This September will see SKYCITY Auckland overrun with world class poker players counting their chips and playing their hands in the return of New Zealand's largest and most prestigious poker tournament, the SKYCITY Festival of Poker. Players both domestic and international will be returning to SKYCITY, New Zealand's home of poker, with the goal of taking home the 2010 Festival of Poker trophy.

The SKYCITY Festival of Poker will run from 13 to 19 September with an estimated $1 million prize pool, the largest ever in New Zealand, attracting hundreds of entries over the tournament period. This year's field of players with another year of experience and tournaments under their belt will be looking in top poker form coming into the tournament.

The following world class players are already confirmed to attend the 2010 SKYCITY Festival of Poker: New Zealander, Lee 'Final Table' Nelson and Australian, Tony Hachem.

The seven day tournament will see SKYCITY's dedicated poker zone transformed into card shark heaven, with single and multi-table satellite tournaments culminating in a five-day main event. Ejaaz Dean, SKYCITY Auckland's General Manager of Casino Operations said: "This is the third year the SKYCITY Festival of Poker has been run at SKYCITY Auckland and every year the talent and professionalism of the players keeps on growing. The 2010 Festival of Poker is shaping up to be the best yet!

"SKYCITY Auckland is the Home of New Zealand Poker, with high profile tournaments being held every few months attracting world class players." New Zealand poker player, Lee 'Final Table' Nelson said: "The SKYCITY Festival of Poker for 2010 should be one of the main fixtures on every poker player's calendar. The main event will be the premier event of the New Zealand tournament poker year and will attract great players from Australia, Europe, and the United States, as well as the cream of the Kiwi crop. I'm really looking forward to it."

Satellite tournaments for entry into New Zealand's biggest ever poker tournament are being held by casinos and pub poker leagues nationwide. For more information on how you can take on the world's best poker players, visit www.festivalofpoker.co.nz.