By JAMES PUGSLEY : AUGUST 11TH, 2011

With Christchurch Casino’s NZ Champs well underway, and five unique events in the dust, all eyes now move toward the crown jewel: the Main Event. Set to attract a field larger than ever before, the Main Event will begin this Saturday at 12:30 pm, August 13th. With around 100 entrants currently registered, 1st place is guaranteed to yield over $35,000 — an impressive sum indeed. At the Casino’s last news update, only 7 seats still remained at the championship event, which look to fill up by the end of today.

Jackson enjoying his victory at the NZ Poker Open.

New Zealand’s finest will be out in force at the event, with such well-respected players as Cole Swannack, Koray Turker and Graeme Putt. Also coming straight from the final table of APPT Melbourne are the likes of Jackson Zheng, who finished 8th, and Phillip Willcocks, who finished an impressive 2nd for $218,319.  Jackson comes off a streak of recent wins, which include taking down the NZ Poker Open earlier this year in Auckland, chalking up back to back titles.

Thus far Christchurch Casino has been thrilled with the turnout. Along with the attraction created by the Media Charity Event, the city is buzzing with energy — a welcome diversion since encountering harder times earlier this year when the quake hit. NZPC”s spokesperson, Alesha Stefanissin, expressed her enthusiasm earlier today in a press release:

“Many of the events have been sold out and we have even had to add extra tables to cope with the demand. It really has shown us how strong a legacy the tournament has.”

Phillip Willcocks at the Final Table of APPT Melbourne.

Also worth mentioning, and perhaps of less potential risk to those managing a smaller bankroll, are the smaller events still coming up, which have generated a great deal of interest too. The South Island Champs take place early on Friday, and The Wellington Champs start alongside the second day of the Main Event on Sunday, around midday. With a $775 buy-in and a set small field, these events cater well to those not necessarily involved in the Main Event, or looking to prove themselves on a regional level.

Finally, if you’re more interested in cash, The High Stakes Cash Game, which boasts $25/$50 blinds and a $2,000 – $10,000 buy-in, is certainly a must see. Starting from  8pm Saturday, it’s unclear exactly who will be playing. You can be sure that there will be some serious action, and the best will be there to rake in the largest pots.

A full schedule of events and their time frames can be found here at Christchurch Casino’s website.

So, if you’re nearby, or simply interested in all the commotion, drop into NZPC this weekend and have a look. Otherwise, keep us bookmarked for comprehensive coverage of the event as it unfolds.

It’s going to be an exciting weekend.