Following the overwhelming success of SKYCITY poker tournaments during 2009 and success of tournaments during the start of 2010, SKYCITY is delighted to announce the SKYCITY New Zealand Poker Open to be held over Queen’s Birthday weekend at SKYCITY Auckland.

SKYCITY has guaranteed a minimum prize pool of $50,000 NZD but given the level of interest in poker that has built over the last few years year the prize pool could be much higher.

Satellites for the Main Event which is held on Sunday 6 June and going through until Monday 7 June will begin Monday 31 May and range from $20 NZD to $235 NZD. The Main Event buy-in for the New Zealand Poker Open is $1,100 NZD.

Amongst the largely domestic based players competing in this event will be SKYCITY’s Poker Ambassadors’, Lee ‘Final Table’ Nelson and Brooke Howard-Smith.

More details including registration can be found at Sky City’s website.

NZ Poker Open

After an exciting weekend of poker at Auckland’s Sky City, it was Jamie Kristov who emerged victorious last night, taking home $41,300 in prize money.

Day one kicked off on Sunday with 140 players competing for the $140,000 in prize money. Throughout the afternoon and evening, this was whittled down to only 24 players who then came back to play on the final day of the Main Event.

The final results ended up like this with Aucklander Jamie Kristov taking out the main prize, Joe Alis took 2nd place and Tokoroa’s Wendy Cook picking up $16,100 for 3rd place.

1st Jamie Kristov, Auckland, NZ $41300
2nd Joe Alis, Auckland, NZ $26880
3rd Wendy Cook, Tokorua, NZ $16100
4th John Pye, Auckland, NZ $12880
5th David Boyd, Hamilton, NZ $10640
6th Steven “Smitty” Smith Auckland, NZ $6720
7th Jarm “Bad Beat” Joseph $5600
8th James Keenan, Auckland, NZ $4480
9th Kevin Clark, Auckland, NZ $3920
10th Renae Baker, Rotorua, NZ, $3500
11th Bob Sova Palmeston North, NZ $2800
12th Tony Yaldan $2380
13th Warren Price Auckland, NZ $1400
14th Josko Sestan Auckland, NZ $1400

The SKYCITY New Zealand Poker Open Pot Limit Omaha Event was also held this weekend and won by Adrian Kitto.

So it was another successful weekend of poker at Auckland’s SkyCity and another event to add to the calendar for next year.

Dan Sing and Claire Chitham

Many familiar faces were on the felt including Elemeno P’s Dave Gibson, Che Fu, Otis Jackson, Mareko and Dawn Raid’s own ‘Brutha D’. Savage was seen leaving around 9:30pm while Poker Zone resident Dan Sing was still in the game, joined by Claire Chitham and fellow ex Shortland Streeter, Craig Parker.

Dave from ElemenoP

The drinks were flowing and the cameras were still blazing after 10pm when the field was narrowed. While there was no money at stake, it was still a fun event and a great start to the Sky City Poker Open this weekend.

The results finished up like this:

1 – Dan Sing

2 – Mike King

3 – Claire Chitham

According to winner Dan Sing, “…the rest of the night got a little hazy,  think it had something to do with shots and fried chicken!”

If you fancy getting in on the action this weekend, you can get all the information you need at http://www.skycityauckland.co.nz

Che Fu & Craig Parker

The main event kicks off on Sunday with an $1100 buy-in.

However, if this is a little rich for you, how about trying your hand in one of the satellite games? There’s one game tonight at 7:15p and another on Saturday at 4:45p. You can be sure a selection of NZ’s top players will be out to win their share of the $50,000 prize pool so even if you just want to watch, don’t miss the main events on Sunday and Monday.

SkyCity Poker Open

This Queen’s Birthday weekend SkyCity Auckland will be presenting it’s first National Poker Tournament, The Sky City NZ Poker Open.

With a guaranteed minimum $50,000 prize pool you can be sure this will bring all the top players out of their caves and onto the felt for what looks like a fantastic weekend of poker.

SkyCity Auckland has 18 poker tables in it’s Poker Zone and some of the best dealers in the game so if you haven’t visited Auckland’s SkyCity before, why not come along this Queens Birthday weekend and try your hand at the NZ Poker Open?

Entry is $1100 and the main event starts Sunday May 31 and finishes Monday June 1st.

For all the details and entry forms, head to

http://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/Casino/Poker-Zone/SKYCITY-New-Zealand-Poker-Open.html