As the old adage goes, "IT IS NOT the way you start, it's the way you finish." and just today 1A flight took that pronouncing literally during the last few levels of the night. There have been quite a lot of early chip leaders that fell both before and after the dinner break nevertheless it was after that recess that the actual contenders began to emerge.
A well earned time without work for Lopez and his top-three stack
First, was the defending LAPT Uruguay Main Event champion Mario Lopez, who has two LAPT titles in his trophy case. He quickly became the primary player to damage 100,000 and only some dared to follow Super Mario above the century mark. When this 1A session concluded, it was a kind of fighters, Fabian De La Fuente, atop the leaderboard.
He played some of the biggest pots of the night late within the last period, making broadway at the river against Marco Oliveira to transport himself to the highest of the charts. De La Fuente kept that advantage in the course of the remainder of the flight and he'll be the clubhouse leader with 176,400 heading into tomorrow.
De La Fuente bagged the biggest
A few other players managed to complete the night above six-figures, including Andres Viola (148,800), the previously mentioned Lopez (143,000), Juan Parra (113,000) and Emiliano Alcaide (106,800). That group would be the players to overcome when the Evento Principal resumes with Day 1B tomorrow but there are a handful of players within the second wave which will come again Sunday with very workable stacks.
Fernando Oliveira finished just shy of 100,000, along side Jorge Cantos, who bagged 92,500. Pedro Aldave put 79,000 away for Day 2, with Rommel Prado and Patricio Rojas finishing just over 50,000. Dinner break chip leader Carlitos Cai bumped into some late speed bumps to halt his rise, as he finished with just over two starting stacks. The lone female player to compete in today's flight, Igianne Bertoldi, bagged just shy of double starting but she's still alive after ten levels of play.
In total, 59 players advanced through this present day 1A flight -- click here for a whole list of end of Day 1A chip counts. Until then, all of the action from today's opening starting session are available below and the PokerStars Blog team will return tomorrow, at 12 noon, for the second one and final Day 1 session. --WOC
LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event Day 1A Updates
11:52pm: Two more handsLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100
That's right -- dos, after which they're done. --MH
11:45pm: Rojas takes from LopesLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100
Patricio Rojas opened from under the gun for 2,300 and it folded around to Gustavo Lopes at the button who called. The large blind came along, too, and the trio saw a flop come Q♦2♥J♠.
When checked to Rojas bet 3,400, and only Lopes stuck across the. A♠ turn card and another bet of 8,100 from Rojas was greater than Lopes could contend with, however, and he stepped aside.
With not up to a half-hour of Day 1A left to head at the tournament clock, Lopes has 32,000 while Rojas has 55,000. --MH
11:37pm: Table 1 "filled with" actionLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100
Table 1 have been stuffed with action over the past few minutes, as Lucas Tabarin scored a double after which shipped one to the fast stacked Nacho Barbero. The primary hand was picked up at the river, with the board reading A♥8♣4♥7♥A♣ and Tabarin all-in for his final 14,000.
His opponent thought for a couple of moments after which called, only to be shown A♠4♦ for "full", as Tabarin so eloquently put it. His opponent didn't show however the table talk heading into the following handcrafted it seem as if he had turned a flush.
Either way, he still had quite a lot of chips to work with, as he was still behind on the subject of 70,000 but Nacho Barbero didn't have that luxury. He had just over 10,000 and at the very next hand, he three-bet shoved over Tabarin's late position open. The blinds folded and Tabarin called, only to peer he was dominated with K♥J♠ to Barbero's K♠Q♣.
Oddly enough, he picked up one additional out after the Q♥Q♦9♥ flop however the 9♣ gave Barbero an entire"" of his own to ensure the double. After the river meaninglessly brought the 6♥, the dust settled and Tabarin was playing 56,000, while the two-time LAPT champion was just over a 20,000 chip starting stack. -- WOC
11:27pm: De La Fuente on fireLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100
We've been watching Marco Oliveira and Fabian De La Fuente battling from side to side so much here because the last level has begun. Today the pair played a few interesting hands in brief succession, with De La Fuente the only popping out in their skirmishes within the best shape.
Both were three-way hands, actually, the primary finding Oliveira opening from the cutoff, a brief stack within the small blind getting all-in for just over a single big blind, the De La Fuente three-betting from the large blind. Oliveira pushed back with another raise, and after hemming and hawing for a while De La Fuente finally folded his hand face-up, showing A♥K♣.
Oliveira had Q♠Q♣ on that one, and because it happened the board came in a manner to enable the 6♣5♣-playing short-stack to outlive with a small straight. The 4♦3♠A♣7♠Q♦ runout caused De La Fuente to wince at the turn, then exhale with mock glee when the queen arrived.
Soon after that one, those two and a 3rd player saw a flop come 4♥8♣T♦ and after Oliveira bet and De La Fuente only those two remained. They both checked the A♥ turn, then after the Q♦ river Oliveira bet 4,700 into the pot of about 12,000.
De La Fuente sat in thought for several seconds, counting out exactly 4,700 from his stack. He then suddenly sat that on top of 5 blue chips and set it forward -- a large raise to 29,700. That sent Oliveira deep into the tank before he finally found a call, and when De La Fuente tabled K♠J♠ for Broadway (made via the backdoor), Oliveira mucked with some exasperation.
Oliveira slips back to about 35,000 after those exchanges, while De La Fuente now has around 170,000, giving him the chip lead because the night's last level winds down. --MH
11:16pm: Voilà, Viola making late push for chip leadLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100
Andres Viola came back for the last two levels of the night second in chips and while Mario Lopez has continued to inch himself higher, it's Viola that appears just like the chip leader heading into the general 45 minutes of just today 1A session.
The Argentine just won a large pot at an outer table, tabling 6♦6♣ on a board of A♠6♥5♦8♠9♣, along with his opponent calling his river bet only to be shown a flopped set. His opponent threw over the A♥ and started to bemoan his luck, or lack thereof.
