It was a wild one here within the tournament room on the Sortis Hotel, Spa & Casino in Panama City, where Day 2 of the LAPT9 Panama Main Event played out today. A handful of players took turns fighting for the chip lead as they played all the way down to the cash after which some, and by night's end it was Anderson Blanco of Colombia bagging the massive stack with 896,000.
Anderson Blanco
The plan today was to minimize from 172 players to only 32, and because of a rapid pace throughout it took just over nine one-hour levels to perform that goal.
Nearly 100 of these who began the day weren't going to make the money, as only the highest 79 stood to make the cash. Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez was some of the first wave of knockouts, as were a few two-time LAPT champs, Mario Lopez and Nacho Barbero.
Meanwhile Jessica Perez began building her stack to imagine the chip lead through the afternoon, holding it nearly until dinner until Aaron Mermelstein surged past her to snatch first position.
Mermelstein and stacks
Meanwhile the bubble burst, with Arturo Nocedo the unfortunately 80th-place finisher landing one spot out of the money. From there the bustouts picked up again as they raced down from 79 to 32 players, with Michelle Reyes (69th), start-of-day-2 leader Maxence Debar (68th), Andres Korn (62nd), Raul Pino (59th), Joey Spanne (55th), Bryan Schultz (49th), Matthew Wantman (37th), Hunter Cichy (35th), and Gustavo Lopes (34th) a few of the players hitting the rail.
As noted slightly below in our live updates, Jessica Perez was the last knockout of the night in 33rd, and with just four eight-handed tables left from the 553-entry field play was halted for the night.
Trailing Blanco but additionally bagging big at night's end were Mermelstein (836,000), Fernando Gutierrez (716,000), Tobias Schwecht (679,000), and Ruben Suarez (657,000). And Oscar Alache continues to be within the hunt as well, going for a record third LAPT Main Event title.
Click here to look complete chip counts for all 32 remaining players, and do not forget you can even consult the "Prize pool and payouts" page to peer everyone who has cashed thus far.
They get back again tomorrow at 12 noon PT to minimize from 32 to an eight-handed final table, and we'll be available in addition to we discover out together who would be the next LAPT champion. Until then, buenos noches. --MH
DAY 2 LIVE UPDATES:
11:33pm: Perez can't discover a pair, Day 2 ends with 32Level 20 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (ante 1,000)
After the extent went up, there have been a couple of short stacks to observe that may be the overall player eliminated on Day 2. There have been a couple of all-ins but no calls until Jose Annaloro looked up Jessica Perez. The previous chip leader had dipped below the 10 big blind mark and he or she was all-in and in peril with A♣Q♠.
Annaloro held 5♥5♣ and after the board ran out clean for the pocket pair, Perez was officially sent to the rail in 33rd place. After her knockout, the rest 32 players bagged and tagged their chips and people official counts may be posted shortly.
A complete Day 2 recap and wrap up may be coming shortly, so make sure to keep it locked here at the PokerStars Blog for your whole LAPT9 Panama Main Event end of day information. -- WOC
| 20 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 1,000 |
11:25pm: Brazil falls, Cruz keeps climbingLevel 19 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (ante 1,000)
Gustavo Lopes worked one of the most more up and down stacks because the dinner break and eventually, that yo-yoing found him near the ground of the leaderboard. His 150,000 chip stack got in in a blind versus blind encounter, shoving the small blind with A♠4♥ and getting a decision within the big blind from Luis Cruz.
Cruz held K♠9♠ and after the K♥J♠2♥ flop, Lopes was drawing thin. The 5♣ left him with just three outs at the river but there has been no ace, just the 9♣ sealing his fate because the 34th place finisher.
Lopes will fall a couple of tables in need of another LAPT final table but Cruz could contend for that eight-handed lineup tomorrow, as he's back over 500,000 only one elimination clear of the tip of Day 2. -- WOC
11:14pm: Schwecht's straight sinks CichyLevel 19 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (ante 1,000)
The level was as regards to to finish when a large hand developed between Hunter Cichy and Tobias Schwecht.
The pair had reached the river with the board showing T♥J♣K♠6♣8♠ and about 150,000 within the middle. We arrived to peer a raffle in front of Cichy's position and Schwecht looking around the table at his opponent in study. Finally Schwecht announced he was raising all-in, and Cichy thought a little while before tossing a few chips forward to signal he was calling.
Schwecht quickly tabled his Q♣9♠ for a straight, and Cichy nodded as he turned over J♠T♠ for 2 pair before heading to the cashier's desk to gather 35th-place money.
With that pot, Schwecht is now up around 580,000. --MH
It's good to be Tobias
11:02pm: Two more fallLevel 19 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (ante 1,000)
Two more quick knockouts to share -- the yank Matthew Wantman (37th) the Colombian Jeison Mauricio Berdugo (36th). Just three more eliminations and play will conclude for the night. --MH
10:52pm: Gutierrez gets ChavesLevel 19 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (ante 1,000)
Steven Jose Bertranol Chaves is out in 39th after his K♦Q♦ didn't catch as much as the A♠K♣ of Fernando Gutierrez way to a J♠5♣6♥4♣J♥ runout.
Gutierrez is as much as 425,000 now. --MH
10:42pm: Arturo's ace cracks kingsLevel 19 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (ante 1,000)
After a slow element of play, the eliminations have picked back up and Alejandro Vallejo was the newest Level 18 victim. His bust out was picked up with Oscar Alache opening to 17,000 from early position. The table folded to Vallejo, who then shoved for 126,000 from the small blind, only to peer Jonathan Arturo and his big stack as for a count within the big.
Once he got the official number, he called, putting Vallejo in danger. Alache got out of ways and Arturo was drawing to a few immediate outs with A♥Q♦. That's because Vallejo had woken up with a monster, turning over K♣K♠. Unfortunately for him, a type of three outs came at the flop, because the A♦J♥8♣6♠2♣ runout confirmed his elimination.
As Vallejo headed to the cage to gather his 40th-place payout, Jonathan Arturo was playing just shy of 550,000. That's likely good for a top-three stack behind Andres Carrillo and Aaron Mermelstein. -- WOC
10:31pm: Otero out, Valera vanquishedLevel 19 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (ante 1,000)
Soon after play resumed following the break, Freddy David Otero hit the rail in 42nd after falling in a hand versus the young Austrian Tobias Schwecht.
