New Zealand Poker Tour Queenstown - SKYCITY Alpine Adventure

SKYCITY is delighted to announce the New Zealand Poker Tour is to run from July 20 to 25 at the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino.

The inaugural NZPT Queenstown - SKYCITY Alpine Adventure will offer players an expected total prize pool of $450,000* in the $2,500 NZD buy-in Main Event. Participation in this 6-day event will be capped at 200 players and it’s already 50% sold out, so interested players are advised to register early to avoid disappointment.

The following world class poker stars are already confirmed to attend:

· Lee Nelson, New Zealand’s Celebrity Joker Poker co-host
· Eric Assadourian, 2007 NZ Poker Champs winner
· Grant Levy
· Emad Tahtouh
· Celina Lin
· Tony Hachem

The event will see SKYCITY Queenstown Casino transformed into a poker player’s paradise, with single and multi-table satellite tournaments culminating in a five-day main event. There will also be a “teams event” (3 players per team) on Saturday, July 25.

Michelle Baillie, SKYCITY Queenstown’s Executive Manager said: “We are thrilled to host such an iconic event and look forward to welcoming international and local poker players to SKYCITY Queenstown Casino in July. We hope that this week long event will benefit a wide range of Queenstown businesses as well as being positive for SKYCITY and New Zealand poker.”

Ejaaz Dean, SKYCITY Auckland’s Executive Manager - Table Games said: “The massive popularity of poker worldwide has taken its time reaching New Zealand. With the likes of international poker stars Lee Nelson and Eric Assadourian here to inspire players in a local tournament of this scale the possibilities in New Zealand are endless”.

Lee Nelson, local poker celebrity said: “I am thrilled to be able to play in a tournament of this quality on home soil. With the quality of players expected for the event and the limited number of spaces available, there is a good chance that new local talent will be discovered and the title be taken by a New Zealander.”

Satellite tournaments for entry into the final round of the NZPT are being held by casinos and pub poker leagues nationwide. Players can register for the Main Event in advance with credit cards, or on-site before the event at SKYCITY Queenstown Casino. For more information on how you can take on the world’s best poker players, visit www.skycity.co.nz/poker.