, three-four of diamonds. He had the diamond ring in his pocket throughout the entire final table — and proposed to his wife immediately afterwards.
His career has remained active ever since. As a 888poker ambassador he competes across the tour’s events internationally, and 2025 was one of his best seasons — three titles across the 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event (€62,000), the 888poker UKPL Newcastle (£34,800), and the PokerStars Open Manchester High Roller (£53,140). His most recent Hendon Mob cash came in November 2025.
Play Style & Strategy
Simpson’s scientific background informs a deeply logical approach to the game. He describes himself as having taken a “scientific” path to studying poker — methodical, evidence-based, willing to test assumptions against results. That temperament suits the long-run nature of tournament poker, where discipline over hundreds of hands across multiple days separates consistent performers from one-tournament wonders.
Social Media & Online Presence
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