While he was forced to return to the planning stage with a 25,000 chip stack, Viola may well be constructing some plans of his own. They certainly would, and should, including plans to make a deep LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event run, as Viola is behind 160,000 heading into the homestretch of this opening starting flight. --WOC
Viola vaults up
11:07pm: Not more 'Laughing Leo'Level 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100
Just over a half-hour ago, PokerStars Team Pro Leo Fernandez was all smiles, laughing and joking together with his Day 1A table. He'd been sat within the same seat because the start of the early levels but our first trip across the room for the overall period of play, showed there have been not more smiles, not more laughing and less Leo.
His seat was empty and all that remained of the Argentine was his "Ovo" armband. With a comparatively quick turnaround for players busting out of this late within the flight, we imagine Fernandez will forgo the after-party but without reference to his evening plans, Leo will definitely be back tomorrow, smiling and laughing like he always is. --WOC
10:59pm: Another levelLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100
They've moved from Level 9 into Level 10 with no break, the last one-hour level of Day 1A before the bagging will commence. --MH
| 10 | 500 | 1,000 | 100 |
10:48pm: AMONG THE fallen; Bertoldi battlingLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100
To update some of those we've been following today, with the Day 1A field now shrunk to simply 72 players, a number of the fallen has been Ricardo Chauriye, Jaime Ateneloff, and Marco Zevola.
Meanwhile Igianne Bertoldi -- the lone female a number of the entire Day 1A field -- remains in action albeit with a brief stack. We saw her open then fold to a three-bet just now, keeping the stack of about 20,000 with which to fight.
That was the volume everyone began today with, however the average now has crept up over 48,000. --MH
10:41pm: Alcaide, Aldave ascend over six-figuresLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100
Coming back from break, Mario Lopez was the one player over the century mark but in the course of the process the extent 9, two other players have eclipsed that mark. Emiliano Alcaide was the primary to take action and that is the reason no surprise, because the Argentine have been at the leaderboard for the simpler a part of this 1A session.
The other, is Pedro Aldave, who has skyrocketed up the charts over the past hour. Aldave finds himself behind as regards to 115,000, good for second overall on this 1A flight.
The PokerStars blog will continue to trace these big stacks inside the last 75 minutes of Day 1A, while all of the field tries to maintain pace with Mario Lopez, who's now working on the subject of 140,000. -- WOC
10:34pm: 'Flipping Brazilians', Foster's 1A session endsLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100
No one loves to play the simpler a part of a starting flight and feature nothing to turn for it, especially the uber competitive Bruno Foster. Unfortunately, his short stack couldn't discover a double in Level 9, meaning he'll be forced to check out again in tomorrow's Day 1B flight.
While the pre flop action was missed, the cards were picked up on their back before the community was dealt, with Foster holding A♠Q♦. His opponent, Ramon Sorgatto, held 9♣9♦ and after the board ran out ten-high, the pocket pair took the pot and sent Foster to the rail.
The two Brazilians exchanged a high-five as Foster exited the tournament area and while Sorgatto is behind 45,000 heading into the overall hour and a half play, we'll certainly see his countryman back for more in 1B. -- WOC
10:23pm: Let's get egg-citedLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100
Making it to Level 9 has earned Day 1A players one added bonus -- passes into the Ovo nightclub here on the Conrad Hotel. The armbands are being passed around at each table presently, with a couple of consulting with one another just what the word "Ovo" (meaning "egg") actually signifies.
During the dinner break your intrepid team of reporters investigated, learning the club doesn't actually open until 1 a.m., with the party usually lasting until dawn. Unsure what number of from this group may be taking on the offer to sign up for the fun, however the indisputable fact that Day 1A players don't play Day 2 until Sunday might encourage a couple of. --MH
10:11pm: Laughing LeoLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100
Leo Fernandez was active and talkative all day at his table, and that trend has continued here initially of the next-to-last level of Day 1A.
Just now we saw the Team PokerStars Pro open from under the gun to 1,800 amid his ongoing chatter, then continue talking and laughing slightly as each of his opponents folded separately. Following a brief announcement he tabled his cards before collecting the pot -- 8♦4♣ -- and that got a few his tablemates talking back through wry grins.
Face time with Fernandez
Fernandez is having fun. And he has about 60,000 in chips at this time. --MH
| 9 | 400 | 800 | 100 |
9:54pm: Last break of the night
With the massive board showing 81 left from the 176 who began Day 1A, players are taking what is going to be the last 15-minute break of the day. Once they return they'll play two more one-hour levels, then bag up for the night. --MH
Ready to embark by yourself poker adventure? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.9:45pm: Lopez leads into final two levels, by two stacksLevel 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75
Super Mario is right, as two-time LAPT champion Mario Lopez have been flexing his Argentinian muscles over the past few levels. He returned from the dinner break in the midst of the pack but ever since, he's done nothing but grow.
Easy to sit back behind those stacks
Lopez is the one player working a six-figure stack heading into the general break of the night, nearly greater than 40,000 greater than his nearest competitor. That's the Andres Viola, who's also Argentinian, with Rommel Prado rounding out the top-three with a house grown Uruguayan stack of nearly 90,000.
Those two will attempt to derail Lopez over the homestretch of this present day 1A flight but so far, Lopez seems like he's on course to position up a major title defense after winning this event last year. AN ENTIRE list of the highest stacks heading into the overall break is supplied below. --WOC
| Mario Lopez | 132,000 |
| Andres Viola | 97,000 |
| Rommel Prado | 87,000 |
| Emiliano Alcaide | 86,000 |
| Mauricio Olivera | 78,000 |
| Janir Muller | 74,000 |
| Jorge Cantos | 72,000 |
| Gustavo Lopez | 64,000 |
9:32pm: Super MarioLevel 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75
Mario Lopez and Bruno Foster has been battling the extent and as they approach the following break Lopez has taken the higher hand again. In fact, the two-time LAPT champion looks as if he's moved back up into the Day 1A chip lead again.
