Antrim’s Allen has lost in four of his five previous meetings with his English opponent - so it is a very tough opening clash.
The tournament runs from 14-20 November at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast.
It sees 128 players competing for the top prize of £70,000.
Allen’s match against Joyce will be in the evening session on Tuesday November 15 .
Most Popular
-
1
‘Remember the sabbath day...’: Northern Ireland’s biggest Protestant church voices worries over Sunday football as Linfield gets ready to clash with Portadown
-
2
Evolving Coleraine show their quality in statement win
-
3
Six of the best from the Danske Bank Premiership
-
4
Manx Grand Prix: Michael Dunlop gears up for Classic Superbike victory bid on new Team Classic Suzuki GSX-R750
-
5
Lisburn crowned Premier League champions
Belfast’s Joe Swail will meet Dominic Dale while Northern Ireland’s top two amateurs, Patrick Wallace and Jordan Brown, will meet Michael Georgiou and Ben Woollaston respectively.
Ronnie O’Sullivan will face David John with the victory meeting Jimmy White or Gareth Allen in the second round.
Judd Trump plays former world champion Peter Ebdon, while English Open winner Liang Wenbo will be up against Nigel Bond.