The tournament runs from Monday, July 20, until Saturday, July 25, at the Queenstown casino for the first time.
It will host a maximum of 200 players, including top contenders Eric Assadourian, 2007 New Zealand poker championship winner, and Celebrity Joker Poker television series co-host Lee "Final Table" Nelson.
Other international professional card players to try their hand include Grant Levy, Emad Tahtouh, Celina Lin and Tony Hachem.
Queenstown residents Ian Hornby, Kris "Krusty" Williams, Paul Chisnall and Kenny Frisby qualified to play, after rounds held over the past 10 weeks.
Mr Hornby said he has played professionally for the past two years.
"It's a game where you need some luck and there's going to be a lot of professional players from overseas.
It's not going to be an easy tournament to go deep in but, with luck on our side, there is an opportunity to make the final table."
Satellite tournaments for entry into the final round of the NZPT were held by casinos and pub poker leagues in Queenstown, Hamilton, Christchurch and Auckland.
Participants who have not qualified through rounds require $2500 to buy in and the field is capped at 200.
