Why OPC Exists
Across Europe, thousands of poker tournaments happen every week in clubs, card rooms, and local live poker communities. But until now, there was no way to connect them — no shared ranking system, no unified standards, and no path for local players to gain international recognition.
Marcel and Noah saw this gap firsthand. After decades of competing at the highest levels, they realized that the amateur poker scene — the foundation of the game — deserved the same transparency, structure, and excitement that professional circuits enjoy.
That's why they founded the Open Poker Championship: a free platform that connects verified live poker tournaments across multiple European countries into one international ranking system. Players compete locally and earn points towards a European championship, while organizers gain access to shared rankings, partner visibility, and a growing community of verified players.
Our Values
Transparency
Every tournament is verified. Every result is recorded. Every ranking is based on real, auditable data — no hidden algorithms, no pay-to-play advantages.
Fair Play
All players are age-verified. Standardized rules based on FIDPA international standards ensure a level playing field at every table, in every country.
Accessibility
OPC is completely free for players and organizers. One verification unlocks unlimited tournaments across Europe — no fees, no subscriptions, no barriers.
Our Founders
Marcel Lüske
"The Flying Dutchman"Marcel Lüske is one of the most recognizable figures in European poker. Known worldwide as "The Flying Dutchman," he has built a career spanning more than three decades at the highest levels of professional poker, accumulating over $5 million in live tournament earnings.
Named European Player of the Year in both 2001 and 2002, Marcel was ranked the #1 poker player in Europe and has competed on the biggest stages in the world, from the World Series of Poker to the European Poker Tour.
Beyond the felt, Marcel founded the Federation International de Poker Association (FIDPA), nowadays called the International Poker Rules, establishing the first standardized international rules for poker globally.
Driven by this commitment to transparency, fairness, and professionalism, he founded the European "Open" Poker Championship. The platform enables recreational and amateur players across Europe to compete in verified local tournaments while earning points in official international rankings — completely free of charge.
Noah Boeken
Co-FounderNoah Boeken is a legendary Dutch poker player whose journey to the top began in an unexpected place — as the European Champion of Magic: The Gathering. That strategic brilliance translated perfectly to the poker table, where Noah became the first Dutchman ever to win a European Poker Tour (EPT) title in 2005.
As a protégé of Marcel Lüske into the live poker environment, Noah has amassed over $2.9 million in live tournament earnings, with major victories including the Master Classics of Poker.
His combination of analytical thinking and competitive spirit has made him one of the most respected players in European poker, past and present.
Noah's passion for growing the game and making it accessible to new players made him a natural co-founder of OPC. He brings firsthand understanding of what competitive players need: fair structures, transparent rankings, and a community that rewards skill and dedication.
Our Partners
Main sponsor: GGPoker — thanks for the support at no cost.
Want to connect local events to the network?
Tournament organizers can add verified local events to the OPC ranking story.
Be part of OPC Europe
Join as a player, organizer, or ambassador — help build the European poker community.