Poker is a "serious hobby" for Nelson, New Zealand's top poker player with total winnings of more than $2 million.
He is in Queenstown this week for the tournament in the hope of sharing in a $267,750 prize pool.
The tournament began on Wednesday with 119 players and Nelson is in the 56 remaining going into the final two days, today and tomorrow.
Nelson, who owns the Split Apple health retreat in Nelson, began playing poker at the age of 5.
Last year's tournament champion Danny Chevalier was knocked out on Wednesday.
Three Queenstown men remain in the competition: Paul Chisnall, Erich Stadler and David Bonham.
Leading the pack is South African-born Australian resident Michael Spilkin who was chip leader for most of the day ending with an impressive $103,925 in chips.
Coming behind him was Mishel Anunu, from Australia, with $78,450 in chips and in third place, Nelson with $37,700 in chips.