In the latest clash, Lopez was calling down bets from Foster from out of position because the board came 8♣2♣A♥9♠2♦, then at the river checked again and watched Foster fire another 14,100 (about two-thirds pot). Lopez considered after which called, turning over A♦K♣. Foster held his cards up so Lopez could see them -- it seemed like queen-jack for a failed multi-barrel bluff -- before tossing them dealerward.
Foster slips the entire way right down to just 12,000, while Lopez is now on about 130,000. --MH
9:19pm: Under the century markLevel 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75
This Day 1A flight began with just over 175 players and midway through Level 8, the sector has dropped below the century mark. With under 100 players remaining, it is going to be interesting to peer what number of survive this primary starting flight.
While all of the remaining field will hope they haven't played through seven and a half levels for naught, tomorrow's Day 1B session can function a backup plan for those who don't survive the overall two and a half hours. This 1A session will play during the rest of Level 8, with a brief break readying the sphere for homestretch, because the plastic will pop out after Level 10. -- WOC
9:06pm: Lopez lets it go after Foster five-bet shovesLevel 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75
Mario Lopez opened for 1,200 from middle position and it folded around to Bruno Foster who made it 4,000 to head from the button. The blinds stepped aside, then Lopez reraised back to 12,400.
Foster took a moment, then announced he was all-in. A count showed the rush was for around 41,000, and after thinking half-minute or so Lopez decided to release his hand.
Lopez is right down to about 58,000 while Foster moves up around 55,000. --MH
8:57pm: The primary of many...Level 7: Blinds 250/450, Ante 50
As mentioned earlier, this LAPT9 Uruguay festival will crown over a dozen champions over the following week and the primary Spade was just awarded within the $300 NL Hold'em Turbo event.
Juan Martin Abal claimed the primary LAPT9 Uruguay 'Spade'
Juan Martin Abal claimed the title, adding to a 2014 victory at the Conrad Poker Tour at Punta del Este. We'll keep a watch out for Abal in tomorrow's Day 1B flight but until then, you'll discover all the LAPT9 Uruguay schedule here. --WOC
| 8 | 300 | 600 | 75 |
8:47pm: Lopez leaps up the chartsLevel 7: Blinds 250/450, Ante 50
Everyone remain calm, I repeat, everyone remain calm although it may well be hard while you learn that two-time LAPT champion Mario Lopez now seems like he's contending for the chip lead with just over 85,000. Lopez got off to a slow start on this Day 1A flight however the Argentine doubler has grown considerably since getting back from dinner, along with his most up-to-date conquest coming in a multi-way pot.
Action was picked up with a player in middle position raising to 1,100 and after some folds, another player installed a three-bet to 3,200 from the small blind. Lopez was waiting within the big blind and he called, before the unique raiser called in addition. The small blind checked the Q♠9♥7♣ flop, only to look Lopez bet 1,875.
With on the subject of 10,000 within the pot already, it was an especially small wager however it was enough to force out the in position player. The small blind didn't leave that easily though, as he called to peer the 4♦ fall at the turn. He checked again and this time, Lopez went for the jugular, betting 10,600.
That was a big majority of his opponent's stack and after on the subject of a minute and a 1/2 thought, the player folded to concede the pot to Lopez. When the dust settled, Lopez and Marco Oliveira, featured below, look to be neck and neck for the 1A chip lead. -- WOC
Two-timer Mario Lopez looking good
8:31pm: Oliveira ousts ChauriyeLevel 7: Blinds 250/450, Ante 50
Augustin Castresana opened from under the gun to 1,100, then watched it fold around to the late position players where both the hijack and cutoff called the raise. Then Fabian Chauriye gathered chips and fired out a three-bet to 4,050 from the button, and it folded to Marco Oliveira within the big blind.
Oliveira didn't fold right away, and after a couple of seconds it became clear he was going to get entangled to boot. Finally he put out a small stack that after counted turned out to be 11,500, forcing prompt folds from Castresana and the primary two callers.
Chauriye leaned forward to inspect the four-bet, then pushed out another reraise to 20,000 even. Once Oliveira got an concept of what Chauriye had left behind -- about 15,000 more -- he announced he was all-in and Chauriye called to position himself at risk.
Chauriye: A♣K♦Oliveira: Q♥Q♣
The race was on, and five cards later -- 8♠7♠5♥J♥T♥ -- it was Oliveira's queens remaining in front on the finish. Chauriye is out, while Oliveira is now up around 85,000 and the plain leader nowadays. --MH
8:20pm: Late? No, perfect timing for Janir MullerLevel 7: Blinds 250/450, Ante 50
Of the 176 players that entered Day 1A, we imagine that Janir Muller was one of the vital last, as he wasn't spotted until after the dinner break. The Brazilian could be late by most standards but after recording a career best score within the last LAPT9 Main Event in Panama, it seems like he's timed his Uruguayan entrance to perfection.
Muller was interested in a pot with Federico Prieto and another opponent on a board of K♦5♦2♥A♥, with Muller checking from middle position. Prieto, who was within the cutoff, bet 2,000 and after the unknown player called at the button, Muller did in addition to send three to the river.
The Q♠ completed the board and after a couple of moments of thought, Muller bet 3,000. The late registrant had just over 8,000 behind and upon getting an estimated count of his opponent's remaining stack, Prieto raised to 13,000.
The player at the button folded and Muller quickly pushed his short stack into the center. Prieto confidently tabled Q♦Q♥ but his rivered set was no good, as Muller tabled J♦T♠ for broadway.
