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15 Jun 2026Read More
The Chip Race Duo Find New Homes After Their WPT Global Split
- Dara O'Kearney joins Paddy Power Poker ahead of Irish Open.
- David Lappin earns place in Team PokerStars Pro.
- The Chip Race podcast secures dual sponsorship with PokerStars & Paddy Power.
In poker, stability usually means your bankroll is intact and your decision making hasn’t gone off a cliff. For Dara O’Kearney and David Lappin, the first stretch of 2026 has meant something else entirely: moving quickly, picking their spots, and landing on their feet after a public break with WPT Global.
Their January departure, widely discussed as the “Great Irish Exit,” followed a dispute over WPT Global signing Ren Lin. For a moment, the pair looked like two of the most high-profile free agents in poker media. That didn’t last long.
By March 2026, both men have new deals in place, and The Chip Race has not only survived the split, it’s found a way to keep both sides in the room.
Dara Goes Green Again at Paddy Power Poker
Dara O’Kearney has officially signed with Paddy Power Poker, and the fit feels less like a surprise and more like a return to type.
There’s an obvious cultural overlap here. O’Kearney brings years of tournament experience, deep strategic credibility, and a reputation built on clear thinking. Paddy Power, meanwhile, remains one of the most recognizable Irish-facing brands in poker and betting, with a long-standing connection to the local scene.
It also comes with timing that makes sense. Dara has already hinted at plans tied to the Irish Open, which begins in late March 2026, where he’ll be representing the brand. The move gives Paddy Power a respected Irish voice with real authority, and it gives Dara a platform that lines up neatly with his public identity in the game.
Lappin Heads to PokerStars and Earns the Red Spade
While Dara’s move reads like a homecoming, David Lappin’s new chapter has a different kind of appeal. Lappin has joined Team PokerStars Pro.
What makes this one stand out is the path he took to get there. Lappin didn’t simply appear in a branded announcement and call it a day. He pushed his way into the conversation through results, first by performing strongly in the PokerStars Live League in 2025, then by making the top ten and coming through an audition process.
That matters because it reinforces the image he has built over the years. He is not only a commentator and interviewer, but also a player who puts in work. Lappin has also been direct about why PokerStars made sense for him, pointing to the company’s focus on game integrity and player security as the key factor in the decision.
The Chip Race Stays Intact With a Rare Two-Brand Deal
The obvious question after both signings was what would happen to The Chip Race, the podcast that made O’Kearney and Lappin one of poker’s best-known duos.
The answer is unusually neat by industry standards. Instead of splitting the show or forcing one host into the background, the pair reached a dual-sponsorship arrangement involving both PokerStars and Paddy Power.
Starting with the March 3, 2026 episode, The Chip Race is co-sponsored by both brands. It is a rare setup, especially in poker, where sponsorship lines are often treated like borders. In this case, both sides appear to have accepted the obvious truth that the show works because of the duo’s chemistry, not in spite of it.
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