PAUL NICHOLSON will join Russell Stewart in the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic qualifiers after winning the DPA's Viva Las Vegas event in New Zealand.
Stewart won a place in the Desert Classic qualifiers in February by winning a special knockout event at Shoalhaven, New South Wales.
Stewart will be joined at the Mandalay Bay Casino & Resort by Nicholson, the current Australian Grand Prix leader who won the qualifier staged in New Zealand this weekend.
Players competed in four separate qualifying events in a bid to earn a place in the 32-man main event held on Sunday, featuring eight four-man groups playing off before the top two progressed to the knockout phase.
Nicholson took victory in the final, defeating top Kiwi Warren French 6-1 with a brilliant display, averaging over 108 in the decider.
He overcame Richard Te Whero in the semi-finals, Barry Whittaker in the quarters and Craig Ross in the last 16 of the tournament.
French overcame former New Zealand National Champion Warren Parry in the semis, and also defeated Shane Tichowitsch and Keith McElhinney.
DPA Viva Las Vegas New Zealand
Last 16
Keith McElhinney def Alan Bolton
Warren French def Shane Tichowitsch
Koha Kokini def Daniel Sim
Warren Parry def Tony Crampton
Barry Whittaker def Daryl Ramage
Paul Nicholson def Craig Ross
Jason Ladbrook def Craig Caldwell
Richard Te Whero def John Aitken
Quarter-Finals
Warren French def Keith McElhinney
Warren Parry def Koha Kokini
Paul Nicholson def Barry Whittaker
Richard Te Whero def Jason Ladbrook
Semi-Finals
Warren French def Warren Parry
Paul Nicholson def Richard Te Whero
Final
Paul Nicholson 6-1 Warren French