A total of 200 players are vying for a slice of the maximum $540,000 prize pool and to be named the Pokerstars.net NZPT Queenstown SkyCity Snowfest champion for 2012.
Names to watch include Team PokerStars.net pro Bryan Huang, from Singapore, and Team PokerStars.net online member Rohit Bhasins, better known at the virtual felt as GodlikeRoy, from Australia.
Also in the running will be Australian Poker Hall of Fame members Leo Boxell and Billy "the Croc" Argyros; reigning player of the year for this tour Danny Chevalier, who was the first NZPT Queenstown champion in 2009; World Series bracelet winner Andrew Hinrichsen; Asian player of the year Hung-Sheng "Shaq" Lin, from Taiwan; plus Queenstown businessman and last year's runner-up, Matty Yates.
Pokerstars.net NZPT commissioner Danny McDonagh said: "We are expecting to set records this year for attendance, but this event is about more than just a great poker tournament."
The tournament was great for Queenstown tourism as players, friends and family members were expected to take part in many activities across the week.
"New activities this year include Poker in the Snow, a mock poker tournament up Coronet Peak hosted by NZSki today ... and the inaugural Pokerstars.net Frisbee Golf Tournament in the Queenstown Gardens tomorrow."
