Things got underway at around half past twelve today as the first group of players took to the tables in the SKYCITY Festival of Poker Main Event. Certainly no shortage of caps, hoodies, headphones and sunnies as the field got down to business.

Massage was the preference for many to ease away early tournament nerves.

Auckland DJ Sam Hill has his first hand pocket K’s busted by a set on the river, sits back and ponders the poker gods.

Tony Hachem and Eric Assadourian (looking to keep his nose clean until tomorrows sitting)

Brooke Howard Smith host of NZ’s Celebrity Joker Poker always a tiger at the table

The Dealers let their fingers do the work as the cards began to fly and the chip stacks began to change shape

Other local faves Dan Singh and Mike King were also in action in the early session, keep an eye out for more pictures.

Sunday night saw Soren Erikson emerge as the new NZ Poker Champ after a heads up battle with last year’s winner David Borg.

After an exciting few days at the NZ Poker Champs and the field of 101 being whittled down, it was Erikson’s KsQh that beat Borg’s Ah7H in the final hand.

Erikson has only been in New Zealand for three years, moving from Denmark and this is his first major tournament win in Aotearoa.

Pork spokesman Mike King managed to take 3rd place and Kiwi G, Graeme Putt took home $14,000 for his 6th place.

Auckland favourite Dan Sing was also in the money, managing to squeeze $8,000 for his 9th placing.

The main event finished off 9 days of poker action at Christchurch Casino, the home of the NZ Poker Champs.

With many poker celebs in town and plenty of media coverage, it wasn’t unusual to see the standard level of ‘talking it up’, especially from the Aussies. After a brave statement on NZ national television earlier in the week that he would “win this tournament”, Eric Assadourian didn’t manage to finish in the money.

Here’s how the final players were placed:

The NZ Poker Champs at Christchurch Casino are only a few weeks away now, so if you haven’t booked your seat, there are still satellite packages available on 888.com.

The NZPC is one of those events which always attracts the biggest names in poker in our region, and with a schedule as big as this year’s, you can be sure all the famous players will be out in force.

Christchurch is easily one of NZ’s most beautiful cities and the casino is certainly one I would describe as ‘pleasurable’ to play in.

If you haven’t got your seat booked yet, try your luck at 888.com. The next satellite is on March 12, tournament number 22697013, kicking off at 21:30 (9:30pm). It’s only $24 to buy in and could be your ticket to the Qualifier!

The Qualifier tournament (22575517) kicks off at 21:30 (9:30pm) March 15, is $110 to buy in and winner receives a $2750US package to the NZ Poker Champs!

If you don’t have a 888 account, use this link for a 100% deposit bonus up to $400! You could win this on FREE money!

100% deposit bonus!

If you’re planning on going to the NZ Poker Champs in Chirstchurch at the end of March but don’t have the cabbage to pony up the entry fee, a satellite seat is your answer.

888.com have kindly put on some satellite games to help you win your seat at the NZ Poker Champs.

Upcoming games as follows:

(22315636) NZ Poker Champs Satellite Feb 3rd, 08:30 – $24 / $2 REGISTRATION OPEN!

(22315576) NZ Poker Champs Qualifier Feb 7th, 08:30 – $110 / $10 REGISTRATION OPEN!

If you don’t have an account at 888, use this link to get 100% Bonus up to $400

Christchurch High Stakes Tournament

Not your average tournament, the website tells us and with a $5000 entry fee, they’re not wrong! This certainly isn’t a tournament for the faint hearted but how exciting is it going to be! …

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