Then a couple of minutes later Valerio Vicente Varela opened with a raise, Rafael Escobedo reraised, Varela pushed, and Escobedo called. Varela had A♦Q♥ and Escobedo K♣K♦, and the latter remained in front during the Q♦T♣3♣ flop. Then the A♣ fell at the turn, prompting an "ooooh!" from Escobedo as he saw he'd been momentarily outdrawn.
The adverb just there probably gave away what happened next -- the K♠ at the river! Escobedo let loose a really perfect roar of satisfaction as he collected the pot to transport back to 220,000 while Valera moved over to the rail after being knocked out in 41st. --MH
10:15pm: Let's play some cardsLevel 19 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (ante 1,000)
Players are back, cards are within the air, and the cards are landing backpedal again at the table because gravity.
We took advantage through the break to perform a little chip counting, and feature a top ten to share with you heading into the brand new level. Aaron Mermelstein surged into the lead during that last hour. --MH
The Mermelstein Express is rolling
| Aaron Mermelstein | United States | 595,000 |
| Andres Carrillo | Colombia | 545,000 |
| Austin Peck | USA | 455,000 |
| Abraham Bettsock | Panama | 440,000 |
| Ruben Suarez | Venezuela | 415,000 |
| Anderson Blanco Cassio | Colombia | 410,000 |
| Steven Thompson | Costa Rica | 390,000 |
| Raul Paez | Spain | 385,000 |
| Jose Angel Annaloro Quintoro | Venezuela | 375,000 |
| Andres Federico Jeckeln | Argentina | 345,000 |
| 19 | 4,000 | 8,000 | 1,000 |
9:52pm: Break it up
With 42 players left, they've reached the top of Level 18 and are taking one last 15-minute break. --MH
Want to qualify for the LAPT? Click here to get a PokerStars account and begin today9:43pm: Slowing down into breakLevel 18 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (ante 1,000)
Remember that rapidly disappearing field that Martin referenced QUARTER-HOUR ago? He wasn't lying, there has been some degree where we were averaging an elimination every three minutes but heading towards the general break of just today 2 session, that pace has slowed drastically.
We're now stuck at 42 players remaining, meaning we have to lose ten to finish proceedings tonight. Once we are right down to the general 32, the luggage will pop out and players will package their chips for tomorrow's Day 3 session.
It is still seen how quickly we can get right down to 32 however the PokerStars Blog could be here to bring you all of the action throughout the remainder of the night. We'll also bring you an update of the larger stacks within the room shortly... - WOC
9:29pm: The rapidly disappearing fieldLevel 18 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (ante 1,000)
In the 90 minutes because the dinner break, 28 players was eliminated, swiftly reducing the sphere from 71 all the way down to 43.
Among those sent railward through the most up-to-date wave of knockouts were Guillermo Olvera (57th), Joey Spanne (55th), Ryan Colton (51st), Bryan Schultz (49th), and Pablo Ezequiel (44th).
There are only six tables in action now, and the plan remains -- as recently confirmed -- to prevent when they get to 32. --MH
9:22pm: 'Feature table' four-bet, Mermelstein topLevel 18 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (ante 1,000)
It seems that each time we walk past our 'feature table' Aaron Mermelstein is all for the pot. We just crossed paths with the Philadelphia native to look him put out a large four-bet to transport up and over the 550,000 chip mark.
Action was picked up with Luis Cruz opening to 11,000 from middle position and next to act, Austin Peck three-bet to 28,000. The table then folded to Mermelstein and after some thought, and a listing of his opponent's stacks, he four-bet to 78,500 from the small blind.
The big blind and Cruz quickly folded but Peck didn't appear to be he desired to depart as quietly. He stared on the table, the pot, his stack and then, eventually, at Mermelstein. After a couple of seconds of locked eyes, Peck surrendered and while he was getting shipped the pot, Mermelstein quietly said, "Send it in."
Peck appeared like he contemplating that option but with well over 300,000 in front of him, he doesn't must be playing that sort of pot at this stage of the tournament. Especially against a player that has nearly double his stack, as Mermelstein has charged forwards since dinner and is now leading this LAPT9 Panama Main Event. -- WOC
9:14pm: More of the fallen...Level 18 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (ante 1,000)
The plan is to minimize to the general four tables or 32 players and at this rate, we'd get out of here sooner, as opposed to later. Players are dropping like flies -- that's a saying in Panama also, right? -- with three hitting the rail in quick succession over the primary component to Level 18.
Manuel Gomez Rivera was the primary to go, as his A♦K♦ couldn't beat Renny Bannet's K♥J♣. The Jamacian flopped a jack after which held during the turn and river because the board fell J♥T♣9♣5♠9♥. Rivera was out in 54th and some moments later, Gustavo Lopes was scoring another knockout. This time, it was Cristian Rene Martinez going out in 53rd place and around the tournament area, Raul "El Toro" Paez found pocket aces to eliminate John Edilson Gonzalez.
That's dropped this present day 2 field all the way down to the 51 player mark, meaning we're with reference to the overall half dozen tables of this LAPT9 Panama Main Event. -- WOC
9:01pm: Lopes rivers Mejia out of tournamentLevel 18 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (ante 1,000)
Things continue to head Gustavo Lopes' way as Day 2 wears on, together with his recent knockout of Carlos Alberto Mejia in 48th providing still further evidence.
Mejia had pushed his previous couple of chips in on a Q♣J♦5♥4♠ board with Q♥6♦ for queens and Lopes called him with 3♣2♠. The river then brought the 6♥ -- two pair for Mejia, but a straight for Lopes -- and Mejia laughed as he left.
Lopes is as much as 330,000 now. --MH
| 18 | 3,000 | 6,000 | 1,000 |
8:48pm: Reyes, Pino outLevel 17 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)
Since dinner we've already seen greater than a dozen players sent railward because the field has trimmed to 57, with Michelle Reyes among them. Her ouster means Jennifer Perez -- still with a top five stack -- is the last woman remaining within the field. Panama's third-most all-time winning tournament player Raul Pino may be a number of the fallen.
