Poker players vie for $450,000 in Queenstown

Player Paul Chisnall, of Queenstown, sits next to Skycity Queenstown Casino executive manager Michelle Baillie, and opposite tournament director Andrew Gray, who says an element of luck is vital when competing in the second annual New Zealand Poker Tour this month and early July. Photo by James Beech.

Self-described "enthusiastic amateur" poker player Paul Chisnall, of Queenstown, yesterday said he won one qualifier on a Thursday and came second three times on Sunday nights, in satellite series games held at Skycity since March, before the main event.

Mr Chisnall won a seat at the grand final for the satellite series, to be held on Thursday, July 15, but said he wanted to secure a second grand final seat, to held on Sunday, July 18.

Three seats at the tournament's main event in Queenstown, worth $2500 each, were the prizes at both satellite series grand finals.

Players earned their main event seats by either winning satellite series games, or buying in for $2500.

The main event would begin at Skycity on Wednesday, July 21, and run until Sunday, July 25.

Mathematical and psychological skills were important when playing poker, "and a good dose of luck", Mr Chisnall said.

"Tournament poker and cash poker are two different animals. Tour poker requires different strategies because you have no ability to re-buy.

"Once your chips are gone, that's the end ... It's a delicate balance between putting your life at risk, but if you don't do that, you'll get chewed away.

"I'd be happy to get 10th again. They'll be a lot of good players there, a lot of semi-professionals or professionals. But ... luck can play a factor."

Skycity Queenstown Casino executive manager Michelle Baillie yesterday said players travelled from Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States to compete in the inaugural event.

Many brought family and friends and in between games enjoyedtourist activities in the region.

"There was a lot of interest last year, with 134 players including over 40 locals.

"A lot of players were talking about Queenstown being one of the best places to hold a tournament and it's expected the numbers this year will be a lot higher than even last year."

Melbourne poker player Danny Chevalier, a former Queenstown resident, won last year's tour and won $87,435.

Fellow Melbourne resident Andrew Hinrichsen took home $57,285 in second place, while Queenstown resident Glen Maiden won $33,165 in third.

All three were expected to return this year.