While Prieto grimaced and counted his now 35,000 chip stack, Muller quickly began stacking his newly won chips. He's behind just over 30,000 and he might be trending towards another deep run, despite getting into today's flight later than most. -- WOC
8:14pm: 176 enter Day 1ALevel 7: Blinds 250/450, Ante 50
With late registration now closed for this primary of 2 Day 1 flights, we've learned a complete of 176 entered today.
The reentry option isn't available any more today either, although anyone busting before the tip of play tonight will still be capable to get back and play tomorrow on Day 1B.
Right now the massive board is showing 117 players remain in action. --MH
8:11pm: Barbero loses a fewLevel 7: Blinds 250/450, Ante 50
Nacho Barbero returned from the break to lower than average chips, and now sits with a fair shorter stack after losing a preflop all-in against a shorter-stacked opponent.
The two-time LAPT champion had A♦J♦ and the preflop edge against the other's Q♥J♥, and after the 5♦6♠8♥ flop and K♥ turn had a couple besides. However the 6♥ river gave his opponent a winning flush, and Barbero sinks to about 12,000. --MH
8:02pm: Ben could be trying again in 1BLevel 7: Blinds 250/450, Ante 50
Season 6 Player of the Year Amos Ben returned from the dinner break with slightly below half a starting stack an unfortunately for the Chilean, he was bounced just ten minutes after the restart. Ben opened in early position after which saw another player three-bet to 3,500 from the button.
The blinds folded and Ben quickly committed his final 9,000 chips, only to look his opponent call with J♠J♦. Ben was drawing thin with 9♦9♣ and after the K♣6♣5♦A♠A♣ runout, he was officially sent to the rail.
Ben will now need to wait the night to take a look at to make another deep LAPT Main Event run and we fully expect him to be a contender in tomorrow's 1B session. --WOC
7:57pm: What's good for the goose? The ConradLevel 7: Blinds 250/450, Ante 50
Among those getting back from the break to above average stacks is Vinicius Rodrigues.
Friend of Uruguayan star Pablo "elmelogno4" Melogno, Rodrigues had traveled from his home in Brazil to Punta del Este a few weeks early to be able to visit him and play some WCOOP events. Meanwhile he entered a tournament here on the Conrad a few weeks ago and managed to top a field of 94 to win a $50,300 first prize -- a pleasant prelude both to the WCOOP and this LAPT festival.
Better referred to as "ganso" -- meaning "goose" -- Rodrigues is sitting behind a stack of more than 60,000 at the moment as Level 7 gets going. We'll see if the "goose" can continue his run-good here on the Conrad. --MH
"Ganso" going great
7:48pm: Play resumesLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50
Players are back from dinner and cards are within the air all over again. The beginning of Level 7 means late registration has ended, so we'll discover soon just what number of Day 1A entrants there have been. --MH
| 7 | 250 | 500 | 50 |
6:30pm: Cai top into 1A dinner breakLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50
Carlitos Cai leads into dinner
Six levels of play have come and gone here in Day 1A of the LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event and because it stands, Carlitos Cai holds the chip lead with 71,000. He did nothing but climb during the last two levels but there are a couple of players right behind him heading into the 75-minute dinner recess.
Emiliano Alcaide sits at 68,000, with Rommel Prado continuing to construct despite his tough seat to the suitable of PokerStars Team Pro Leo Fernandez. Brazil's Gustavo Lopez sits near the chip leaders, with Gaston Carrera rounding out the top-five.
There are not up to ten players over the 50,000 chip mark, with those competitors listed below. They'll pace this field into Level 7 and be leading when the sphere is frozen after late registration closes after dinner. -- WOC
| Carlitos Cai | 71,000 |
| Emiliano Alcaide | 68,000 |
| Rommel Prado | 66,000 |
| Gustavo Lopez | 61,000 |
| Gaston Carrera | 58,000 |
| Andres Viola | 56,000 |
| Rafael Bravo | 52,000 |
| Federico Prieto | 51,000 |
6:19pm: River saves BrunoLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50
Bruno Foster was only a card clear of elimination. The community cards were being delivered, and with the board as much as 3♣A♣Q♦K♠ his K♣2♣ for a flush draw plus a couple of kings was behind his opponent's A♠J♣.
But the river brought the K♦ to provide Foster trips and enable him to bypass leaving early previous to the impending dinner break. He has about 28,000 now. --MH
6:03pm: Half-hour until dinnerLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50
This Day 1A flight is flying by and we're now only a half-hour from the 75-minute dinner break. With late registration open until the beginning of Level 7, when play resumes after the dinner recess, that leaves close and hour and 45 minutes to get within the action.
If players are eliminated from this primary starting flight, or unable to play, there may be still always tomorrow's Day 1B session. -- WOC
5:51pm: Are you prepared for some...Futbol?Level 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50
During the autumn and winter months, NFL jerseys are pulled from the closet and dusted off before making their technique to countless poker tables around the U.s.. While last night's Thursday Night Football tie between the brand new England Patriots and Houston Texans was broadcast on the Conrad hotel, after some channel surfing, the yankee sport hasn't exactly caught on for LAPT players.
Rafael Bravo, in Real Madrid cap, all smiles
Instead of NFL jerseys, real futbol apparel is on display today, with, excuse our American tongues, soccer jerseys scattered across the tournament area. Real Madrid and Barcelona are always fan favorites, with Hamburg (Germany) and Olympiacos (Greece) getting shout outs as well.
Maybe on Sunday the NFL merchandise gets brought out but until then, it's futbol, futbol, futbol for just today 1A flight. -- WOC
5:41pm: First glances, second guessesLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50
Initially there didn't seem anything remarkable happening at Table 3. But closer scrutiny revealed there has been more happening than that initial glance might need revealed.
There was 7,000 within the middle and the board read K♥3♣3♠, meaning there have been considerable preflop action between Bruno Foster and his lone opponent. And while there have been no chips set forward to suggest a bet, it soon became evident one have been made.
