Poker sharks converge on Auckland casino

In 2016, the tournament saw more than 100 players compete for the championship title, with Christopher Frank taking home $41,000 and the trophy on the final day.

The top poker players in New Zealand will this week converge on Auckland casino, hoping to take home a share of the likely $150,000 prize pool generated from one of the country's biggest poker events.

The 2017 Waitangi Deep Stack Championship Main Event costs $1,100 to enter, starts on Thursday at Sky City casino and will culminate on Monday, with the winner likely taking home around $40,000.

There are three flight of 'day ones', before the top players qualify for 'day two' on Sunday, then the final table on Monday.

In 2016, the tournament saw more than 100 players compete for the championship title,
with Christopher Frank taking home $41,000 and the trophy on the final day.

The Waitangi Deep Stack Champs are designed to provide a more relaxed atmosphere for
players to settle back in to play after the summer break, with lower level buy-ins to
match.

"The Waitangi Deep Stack Championship has always been one of our most popular
tournaments with its relaxed summer atmosphere and the long weekend timing that
sees more players from around New Zealand travel to participate," said Radha Vellanki, the Sky City Auckland table games manager.

This year we have a strong contingent from Thames and Wellington as well as numerous players from throughout the South Island."

The Waitangi weekend tournament series will offer eight action-packed side events
including a $550 Heads Up event at 2pm on Saturday 4 February.

Smaller deep stack games will also be offered such as the $275 Deep Stack Turbo event at 6pm on Sunday 5 February and the $50 NLH Flip Out tournament at 3pm on Monday 6 February.

There are also satellite tourmaments running to qualify for the Main Event.

Full tournament schedule, registration details and full terms and conditions for the 2017Waitangi Deep Stack Championship can be viewed here.