Panama's Pino still smiling
Remember, you'll be able to open up the constantly updated "Prize Pool and Payouts" page to maintain track of ways the money's being divided. --MH
8:39pm: Trapped between Alache and a difficult placeLevel 17 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)
Following a gap raise by two-time LAPT champion Oscar Alache, Alejandro Arango Vallejo defended his blind, then led with bets on all three postflop streets because the board came J♥K♣4♥, then 2♠, then 2♣.
Alache called the primary bet of 19,000, then called turn bet of 25,000. Vallejo pushed out 54,000 following the river, and after pausing for some time and counting out what he had left, Alache announced he was all-in and Vallejo quickly released his cards.
Alache was up and down all day, but now sits with about 195,000 while Vallejo is at 135,000. --MH
8:34pm: Brazil's Lopes buildingLevel 17 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)
Brazilian players has been on a tear lately, as they've claimed eleven -- YES, ELEVEN -- PokerStars SCOOP titles over the past week and a half. A Brazilian may be the reigning LAPT champion, after Rodrigo Strong claimed the LAPT9 Panana title earlier this year. Gustavo Lopes still has the way to visit match those roughly results but a contemporary elimination has him trending up near the chip average.
Action was picked up with Jean Luigi Zaniboni opening to 12,000 off a brief stack. A player in middle position called after which Lopes three-bet to 38,000 from the cutoff. The button and blinds folded before Zaniboni four-bet shoved for 42,000. The player in middle position folded and Lopes called to position the fast stack at risk.
He had his opponent dominated, holding A♠Q♣ to A♥J♦. The board ran out clean for Lopes and his kicker played to send Zaniboni to the rail in 63rd place. When the dust settled, the Brazilian was playing just shy of 160,000. -- WOC 8:22pm: Cichy comes back from dinner to enroll in the 'club'Level 17 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)
Hunter Cichy wasn't included in our post-dinner quarter-million chip club post but after scoring two knockouts, he's well over that number. The primary elimination saw Cichy pick up pocket kings in an ideal spot, calling the all-in of former chip leader Maxence Debar.
The Frenchman shoved from middle position for 77,500 and after some thought, Cichy called within the cutoff. The remainder of the table folded and his K♣K♠ was up against the fast stack's A♦Q♠. The board ran out 9♥8♦2♣7♣5♠ and the pocket pair held to attain the knockout. Debar bowed out in 68th place and some hands later, Cichy made ace-queen work.
The knockout was missed but Cichy held ace-queen and after an ace-high board, Cesar Lopez was heading to the rail in 65th place. When the dust was finally allowed to settle at Table 10, Cichy was playing just shy of 270,000. That's good for a top-fifteen stack heading through Level 17. -- WOC
Hunter seeks further prey
8:14pm: Back-from-break take a look at the massive stacksLevel 17 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)
We've done a circuit of the rest 71 players to inform you concerning the big stacks. Anderson Blanco Cassio is the leader now with 560,000, having passed Jessica Perez to imagine first position. Take a look at the members of the quarter-million club below, as compiled by the intrepid WOC. --MH
| Anderson Blanco Cassio | Colombia | 560,000 |
| Jessica Perez | Panama | 440,000 |
| Andres Carrillo | Colombia | 395,000 |
| Raul Paez | Spain | 385,000 |
| Aaron Mermelstein | United States | 375,000 |
| Austin Peck | USA | 310,000 |
| Andres Jeckeln | Argentina | 290,000 |
| Janir Muller | Brazil | 285,000 |
| Luis Cruz | Colombia | 285,000 |
| Jonathan Arturo | Colombia | 270,000 |
| Jose Angel Annaloro Quintoro | Venezuela | 265,000 |
| Steven Thompson | Costa Rica | 260,000 |
| Paul Cukier | Costa Rica | 260,000 |
7:58pm: Play resumesLevel 17 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)
Players are back from dinner and Day 2 has resumed. There are 71 left at the moment with the plan being to minimize to 32 tonight. --MH
| 17 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 500 |
6:43pm: Dinner bell rings
With 71 players still seeking the following LAPT Main Event title, players are taking a 75-minute dinner break. --MH
6:37pm: More fall as dinner approachesLevel 16 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)
We're seeing a wave of busts here because the dinner break approaches, with Jose Luis Colin Perez going out in 77th, then Daniel Woycik -- the player with a prayer we were reporting on prior to the bubble bursting -- following him in 76th.
Prayers answered! Woycik cashes
Pablo Rafael Bravo (75th), Pablo Emilio Vives Zamora (74th), and Hilario Ochoa Estrella (73rd) were next felted. Then it was Carlos Manuel Lam Wu getting all-in with 8♥8♦ but running into Janir Muller's Q♠Q♦, and five cards later also getting knocked out in 72nd. Muller is as much as 265,000 now.
Like everyone cashing so far, these half-dozen players picked up $2,460 for his or her efforts. --MH
6:24pm: First cashesLevel 16 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)
Shortly after the bursting of the bubble, Joaquin Matias Ruiz was swiftly ousted in 79th. Then on a neighboring table it was Flavio Alexis Hidalgo open-pushing his last 45,900 with 5♥5♣, and after a little bit a tank David Andres Barbosa called him from the blinds holding 9♠9♣.
The community cards came K♠7♦8♥, then Q♣, then J♦, and Hidalgo headed over to the cashier's desk to select up his 78th-place money. Meanwhile Barbosa has 125,000. --MH
6:20pm: ITM, short while until dinnerLevel 16 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)
After a comparatively long bubble element of play, we're within the money here on the LAPT9 Panama Main Event. Everyone of the rest 79 players have locked up a $2,460 score but those players all also likely have their sights set at the $138,225 that may be up top.
The PokerStars blog will track this field throughout the remainder of just today 2 session, that is scheduled to finish after Level 20 or when four tables remain. That coverage can be interrupted in a couple of minutes though, as this field is ready to move on a 75-minute dinner break. -- WOC
6:17pm: Blanco does it each side of bubbleLevel 16 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)
Before the bubble, Anderson Blanco Cassio reduce Oscar Alache and within the next meaningful pot at our stacked Table 12 lineup, he sent Arturo Noceda to the rail at the bubble. Action was picked up within the first hand on a board of J♣8♣5♥3♦2♥, with Blanco checking to an in position Alache.