How did that become plain to peer? Foster removed his earbuds. He looked up on the ceiling. He exhaled.
It was obvious. He had a choice to make. A LARGE one.
Foster's opponent -- who had him covered -- had announced an all-in bet, and while the scene may need become clearer to an observer, the entire situation perceived to have grown especially cloudy from Foster's perspective.
Finally with a headshake the Brazilian let his hand go, preserving the 12,000 or so he had behind. And with a last eyeball roll from Foster, the second one guessing has begun. --MH
"I could be folding, but I AM NOT letting go of this hand."
5:27pm: Gustavo Santucci puts Zevola to test, bounces Alex SakiLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50
PokerStars Blog blogger Martin Harris has caught Marco Zevola do nothing but increase his stack over the past two levels but he was just put to the test by Gustavo Santucci. The Brazilian installed a large check-raise on an overly coordinated board and, after Zevola passed the test, moved Santucci up the charts.
Action was picked up on a board of 9♠6♠5♦8♦, with Santucci checking from the small blind. Zevola betting 4,400 from the large blind. Alex Saki, who was in early position, then called all-in for less.
Santucci then sprung into action, check-raising all-in for 16,600. Zevola gave the look of he had an excessively big decision on his hands and he went into the tank, thinking for just about three minutes. Eventually, he didn't commit anymore of his 44,000 chip stack and when the hands were tabled, he was glad he did.
The short stacked Saki showed A♠T♠ for a flush draw but Santucci had turned a straight with 7♥7♣. The 3♦ completed the board and confirmed Saki's elimination, while moving Santucci up near 50,000.
While Saki headed clear of the tournament area, Zevola and Santucci exchanged some words and it'll be interesting to observe these two battle over the following couple of levels, as a dynamic looks to be developing. -- WOC
| 6 | 200 | 400 | 50 |
5:18pm: Good start for BertoldiLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25
A journey across the front half the convention center where today's Main Event is playing out reveals greater than 150 players have registered thus far on Day 1A.
At the instant Igianne Bertoldi of Brazil may be the only woman some of the field. She also sticks out among her competitors for having collected one of the crucial biggest cashes of these in action here today, too. In March 2014 Bertoldi topped a 569-entry field within the BSOP Panama Main Event to win a primary prize of R$198,050 (around $84K USD).
Bertoldi has gotten off to a good start today, chipping up around 35,000 thus far. --MH
Igianne running just fine
5:13pm: Barbero battling backLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25
Nacho Barbero was on the bottom of the pre-second break chip count list but during the first 40 minutes of Level 5, he's battled back in a large way. Barbero is now playing the easier a part of 50,000, while multi-tabling on PokerStars.
During the last LAPT9 Main Event in Panama, Barbero notched a deep run in SCOOP Event #17-H: $2,100 PL Omaha [Heads-Up] and he looks to be trying his luck on both the live and online platforms today.
We'll be keeping our eyes on him at the former medium today, as he continues to climb on this Day 1A flight and battle it out on this planet Championship of Online Poker. -- WOC
Barbero battling both live and online
5:05pm: That's gonna leave a MarcoLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25
Marco Zevola just won another pot while eliminating a player here in Level 5.
Catching up with things at the river, the board showed A♠A♣5♦Q♠7♠ when Zevola very deliberately put out a chance from the cutoff seat.
It was greater than what his neighbor at the button had left, and when his opponent called off Zevola showed A♥7♥ for aces full. With a toss of his cards up within the air his opponent mucked, then overturned some of the cards -- an ace -- before heading railward and leaving Zevola to battle onward along with his chips.
Zevola has about 45,000. --MH
Full house for Zevola
4:53pm: Carlitos Cai joins pre-break chip leaderLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25
Before the last break, there has been just one player working greater than three starting stacks but early in Level 5, Carlitos Cai has joined Nicholas Horacio on the top of the leaderboard. Cai just won a large pot against a player at a central table, with that hand getting picked up on a board of K♣K♦9♣9♠.
Cai checked from the blinds and his opponent, who had opened the action from under the gun, bet 2,600. Cai responded with a check-raise, to 5,600 and his opponent quickly called to peer the 8♦ complete the board.
Cai thought for a couple of moments after which slid out 6,600, which as a significant portion of his opponent's remaining 14,000 chip stack. Despite presently calling the turn raise, the in position player took with reference to a minute to commit the chips at the end and when he did, he saw the bad news. Cai tabled K♥Q♥ and his opponent cringed before quietly sending his cards into the muck.
When the dust settled, Cai was stacking up just over 68,000, which looks to be good for the chip lead nearly halfway through this present day 1A flight. -- WOC
4:45pm: The best, from the restLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25
While the list of chip counts provided on the end of Level 4 highlighted players that we've mentioned during the first four periods of play, there are a handful of alternative players trending over two starting stacks. Federico Prieto leads that group, as he's moved himself over the 55,000 chip mark at an outer table.
Javier Venegas is simply below that 50,000 chip threshold, in conjunction with Rafael Bravo. Uruguayan Rommel Prado just moved tables and now finds himself seated to the direct right of PokerStars Team Pro Leo Fernandez. Prado, no relation to our Brazilian blogging counterpart, is behind 41,000, with Manoel Assuncao also playing just over 40,000.
As this field builds, with two levels and a dinner break of late registration still available, the PokerStars blog will continue to trace the highest of the leaderboard. --WOC
4:40pm: Ricardo busts oneLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25
Richardo Chauriye just claimed some chips -- and reduced the sector by one -- after a preflop all-in during which his A♠9♠ outran an opponent's 7♦7♥ way to a T♠9♣J♦5♦3♦ runout.
