It's winter in Barliloche, Argentina, but for 2 days in September PokerStars is popping up the thermostat. Usually the name Americas Cup is reserved for the largest soccer tournament at the continent, but PokerStars is introducing something new this winter: The Americas Cup of Poker.

It started yesterday with the straightforward stuff. PokerStars Team Pros met their teammates for a drink and a visit up the mountain to ski at one among South Americas best resorts, Cerro Catedral.

After that, it was directly to the poker. Here's the way it worked:

The tournament started with six sit and gos of eight randomly seated players. The players accumulated points consistent with how they finished. The highest three teams earned an automated bid to the semifinals. The fourth and fifth place teams had a playoff to earn the fourth seat.

In all, the players were fighting for the next prizes.

1. $100,0002. $60,000 .3. $30,0004. $20,0005. $10,0006. $10,0007. $10,0008. $10,000

Dennis Phillips was the primary captain to be eliminated. His A-Q didn't beat his Mexican opponent's A♣5♣. With a club at the river for a flush,"Ratero1" eliminated the yank captain and Mexico was looking strong.

Argentinian Team Pro Leo Fernandez and Costa Rican Team Pro Humberto Brenes took their jobs very seriously. They ended up winning their tournaments, giving Argentina an opportunity to compete within the play-off and pushing Costa Rica into second place.

Meanwhile, Canada's Darus Suharto helped his team to a fist place finish within the first round.

At the top of the primary round of play, here's how the teams stacked up.

Canada - 37Costa Rica - 34Brasil - 31Chile - 27Argentina - 26México - 24Colombia - 18USA - 19

In the playoffs, Argentina managed to overcome Chile after Leo Fernandez and Gaston Catzman won their heads up matches.

Action continues today in Bariloche. Check back tomorrow to peer how the teams fared.

Photo Credit: Carlos Monty and Reinaldo Venegas

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Americas Cup]