Blanco bursts the bubble
The reining LAPT Player of the Year cut out a raffle of 49,000 and pushed it around the line. Blanco went deep into the tank after which eventually called, an action that brought a faucet of the table from Alache. He was bluffing and after Blanco tabled A♠J♦, he took within the pot. That moved him up near 440,000 and cut Alache down below the 170,000 chip average but a couple of hands later, he was locking up a cash for this whole field without reference to their stack size.
That hand was picked up with Blanco limping in middle position and Arturo Noceda raising from the blinds. Blanco called and the J♦7♠6♠ flop went check-bet-call, for an unknown amount. The 7♦ paired the board at the turn and Noceda checked again, with Blanco betting 46,800.
That represented with reference to half Noceda's remaining stack and after some thought, he called. The 4♠ fell at the turn and Noceda checked for a 3rd time, only to here his opponent declare himself "all-in". Noceda didn't wish to look that and while the remainder of the tournament field waited at their respective seats, he sent as regards to four minutes creating a decision.
No cash for Arturo Nocedo
In the end, he elected to call, only to be shown K♥7♥. Blanco had turned trips and gotten maximum value, eliminating Nocedo in 80th place within the process to bring this LAPT9 Panama Main Event into the money. That field is simply over 20 minutes from the Day 2 dinner break and Blanco, who's behind 550,000, is normally the overpowering chip leader when that 75-minute recess begins. -- WOC
6:12pm: "Uno mano mas"Level 16 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)
"Uno mano mas" has become the refrain here for the last 20 minutes as we've continued to observe all of the tables play one hand apiece without anyone being eliminated.
After losing that all-in to Steven Betranol, Daniel Woycik was taking to sitting together with his eyes closed and hands before him, appearing to be praying to the next power that his stack -- now under 20,000 -- will last long enough for him to make the money.
Player with a prayer
A couple of others have just a little greater than Woycik right now, while only Eugenio Luis Pernia has less, sitting with about 9,000 or simply over a few big blinds. --MH
5:55pm: Betranol's bubble double cripples WoycikLevel 16 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)
The first hand of hand for hand play saw Daniel Woycik have a possibility to burst the bubble but he couldn't, instead shipping a majority of his stack around the table to Steven Betranol. Action was picked up with Bertranol opening to 8,500 from middle position and after some folds, Woycik three-bet to 20,000 from the small blind.
Bertranol called and after the J♣T♦2♦ flop, Woycik continued for a 24,000 chip wager. Bertranol quickly shoved, together with his stack weighing in at 44,400. It didn't matter the volume to Woycik though, as he immediately threw in chips for the decision and awaited his fate and his opponent's fate.
"What do you could have"? Woycik asked while the tournament staff kept their cards face down in order that other tables could finish there hands without vital bubble information.
"Pair and a flush draw." said Bertranol sternly, to which Woycik tapped the table before admitting that that was "good". Once the opposite tables finished, the cards were finally tabled and neither player was lying, as Bertranol turned over K♦J♦. Woycik held A♥K♣ and needed an non-diamond queen or ace to attain the knockout.
Unluckily for him, the A♦ came at the turn, giving Bertranol his flush and locking up a miles needed double. He's now playing as regards to 135,000 while Woycik is now one of the most shorter stacks within the room with just over a starting stack. -- WOC
5:40pm: One clear of the cashLevel 16 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)
Pablo Rafael Bravo just brought the tournament one step toward the cash after delivering a KO to Miguel Angel Mago Pino.
They are all the way down to 80 players now, meaning hand-for-hand play is ready to commence. Yet one more elimination and they are within the money! --MH
5:39pm: Another bubble-upLevel 16 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)
Pablo Ezequiel just avoided getting knocked out a few spots shy of the money when his 9♥9♦ ran clean versus Gustavo Lopes' 6♥6♦ after a preflop all-in. A nine at the flop meant the hand was over by the turn, and Ezequiel continues with about 22,000 while Lopes continues to be up across the leaders with about 250,000. --MH
5:33pm: Perez doubles at the bubbleLevel 16 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)
As Level 16 began, Jose Luis Colin Perez was all-in and in peril with J♠J♥ versus Aaron Mermelstein's Q♥9♠, but a 4♥7♣3♦K♣5♥ runout was fine for Perez, and he survives with about 40,000. Mermelstein remains to be more healthy with 208,000. --MH
| 16 | 2,000 | 4,000 | 500 |
5:22pm: Cukier cracks aces to bring bubble closerLevel 15 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)
We're now just two spots from the money, as Paul Cukier just cracked pocket aces to send Mario Niciforo to the rail. Action was picked up late, with the cards on their back, with Cukier behind 4♦4♥ and Niciforo standing in agony with A♦A♣ in front of him.
The board read 4♠3♠3♦ and there has been nearly 100 big blinds within the middle, with Niciforo being the in danger player. He was screaming on the board, hoping his tournament life could be saved at the turn or river. It wasn't though, because the 5♦ and 8♥ completed the board to make sure his elimination.
It was a drastic difference in emotions, as Niciforo cursed himself, his opponent, the cards and the poker gods, while Cukier gave himself a snappy fist pump to celebrate the double. He then returned to stack up just over 300,000, good for some of the top stacks heading into hand-for-hand play. --WOC
5:13pm: Bravo busts CarterLevel 15 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)
King Malik Carter has hit the rail only a few spots shy of the money after having committed his last 20,000 or so with J♦T♦ and finding himself up against Pablo Rafael Bravo's A♣9♦.
The Q♦7♥K♥2♦6♣ board hit neither player's hand, giving Bravo the most efficient between them and sending Carter railward.
Bravo has 134,000. There are 82 players left -- three eliminations clear of the money. --MH
5:08pm: Top-top no good for BrenesLevel 15 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)
Aaron Mermelstein's stack was yo-yoing during the last few levels but he's now peaking as this LAPT9 Panama Main Event approaches the bubble. He just flopped a suite against Daniel Brenes' top-top, scoring an entire double throughout the Costa Rican.
Action was picked up with Maxence Debar opening to 6,500 from early position and after some folds, Mermelstein three-bet to 20,000 from the button. Brenes, who was within the small blind, thought for a minute after which called, with Debar calling to send three players to the flop.