Ricardo Chauriye (left), with Matias Ruzzi (right)
Chauriye remains to be below the average, however, regardless of that win, down around 12,000 at the present time. --MH
| 5 | 150 | 300 | 25 |
4:14pm: Break it up
Four levels in, and players are off over again on a 15-minute break. --MH
Ready to embark by yourself poker adventure? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.4:03pm: Big names leading through four framesLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25
While it's still early on this Day 1A flight, the second one break is when the leaderboard starts to take shape. There'll be changes, some drastic, to this list over the following few hours but heading into another 15-minute recess, some big names are pacing this field.
Season 7 Player of the Year Nicolas Horacio is leading the best way with over three starting stacks, while PokerStars Team Pro Leo Fernandez has also gotten off to a hot start. Fernandez joined the action after the primary break and in two hours, has greater than doubled his 20,000 start bank.
Brazil's Gustavo Lopez in sandwiched between Horacio and Fernandez, with the previously mentioned Marco Zevola and Fabian Chauriye also over 40,000. A LISTING of the highest stacks, in conjunction with any other names we've highlighted in the course of the first four levels is supplied below. --WOC
| Nicholas Horacio | 65,000 |
| Gustavo Lopes | 48,000 |
| Leo Fernandez | 47,000 |
| Fabian Chauriye | 43,000 |
| Marco Zevola | 41,000 |
| Igianne Bertoldi | 33,000 |
| Amos Ben | 24,000 |
| Mario Lopez | 23,000 |
| Sergio Luis Pego | 22,000 |
| Nacho Barbero | 14,000 |
3:49pm: Zevola zeroes in at the answerLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25
Marco Zevola of Argentina was collecting tournament cashes in South America for many years now, and in reality his biggest score came here in Punta del Este back in June when he final-tabled the BSOP High Roller here on the Conrad to complete seventh and collect $13,390.
Just now Zevola had a tricky river decision to make in a degree 4 hand, and because it turned out he made the precise choice.
With about 7,500 already within the middle and the board showing K♦A♣8♦T♠, Marco Zevola checked, then after watching his opponent fire a raffle of 2,425 thought for some time before calling.
The river was the 4♥, and after checking again Zevola faced yet one more bet, this one for 5,000. Zevola sat in thought for 2 full minutes before finally zeroing in at the decision to name. He had A♥J♥, and saw he was a winner as his opponent had A♦5♦.
The Argentinian is up around 38,000 now. --MH
3:36pm: The longest standing 'two-timer'Level 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25
While we've mentioned two two-time LAPT champions throughout the early element of our Day 1A coverage, those players each recently won their second titles. Mario Lopez's came on this event last year and Oscar Alache's came in 2015 as well.
That means that, at most, those players was on the lookout for a 3rd LAPT victory for with regards to a year, Nacho Barbero at the other hand, was in search of the simpler a part of six. His two LAPT titles came in 2010, winning in both Peru and here in Uruguay.
In between those two trips to the LAPT winner's circle, Barbero added a $20,000 High Roller victory to his resume from the EPT7 stop in London, which was good for a career best $870,000 score. Since then, Barbero has amassed over $3,000,000 in live earnings and he'll now look to notch his first LAPT score since final tabling last year's LAPT8 Chile Main Event, which was won by Alache. --WOC
Alache searching for another Oscar-worthy performance
3:24pm: Chips for ChauriyeLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25
Fabian Chauriye opened with a raise from middle position and it folded around to Joaquin Ruiz who defended his blind with a decision. The Argentinian Ruiz is hoping to higher his third-place finish within the LAPT7 Brazil Main Event.
The flop came T♠8♦Q♣, and after Ruiz checked Chauriye chose to test behind. The turn then brought the 5♠ and a number one bet of 900 from Ruiz, called by Chauriye.
The river J♣ completed the board. Ruiz paused a beat, then fired 1,100 into the center. After waiting about 15 seconds, Chauriye dropped a handful of chips in a small splash before him -- a raise to 4,400.
Ruiz thought for some time then came up with a call, but mucked quickly upon seeing Chauriye's A♥K♦ -- he had the nuts with a Broadway straight.
Chauriye chips up on the subject of 50,000 now while Ruiz slips to around 30,000. --MH
| 4 | 100 | 200 | 25 |
2:57pm: Priority sign in for two-time champLevel 3: Blinds 100/200
Indeed, Mario Lopez has joined the sphere and sits behind a 20,000-chip starting stack as Level 3 continues. --MH
2:37pm: Checking in at the defending champ (checking in)Level 3: Blinds 100/200
During the lobby walkthrough on the last break we spied LAPT8 Uruguay Main Event winner Mario Lopez within the check-in line, meaning the Argentinian and two-time LAPT Main Event champion is indeed back to defend his title. We'll see if he jumps in today or waits until tomorrow's second and last Day 1 flight. --MH
2:29pm: Alache's ace-king picks off Arnold's 'misclick'Level 3: Blinds 100/200
While the remainder of this present day 1A flight was enjoying the primary little while in their break, a large pot was playing out on a central table, involving our newly seated two-time LAPT champion. Action was picked up pre flop, with Oscar Alache three-betting from the button and Alejandro Arnold calling within the cutoff.
Arnold checked the 4♦3♣2♥ flop, before calling Alache's 1,500 chip continuation bet. The Q♣ fell at the turn and Arnold checked for a second time. Alache thought for a couple of moments before sliding out 3,200 and that's the reason when things got interesting.
The out of position Arnold went into the tank for just about a minute and a half, before he reached for and threw out a multi-colored stack of chips. His body language made it look like he was ready for the river but after the dealer fanned out his call, a blue 5,000 value chip was discovered. Nobody said a word but Alache peered over to his opponent, seeking to decipher if it was a real misclick.
After a couple of seconds of visual inquiry, Alache called the 8,200 chip check-raise and because the pair headed to the river, a good crowd had developed to peer potentially the most important pot of the primary two levels play out. The J♦ completed the board and for a 3rd time, Arnold checked his option. Alache shot his opponent another slightly confused look before tapping the table himself, to look Arnold table A♥7♥.