Brenes then led the A♠7♦3♣ flop for 30,300 and after Debar got out of the way, Mermelstein called off an in depth to 85,000 chip stack. The 6♣ fell at the turn and Brenes immediately announced "all-in", with Mermelstein quickly answering that declaration with a couple of chips within the middle and his cards on their back.
He held 7♥7♠ and Brenes could only shake his head as he tabled A♦K♣. Mermelstein didn't need it however the 7♣ then completed the board to offer him quads. When the dust settled, Mermelstein stacked up on the subject of 240,000, a stack that, in keeping with the conversation after the hand, he should not have had if Brenes had shoved preflop.
"Not you, I call him though. He has better than sevens I tap the table and laugh." Mermelstein joked while pointing around the table to Maxence Debar. The Frenchman laughed as well, as he and Mermelstein has been building quite the dynamic over the past few levels... -- WOC
4:55pm: Tricky PerezLevel 15 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)
Postflop back-and-forthing between Jessica Perez and Joey Spanne saw the latter finally choose to fold and concede the pot. As Perez gathered the chips, Spanne leaned forward to commend her on a fair hand.
"You're an excessively tricky player," added Spanne with a grin, and Perez just continued to stack. She has 386,000 now -- probably the most we've counted today -- while Spanne is doing well also with 188,000. --MH
4:47pm: Over 1,500,000 in play at Table 12Level 15 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)
We've referenced Table 11 as our 'feature table' over the past few levels but Table 12 could be giving them a run for his or her money. That seven-handed line up is operating just shy of 1,500,000 total chips, with six of the seven players over the chip average.
Anderson Cassio leads that group, as he's shot as much as the 325,000 chip mark during the last hour. Oscar Alache, the reigning LAPT Player of the Year, sits second with 260,000 and Luis Cruz is playing a large 230,000. Mexican Arturo Moreno is behind 180,000, while Hunter Cichy and Elliott Peterman are both sides of 170,000.
Those deep stacks could create an enchanting dynamic as we work towards the money bubble, especially since their table is the primary to wreck after we get into the money. -- WOC
4:47pm: Joerg busts, bubble nearsLevel 15 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)
Another bustout before the bubble to share, this time involving Costa Rica's Charles William Joerg.
After a raise by Alcides Gomez, Joerg reraise-pushed along with his last 25,700 holding A♥8♥ and Gomez called with 5♣5♦. The board came 3♥K♣3♦Q♦6♣, failing to hook up with Joerg's hand and he's out.
Just 85 are left now -- six from the money. --MH
4:35pm: Meran mows down YepezLevel 15 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)
On the primary hand back from the break, Luis Alexander Yepez open-raised all in together with his last 15,800 from middle position, and after it folded around to Alberto Miguel Meran within the big blind he thought a moment before making the call.
Yepez had K♥4♦ and a slight edge over Meran's J♦9♠, however the 9♣6♣J♥ flop hit Meran's hand twice to position him in front. The Q♥ turn did give Yepez straight outs, however the river was the 8♦ and he's out shy of the cash.
Meran is as much as 70,000 with 88 players left. --MH
| 15 | 1,500 | 3,000 | 400 |
4:15pm: Break before the bubble
With 89 players left -- just 10 from the money -- they've reached the top of Level 14 and at the moment are taking another 15-minute break. --MH
Want to qualify for the LAPT? Click here to get a PokerStars account and begin today4:01pm: A race that wasn't a raceLevel 14 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)
After Jose Luis Colin Perez committed the last of his short stack on a 9♥K♥4♣ flop, King Malik Carter thought a little while and called, then shook his head with a grin when he saw Perez table K♦K♣ for prime set.
Carter showed his T♣T♥, saying "runner-runner?" pleadingly because the dealer completed the board with a few blanks to offer Perez the hand.
As Perez stacked his chips, the pair discussed the hand.
"You gotta win those races," said Carter, still grinning.
"Well, actually..." Perez began his reply.
Both players are sitting within the 60,000-chip range a couple of dozen eliminations off the cash. --MH
3:53pm: Changing of the guard at 'feature table'?Level 14 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)
Austin Peck, mean mugging on the 'feature table'
The deadly blog jinx may need bitten Maxence Debar over the past level. He potentially might, gasp, not also be the chip leader at Table 11 because he's dropped slightly over the past 60 minutes and Austin Peck has built up an over 225,000 chip stack.
The 20-year old Texan, who isn't even allowed to play in most U.s. based casinos until his 21st birthday, started the day with probably the most tougher table draws. Peck was surrounded by two-time LAPT champion Mario Lopez, chip leader Maxence Debar and his countryman Aaron Mermelstein.
He's outlasted Lopez, been above Mermelstein at the counts for the easier a part of the previous few levels and is now creeping towards Debar, even upping the stakes at an already stacked outer table. --WOC
3:44pm: Under 100Level 14 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)
There are 99 players left from the 553-entry field within the LAPT9 Panama Main Event, because of this after 20 more eliminations the cash bubble can have burst.
Speaking of the money, a min-cash may be worth $2,460 while the winner will earn a $138,225 first prize. Here is what the payouts are on the final table -- you'll be able to check the "Prize pool and payouts" page for the entire list. --MH
1st: $138,2252nd: $86,8803rd: $62,2004th: $48,5005th: $38,0406th: $29,8807th: $22,3008th: $15,440
LAPT9 Panama Main Event Day 2 action
3:33pm: Stackin' seven over 200KLevel 14 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)
We're down below the 100 player mark and as we head towards the money bubble, the LAPT9 Panama Main Event leaderboard is beginning to take shape. Because it stands, just over a half dozen players are over the 200,000 chip mark, with Maxence Debar still leading the way.
He's dropped slightly since our last update however the Frenchman continues to be pacing this field with 265,000. While Debar was out in front from the beginning, American Ryan Colton has quietly come from the center of the pack.
Colton is playing a quarter-million, after entering the restart with 120,000. That's good for double his Day 2 start line and he's now second in chips. Brazilian Gustavo Lopez, who final tabled the LAPT Grand Final last year in his home country, rounds out the top-three.
A list of the larger stacks within the room is supplied below. --WOC
| Maxence Debar | 265,000 |
| Ryan Colton | 250,000 |
| Gustavo Lopes | 245,000 |
| Anderson Cassio | 240,000 |
| Jessica Perez | 235,000 |
| Steven Thompson | 220,000 |
| Valerio Varela | 215,000 |
Gustavo Lopes leaping up the counts on Day 2
For a whole rundown of the stacks, consult our "selected Day 2 chip counts" page via the above link. --WOC
| 14 | 1,200 | 2,400 | 300 |
3:21pm: A double-"whoa" handLevel 13 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (ante 300)
It was a kind of hands eliciting a double-"whoa" from the table -- one after the flop, then another after the turn.
Valerio Vicente Varela raised from the button and watched Ryan McEathron reraise all-in for what amounted to 41,000 more. It folded back to Varela who thought a few beats, then made the call.
McEathron had 9♣8♣ and needed help against Varela's A♥5♥, and the 7♠T♥6♥ provided assistance quite handily, giving McEathron a straight.
"Whoa," commented everyone.
But those two hearts were worrisome, and the Q♥ turn suddenly snatched the hand and pot from McEathron by giving Varela an unbeatable flush.
"Whoa," they repeated.
And woe was McEathron, suddenly drawing dead. Varela is now up around 195,000 and a few of the big stacks as Level 13 involves an end. --MH
3:11pm: Maxence moves himself higher, nearing 300KLevel 13 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (ante 300)
It's a shame that Table 11 goes to wreck before the cash bubble bursts, as that stacked table has continued to bring us action heading towards the general quarter of Level 13. That hand was picked up with Daniel Cuadra opening from under the gun and both Maxence Debar, in middle position, and Aaron Mermelstein, within the big blind, called to look the flop.
Mermelstein and Cuadra checked the 7♠5♥4♦ board, while Debar took the betting lead with a 8,700 chip wager. Mermelstein called and Cuadra got out of ways before the A♠ fell at the turn. Mermelstein checked again and Debar continued for 16,700. The out of position Mermelstein called to look the J♣ complete the board.
He checked for a 3rd time and Debar cut out another bet, pushing 21,300 around the line. Mermelstein, who had just been delivered an espresso before the hand, took his head phones off and collected his cup. In a single swig, it was gone and that jolt of caffein sent him deep into the tank. He spent on the subject of three minutes there and at last threw out chips to call.
Debar slowly tabled 5♠4♠ and Mermelstein nodded his head after which said something a couple of "check-raise". He'd glad he didn't, as check-calling likely lost him the minimum in that encounter. After the hand, Debar is operating a number one 290,000, while Mermelstein is playing just over 60,000. -- WOC
3:01pm: Jaikel's run concludesLevel 13 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (ante 300)
We mentioned earlier Luis Jaikel surviving an all-in through which he held pocket aces and the handheld for him. Alas for the Costa Rican, he was today in another all-in spot versus David Andres Barbosa, and this time his opponent was the only holding the rockets.
Jaikel had A♦T♠ and had bet his last 35,000 or so at the hand, but Barbosa tabled A♣A♠. The board ran out 7♥2♠3♠2♥9♠, and Jaikel exited. Barbosa, meanwhile, is as much as 118,000. --MH
2:44pm: Deja vu on the topLevel 13 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (ante 300)
During Thursday's Day 1A flight, Raul "El Toro" Paez set the early pace, cracking 100,000 before anyone else could much more as much as a double starting stack. Hunter Cichy then took control of the chip lead after the dinner break and until the last two levels of that first flight, those two gave the impression of the betting favorite to bag the chip lead.
Alas, they each stumbled discovering the finish line but after an afternoon off in Panama, they've come into Day 2 running. Paez is already up and over the 200,000 chip mark and Cichy is trending towards 170,000. That's good for probably the most top stacks around the remaining tables and they will certainly be players to look at as this field continues to work towards the money. -- WOC
2:36pm: Escobedo continues to evaporate, Borrego buildsLevel 13 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (ante 300)
Jessica Borrego building
Rafael Escobedo was the highest stack through yesterday's Day 1B flight but he's done nothing but fall in the course of the first two levels of just today 2 session. He's now down below the 50,000 chip mark, after being out kicked by Jessica Borrego. That hand was picked up with Escobedo checking from the blinds on a Q♣T♥5♥5♠3♦ board.
Borrego bet 9,000 and Escobedo quickly called, only to peer his opponent table K♦Q♦. Top pair was good and so was her kicker, as Escobedo frustratingly through over Q♥J♥. After bemoaning his luck, or lack thereof, because the restart, he sat back in his chair, just staring upwards as Borrego stacked her newly won chips.
She's gone within the wrong way since starting play at 12 PM, as she's now up near the 180,000 after ending Day 1A with a top-three stack.
2:25pm: Lopez loses stack, Barbero bouncedLevel 13 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (ante 300)
We noted initially of the day how two-time LAPT champion Mario Lopez had drawn a seat at one of the crucial the tougher tables within the room. He's in that seat no longer, as he's also been knocked out of the event.
Lopez follows his fellow Argentinian Nacho Barbero to the rail, however the consolation for him is more attention to offer to SCOOPin', as he's been doing the last couple of days.
Multi-tabling
That means we're left with only one of the two-time LAPT champs within the field, Oscar Alache who's doing just fine with a stack of around 180,000. --MH
2:25pm: Severino sunkLevel 13 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (ante 300)
Shortly after play resumed followin the break Jose Severino lost the last of his short stack to Andres Guzman and was sent railward. Guzman now sits with about 158,000. --MH
| 13 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 300 |
2:00pm: Break time
Nearly 40 players hit the rail during those first two hours, as there are 133 left to take the primary 15-minute daybreak 2. --MH
Want to qualify for the LAPT? Click here to get a PokerStars account and begin today1:57pm: Jaikel's aces hold, Severino slipsLevel 12 - Blinds 800/1,600 (ante 200)
Luis Jaikel was all-in on a 4♦J♠K♥ flop and in danger versus Jose Severino, albeit in an advantageous position with A♦A♠ versus the latter's K♠Q♣.
The turn wbecause the 7♠ and river the 5♣, and Jaikel's aces held. He has 65,000 now as the first break of the day nears while Severino is now all the way down to just 14,000. --MH
1:54pm: No sweat for ColinLevel 12 - Blinds 800/1,600 (ante 200)
Janir Muller was probably the most loudest players during yesterday's Day 1B flight, both off and on the felt. He's been quiet up to now today, yet to have considered one of his need to be patented celebrations but he did open this action with a pre flop raise from middle position.