Alache turned over A♣K♦ and his ace-high, with an exceptional kicker, was ok to win the pot. When the dust settled, both exchanged some words, although what was said was unknown to us. What we do know is that only a few minutes after joining the action, Oscar Alache is off to an even start, with over the 30,000 chips. --WOC
2:22pm: Back in actionLevel 3: Blinds 100/200
With greater than 100 players in action now players are back of their seats and Level 3 has begun. Late registration remains open in the course of the start of Level 7. --MH
| 3 | 100 | 200 | 0 |
2:01pm: Break time
The first two levels are within the books, and players at the moment are taking their first 15-minute break of the day. --MH
Ready to embark by yourself poker adventure? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.1:51pm: Victor Teixeira seeking another victoryLevel 2: Blinds 75/150
We're seeing still more moderen champs turning up here, the most recent being Victor Teixeira of Brazil.
Teixeira is a frequent participant at the BSOP tour, and only a few weeks ago picked up a pleasant first prize of R$263,800 (about $82K USD) for topping a 656-entry field within the BSOP Natal Main Event, his best career cash by far.
Teixeira takes a seat
Teixeira has around 15,000 -- slightly below the starting stack -- as Level 2 winds down. --MH
1:35pm: Alache going for LAPT 'triple'Level 2: Blinds 75/150
We just introduced you to Uruguay's "Godfather of Poker" and LAPT Season 7 Player of the Year Nicolas Horacio however the last player to enroll in the Day 1A action needs no introduction. That's because you've seen Oscar Alache time and time again within the LAPT winner's circle.
The Chilean won his first LAPT title on the 2014 Peru stop after which added a second last year in his home country. Since then, Alache has made a couple of runs towards a 3rd LAPT victory, falling just wanting the overall table during May's Panama Main Event.
As the reigning LAPT Player of the Year, for Season 8, Alache will definitely be a player to observe over the following few days, as he tries to become the primary to succeed in a LAPT triple. --WOC 1:28pm: Horacio on handLevel 2: Blinds 75/150
They're greater than halfway in the course of the day's second level and nearly 100 players are registered to this point. Late registration (including the reentry option) is on the market in the course of the start of Level 7.
Among the almost-one-hundred is LAPT Season 7 Player of the Year Horacio Nicolas of Argentina. Nicolas is hoping to enhance on his 12th-place finish within the LAPT8 Uruguay Main Event here a year ago. --MH
1:16pm: Meet Jaime Ateneloff, Uruguay's "Godfather of Poker"Level 2: Blinds 75/150
The 85-year-old Jaime Ateneloff is here quietly battling his way during the early levels. Ateneloff is a huge a part of poker in Uruguay, arguably one of the most game's most significant influences.
Jaime Ateneloff -- off and running
The man from Montevideo began playing in earnest in the course of the 1980s, soon befriending another "Godfather of Poker" -- Humberto Brenes -- and finally moving over to Costa Rica where he studied the sport with Brenes.
Ateneloff brought what he learned back to Uruguay where he played a job in helping to grow the sport further. Meanwhile he also began picking up quite a few tournament cashes, including three on the 2003 WSOP including a fourth-place finish in a preliminary event.
Ateneloff is still an ordinary at events here in Uruguay and Argentina. This past summer came a pleasing moment for him and his friends here on the Conrad when the Brazilian Series of Poker stopped in June. There have been 786 entries within the $800 buy-in Main Event, and when it was far and wide Ateneloff was the only holding all of the chips and winning the $88,229 first prize -- his largest career tournament cash.
We're glad to look Ateneloff -- indeed, it wouldn't seem right for this last LAPT Main Event in Uruguay to have happened without him. We'll see if he can continue to ride the momentum from his triumph here three months ago. --MH
1:03pm: Do we see Fabrizio 'SixthSenSe19' Gonzalez?Level 2: Blinds 75/150
During the last LAPT9 series, the Spring Championship of Online Poker was in full swing and this time around, the stakes have risen on PokerStars, because the World Championship of Online Poker is running simultaneously with this LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event. There may be just over every week left of WCOOP action and if Fabrizio Gonzalez can continue to crush, the Uruguayan will likely lock up WCOOP Player of the Series honors.
Gonzalez, who plays under the name 'SixthSenSe19' claimed his fourth COOP title last week and with an over 100 point lead at the remainder of the POOS leaderboard, individuals are waiting to look if the web wizard makes a live appearance for this LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event. That is not to mention that Gonzalez hasn't crushed the live game either, as he's amassed over $1,000,000 in career earnings clear of his computer, including two final table finishes at Punta del Este.
It is still seen if we'll see 'SixthSenSe19' this weekend but even supposing we don't, we still have you ever covered with LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event updates and the entire WCOOP action at the PokerStars blog. --WOC
Want to compete on the planet Championship of Online Poker? Join PokerStars and join the WCOOP action today. Click here to get an account.| 2 | 75 | 150 | 0 |
1:00pm: Side events starting upLevel 1: Blinds 50/100
While the PokerStars blog will only be covering the LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event, this final LAPT festival will award just below 20 'Spade' trophies over the following week. The Evento Principal trophy won't be awarded until next Wednesday, when the general table plays to a victor but today, two side event titles are up for grabs.
The first, would be the $300 NL Hold'em Turbo event, that is set to begin in a couple of minutes after which an hour later, the $200 PL Omaha event will begin. Those events could function a pleasing warmup for players seeking to get into tomorrow's Day 1B flight, or a pseudo satellite, as each field is predicted to create a good prize pool for those fortunate enough to make their way into the money.
Again, the PokerStars blog will only be providing live updates and coverage for the primary Event but an entire list of the LAPT9 Uruguay schedule are available at the LAPT website. -- WOC
12:51pm: Ricardo playing cardsLevel 1: Blinds 50/100
We mentioned how Fabian Chauriye is here. So, too, is his brother, Ricardo Chauriye -- another familiar face who has enjoyed past success at the LAPT.