A player in late position then shoved for 37,500 and after some folds, Jose Colin called for less from the large blind. Muller gave the look of he desired to call but he eventually folded A♥4♠, meaning one of the vital original shovers outs were taken, as he held A♠Q♦.
Colin turned over J♥J♦, meaning it was a flip but that flip and people outs that the unique shover had counted for nothign after the J♣9♥9♦ flop. Colin did not have a sweat, as he flopped a whole house and after the turn and river fell, he was scoring a far needed double.
He's now a couple of minutes from the primary break of the day, working just shy of 80,000. The unique shover meanwhile, was left with only a few thousand chips and eliminated a couple of hands later. -- WOC
1:48pm: Ibolache's aces get run outLevel 12 - Blinds 800/1,600 (ante 200)
As a blogger, or reporter, or journalist, however you wish to categorize us, watching a player think they've won an all-in pot for his or her tournament life, once they really haven't, is often difficult. That's exactly what just happened at Table 15, as Mauricio Ibolache got his stack in with pocket aces and didn't realize that he were bounced by running cards.
That hand was picked up with Matthew Wantman checking from the blinds on a J♣4♦4♣ flop. Ibolache, who was under the gun, quickly bet 7,500 and after some thought, Joezer Katolan announced "all-in" from the button. Wantman got out of how and Ibolache snap called, tabling A♠A♦. Katolan rolled his eyes and turned over A♣J♥, with top pair drawing very thin against the pocket rockets.
Those rockets went up in flames after the Q♣ and 3♣ completed the board and Katolan's unlikely runner-runner flush. To start with glance, even the dealer didn't catch the four clubs on board but after a couple of seconds, everyone had gave the impression to realize what just happened. Instead of Ibolache, who was mid-celebration before he finally got the bad news.
"Aye!" he exclaimed before pushing his stack over the road to have the dealer see what the wear and tear was. After the stacks were cut down, the wear and tear was his tournament life, as Katolan's 34,700 had his opponent slightly covered.
While Ibolache won't have seen the beat in real time, he's likely not soon to forget it. After leaving the tournament table, we saw the Chilean make his way across the room, telling his elimination hand to a handful of individuals before finally exiting the tournament area. Katolan isn't going anywhere though, as he's playing just shy of 85,000 heading towards the top of Level 12. -- WOC
1:39pm: From the sector to PanamaLevel 12 - Blinds 800/1,600 (ante 200)
Perhaps you realize that Panama is home to the biggest free trade zone within the entire Western 1/2 the globe. In other words, the sector (or most of it, anyway) involves Panama to trade.
You could say the LAPT9 Panama Main Event exemplifies an analogous idea, for the reason that players from 39 different countries have come to the Sortis Hotel, Spa & Casino to trade chips backward and forward with the intention to earn a work of the $721,665 prize pool.
Colombia is the most efficient represented country among those 39, having sent 91 players, with Venezuela (80), Argentina (65), Costa Rica (58), and host country Panama (49) next at the list. The graph below provides more details in this international trade summit (click to embiggen). --MH
1:32pm: Tuthill collects from Escobedo, CarrilloLevel 12 - Blinds 800/1,600 (ante 200)
Rafael Escobedo ended Day 1B because the biggest stack in that starting flight and the second-biggest overall heading into today. But things haven't gone quite to boot for him to this point on Day 2, and he'd slipped with regards to 130,000 before a hand arose at present that saw him limp in from middle position, Nathan Tuthill call from the button, Cesar Lopez also call from the small blind, and Andres Carrillo check from the BB.
The flop came J♣3♠9♦, and it checked to Escobedo who continued for 4,200. It took a while, but eventually all three of his opponents called the bet. Then after the 4♥ turn it checked to Escobedo who again bet, this time 6,100, and both Tuthill and Carrillo called.
The river was the 5♣, and this time it checked to Tuthill who thought of betting, but decided also to test. Carrillo mucked his hand face down, Escobedo showed 9♥8♣ for eights, and Tuthill won with J♦8♦ for jacks.
Tuthill climbs to about 90,000, Escobedo slips further to about 120,000, and Carrillo sits with 128,000. --MH
1:18pm: Restrepo fades the sector with foursLevel 12 - Blinds 800/1,600 (ante 200)
Restrepo in action yesterday, doubling today
Winning flips with small pocket pairs is difficult. SO MUCH can get it wrong and for Carlos Restrepo, it nearly did in a contemporary hand. He and Jose Severino just got Restrepo's 45,000 chip stack within the middle pre flop, with Severino holding A♠K♥ to the fast stack's 4♣4♠.
Restrepo faded the T♠9♠9♥ flop but not really, as Severino picked up both counterfeit outs. The 2♠ added to that inventory of outs, as Severino was now drawing to a flush. The J♦ completed the board and the sweat was over, as Restrepo had faded the arena to attain the double.
While he stacked up his nearly 90,000 chip stack, Severino, who was a late chip leader during yesterday's Day 1B flight, has to return to the strategy planning stage behind his 55,000 stack. -- WOC
1:08pm: Lincourt no moreLevel 12 - Blinds 800/1,600 (ante 200)
The Canadian Francois Lincourt is out, having lost his short stack on the very start of Level 12. He's one among two dozen players who've already been sent railward during just over an hour of poker on Day 2. There are 146 players remaining. --MH
| 12 | 800 | 1,600 | 200 |
12:59pm: Alache ascending, near 200KLevel 11 - Blinds 600/1,200 (ante 200)
In one of the most final hands of Level 10, Oscar Alache and Luiz Cruz got desirous about a large pot, person who has moved Alache up near the 200,000 chip mark. Action was picked up with the two-time LAPT champion and reining Player of the Year opening to 2,700 from the hijack and after Cruz called within the cutoff, the button and blinds folded.
That sent two players to the A♣5♣4♥ flop and Alache continued for 3,000. Cruz quickly called and after the 4♠ paired the board at the turn, Alache bet again, this time throwing out 5,000. Cruz barely hesitated and called for a second time, to look the 2♥ complete the board.