More recently Ricardo had a robust showing on the European Poker Tour Barcelona festival in August where he picked up four cashes, including a third-place in a €1,100 event and a victory in another €2,200 tournament only a few days later.
Like most to this point here on the end of the day's first level, Richardo Chauriye is hovering not too removed from the 20,000-chip starting stack after nearly an hour's worth of poker. --MH
12:37pm: Sergio Luis Pego picking up early potsLevel 1: Blinds 50/100
With the blinds sitting at 50/100 for one more twenty minutes, after which progressively inching their way up, we do not expect to look that many huge play pots out until the center section of this present day 1A flight. Sergio Luis Pego isn't on that schedule though, as he's played two sizable pots during the last orbit, to just about double his Day 1A starting stack.
The first hand was picked up with the cards on their back, with Pego showing the player to his left a rivered full house. A COUPLE OF hands later, Pego and Jorge Ramella got focused on another battle, this time on a flop of K♣J♥7♦. Ramella, who was within the blinds, checked after which check-raised to 1,800 after Pego continued for 700.
Quickly, the Argentine called and after the 7♠ paired the board at the turn, Ramella bet 2,550. It wasn't enough to discourage Pego, as he called for a second time, to peer the 9♦ complete the board. The out of position Ramella reached for chips and at last dropped 4,000 into the middle, with Pego taking a moment to think before he flicked a single yellow, 1,000 value unit in for a call.
Ramella tabled K♦J♦, for 2 pair nevertheless it was no good, as Pego caught the river to make a straight with Q♠T♦. His opponent could only shake his head and count his now 12,000 chip stack, while Pego stacked up as regards to 38,500. That's likely good for the early 1A chip lead, although there's a lot of poker left to be played today... --WOC
12:25pm: Other early arriversLevel 1: Blinds 50/100
A few more folks we're recognizing some of the now 60-plus players in action here throughout the day's first level.
LAPT6 Peru champ Patricio Rojas is here, in search of a second Main Event title.
So, too, is Gustavo Lopes of Brazil who final tabled the last two LAPT Main Events in Sao Paulo, Brazil, finishing eighth both times. Lopes also enjoyed success this summer on the World Series of Poker where he finished 159th for a $49,108 cash. Along the best way he was the chip leader to complete some of the Day 2 flights -- the primary Brazilian player ever to earn that accomplishment.
Gustavo from the get-go
And speaking of Brazilian players -- and WSOP Main Event success -- Bruno Foster is here, too. Foster's best known for his eighth-place finish within the 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event. --MH
12:12pm: Chauriye wants another chance at titleLevel 1: Blinds 50/100
There are a handful of familiar faces on this early arriving crowd but one sticks out among them all, as Fabian Chauriye will hope this LAPT stop is as successful because the one in his home country six months ago.
Chauriye finished 2nd within the LAPT9 Chile Main Event in March, falling to Rodrigo Strong heads up after a deal secured him a career best $110,000 score. That runner-up result came only a few months after a deep run within the $5,000 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event and since then, Chauriye has added a handful of different scores, from Europe and the Americas, to his tournament resume.
He'll now attempt to end this LAPT season with a bang, as Chauriye will look to best that runner-up finish and claim his first live tournament title this weekend. --WOC
12:09pm: Staying connectedLevel 1: Blinds 50/100
There are 10 short-handed tables in action because the day's first level gets going -- a bit of under 50 players to this point. Up to now probably the most asked question amid the dealing of hands hasn't been "Is that a call?" or "How much?" or "Will you show?"
No, to this point the best concern hasn't been over cards and chips and the action they produce.
"What's the wi-fi?"
All are finding their way online easily enough. Who'll have the ability to find their way throughout the day's 10 one-hour levels is still seen. --MH
12:02pm: Shuffle up and dealLevel 1: Blinds 50/100
The preliminary announcements all having been made, the primary entrants into the LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event are of their seats and receiving their initial hands of the tournament.
The starting stack is 20,000. --MH
| 1 | 50 | 100 | 0 |
11:30am: Welcome to Punta del Este and the LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event
Buenos días, poker fans. It is a beautiful, sunny but cool September day here in Punta del Este where we're a couple of half-hour clear of the beginning of the Latin American Poker Tour Uruguay Main Event.
While PokerStars will continue to go to all of poker players' favorite destinations in both Central and South America going forward, that is -- in a way -- the general Latin American Poker Tour festival here in Uruguay, as all that continues to be in Season 9 would be the Grand Final in Brazil (that is, a single event, not a complete festival). The L-A-S-T LAPT, chances are you'll say, although as we say, next year the PokerStars Championship and PokerStars Festival series will continue the tradition under new names.
Over the following five days, the $1,500 Main Event will play out within the convention center of the sumptuous Conrad hotel.
They'll start with a few Day 1 flights today and Saturday, each lasting 10 one-hour levels. The tournament is reendtradas ilimitadas, meaning unlimited reentries can be found during the start of Level 7 today, then anyone busting after that may still come again to play tomorrow's Day 1B in the event that they desire. There'll be a 75-minute dinner break after Level 6.
A year ago it was the Argentinian Mario Lopez winning his second LAPT Main Event title here in Punta del Este, topping a 267-entry field (for a $3,300 buy-in event) to win the trophy and a $155,730 first prize.
It's still a short time before that 12 noon start, so we may take a brief walk outside to benefit from the blue skies and brisk breeze whipping backward and forward. Get back then as we'll start updating how the chips move from side to side around the tables here at LAPT9 Uruguay! --MH
Ready to embark by yourself poker adventure? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at LAPT9 Uruguay: Will O'Connor and Martin Harris. Photos by Carlos Monti. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog
Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Latin American Poker Tour]
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