Alache then took a couple of moments to consider his river move and finally fired another bet, sizing this one much bigger, because it weighed in at 16,500. Cruz immediately flicked a chip around the line for a call, only to look his opponent table 6♣4♦ for turned trips. Three-of-a-kind was good and while Alache was getting pushed the pot, Cruz could only roll his eyes and access the damage.
He's still working with regards to 170,000 but Alache is now leading Table 12, playing just over 190,000. -- WOC
12:54pm: Nigh sighsLevel 11 - Blinds 600/1,200 (ante 200)
After calling a preflop raise by Luis Antonio Duprey from the large blind, Peter Nigh put his last 3,500 within the middle following a 6♦9♣T♠ flop holding K♠6♣ and was ahead when Duprey called with K♣Q♦. However the turn was the J♦ to fill a gutshot for Duprey, and after exhaling disappointedly Nigh departed even before the meaningless river completed the board.
Duprey has about 35,000. --MH
12:45pm: Jacks serve ThompsonLevel 11 - Blinds 600/1,200 (ante 200)
"I am all in...!"
Said Steven Thompson to Tournament Director Fernando Obando who was passing by the table. Thompson was standing, having pushed all-in along with his last 17,500 from the cutoff, as he saw Alcides Gomez call from the small blind.
Thompson had J♦J♣ and Gomez A♥K♣, and the 7♠7♥2♣T♣3♠ runout ensured Thompson he could keep his seat.
"Run it twice," cracked Obando, and Thompson chuckled. He'd survived the one runout of the board there would be, and now sits with about 38,000 while Gomez still has 52,000. --MH
12:38pm: The top of Nigh drawing nigh?Level 11 - Blinds 600/1,200 (ante 200)
Peter Nigh ended Day 1A sitting in 63rd out of the 63 survivors, while Janir Muller finished Day 1B a number of the big stacks of the 109 making it through that second flight.
Just now Muller opened from early position, Nigh defended his big blind with a call, then the latter folded to a continuation bet following a flop containing both an ace and a king.
Nigh has but 6,000 and appears as if he could be on the very bottom of the counts again with about 160 players left, while Muller presently sits with slightly below 140,000. --MH
12:30pm: Battle of the 'two-timers', Mermelstein cuts down MarioLevel 11 - Blinds 600/1,200 (ante 200)
At the beginning of the day, we mentioned that Table 11 was one of the crucial tougher lineups within the room. Two of these headlining players, both two-time champions of their own regard, just got serious about a large pot that has moved two-time WPT champion Aaron Mermelstein up and over the 100,000 chip mark.
Action was picked up with Austin Peck opening to 2,600 from middle position and after Mermelstein called within the hijack, another player called at the button. Two-time LAPT victor Mario Lopez was within the small blind and he three-bet to 10,800.
Peck inspected the landscape behind him and folded, before Mermelstein installed the mandatory chips for a decision. The button folded and it went heads as much as the Q♠6♥4♠ flop. Lopez led that flop for 9,200 and Mermelstein called to look the 9♠ fall at the turn.
Lopez prepared another barrel and bet 15,900. Mermelstein, who had with regards to 40,000 left behind, called and after the T♥ fell to finish the board, both players quickly checked.
"Ace-high." Lopez said, flashing the A♠ before Mermelstein flipped over Q♦J♦. Top pair was good and before folding, Lopez showed the K♦ and shrugged his shoulders to wonder what else he may have done to win the pot. Evidently nothing and when the dust settled, Mermelstein was playing just over 105,000, while Lopez is down below 45,000. -- WOC
12:27pm: So long, LeoLevel 11 - Blinds 600/1,200 (ante 200)
Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez entered today with a stack of approximately 20 big blinds, but within half an hour of play today the Argentinian is all the way down to zero. No second LAPT Panama title for Fernandez, who won here during Season 6. --MH
Leo grins, bears it
12:16pm: Tough tableLevel 11 - Blinds 600/1,200 (ante 200)
Day 2s often begin with numerous do something about the seat draw and who's wound up where.
As we were cruising the 25 tables here on the start, Table 11 caught our eye way to a line-up including brothers Daniel and Erick Brenes seated next to every other, two-time LAPT Main Event champion Mario Lopez to their left, start-of-day chip leader Maxence Debar next in line, then the Americans Austin Peck and Aaron Mermelstein at the other side.
Quite the line-up, and it looks as if Daniel has already lost his spot among it as King Malik Carter was moved into his seat following a table break. --MH
Mario Lopez (left) and Maxence Debar (right)
12:00pm: Day 2 beginsLevel 11 - Blinds 600/1,200 (ante 200)
Most of the 172 remaining players have arrived and the primary hands of Day 2 are being dealt. --MH
| 11 | 600 | 1,200 | 200 |
10:55am: Maxence Debar leads charge into Day 2
Buenos días again, everyone, from warm and sunny Panama City where just over an hour from now Day 2 of the Latin American Poker Tour Panama Main Event can be getting underway.
From a 553-entry field just 172 players remain, all vying to succeed in the highest 79 spots and the cash, with the $138,225 first prize up top providing still further motivation to make a deep run to Monday's final table.
Best positioned to start today may be Maxence Debar who built an enormous stack of 289,900 by the top of his Day 1 flight.
Maxence seeks max dollars
Debar's nearest challengers to start out Day 2 can be Rafael Escobedo (215,500), Nicolas Baliner (184,900), Jessica Perez (178,900, and Luis Cruz (177,700).
Meanwhile Hunter Cichy (123,500), LAPT8 Peru champion Claudio Moya (122,200), Raul Pino (116,200), Gustavo Lopes (100,200), and Aaron Mermelstein (89,700) all return to above average stacks, while two-time LAPT champions Oscar Alache (88,200), Mario Lopez (81,400), and Nacho Barbero (52,600) remain in contention, as does the lone Team PokerStars Pro within the field, Leo Fernandez (24,900).
Leo's currently looking up on the big stacks
Click here for a glance at an entire rundown of all 172 players' chip counts to start out Day 2.
We'll be back at 12 noon Central time when the primary hands of Day 2 are dealt, and carry you all the way in the course of the bubble bursting and all the way down to 32 players (so goes the plan, anyway) with live updates, photos, chip counts, and more. Hasta entonces! --MH
PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at LAPT9 Panama: Will O'Connor and Martin Harris. Photos by Carlos Monti. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog
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