Thursday, September 29, 2016

LAPT9 Uruguay: Pedro Claus fills bag filled with chips to guide to Main Event final tableNO Deposit bonus $43

We had a sense an Argentinian player could be resulting in starting tomorrow's final table here on the Latin American Poker Tour Uruguay Main Event. Finally there have been only 25 a number of the final 32 (!), and indeed certainly one of them -- Pedro Claus -- would be the frontrunner when tomorrow's final day kicks off.

Claus grabbed the chip lead through the late afternoon and held onto it throughout the end of the day as he ultimately collected 2.23 million. Quite a bit to fill a bag at night's end, not unlike the massive bag of children's gifts carried around by his namesake every Christmas. We do not expect him to be gifting them to anyone tomorrow, though.

Pedro Claus-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-8116.jpg

Pedro Claus

When play began in this Day 3 of the Latin American Poker Tour Uruguay Main Event, just 32 were left from the 438-entry starting field, all with a watch toward making tomorrow's eight-handed final table and earning a large piece of the event's $571,590 prize pool -- perhaps the $110,870 sitting up top for the winner.

At the beginning of play two-time LAPT Main Event champion Mario Lopez held the chip lead, and as he maintained his big stack throughout the early going it appeared in all probability he'd no less than be making it to tomorrow. But because the field whittled down -- with Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez probably the most early knockouts in 29th -- Lopez saw others pass him within the counts, eventually going out in 14th.

Fernandez and Lopez were two of these 25 Argentinian players a number of the final 32, but with 13 left there have been still 10 of them some of the field. LAPT Season 6 Player of the Year Amos Ben of Chile next fell in 13th, followed by two more Argentinians -- Fabian De La Fuente (12th) and Julio Alberto Grimau (11th) -- the latter unfortunately losing his stack in a hand during which he misread his cards (see the hand report -- and reports of each other elimination today -- down below).

Meanwhile Claus had already well established his chip lead, widening it even further on the nine-handed final table which ultimately only lasted about an orbit. 

The night ended with one last Argentinian, Fernando Vitola, falling to at least one of the rest Brazilians, Fernando Araujo. That pot put Araujo as much as 1.49 million to finish the night to secure him second position within the counts, but not nearly enough to challenge the wide lead of Claus. 

Here's how the counts stack as much as begin tomorrow's final table, where Argentina may be sending six players and Brazil the opposite two:

Pedro Claus (Argentina) -- 2,230,000Fernando Araujo (Brazil) -- 1,490,000Manuel Vuotto (Argentina) -- 1,416,000Nicolas Pernigotti (Argentina) -- 1,043,000Ruben Barros (Argentina) -- 866,000Sergio De Benedictis (Argentina) -- 772,000Marco Oliveira (Brazil) -- 562,000Cristian Andres Rotondo (Argentina) -- 294,000

Argentina already holds the record with nine LAPT titles, greater than any country. Get back tomorrow starting at 12 noon local time (one hour in front of ET) and we'll discover together if the rustic wins a tenth -- or if Brazil picks up their seventh Main Event trophy.

Until then, buenas noches! --MH

LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event Day 3 Updates

8:07pm: Fernando Vitola eliminated in 9th place ($10,400)Level 25: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 4,000

A few hands after Ruben Barros doubled, short stack Fernando Vitola tried to do the similar. He did not have the similar success though, as he shoved 306,000 from middle position and located a caller in Fernando Araujo.

The Brazilian was within the small blind and after the massive blind got out of the way, Vitola saw he was drawing to only three immediate outs. The Argentine held A♦T♠ to A♥Q♠ and after the Q♦8♣7♣ flop, needed running cards to stick alive.

Fernando Vitola-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7904.jpg

Fernando Vitola - 9th place

The 8♦ confirmed his fate at the turn, as he was officially drawing dead and because the 4♥ fell at the river, the remainder of the general table celebrated making it official. Vitola got congratulations from all the lineup after which headed to the payout desk, while Araujo, with some cheers from the Brazilian contingent at the rail, stacked up slightly below 1,500,000.

That seems like it will likely be good for second best getting into tomorrow's final day, with a whole list of counts coming shortly. -- WOC

7:59pm: Barros bumps up through De BenedictisLevel 25: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 4,000

On the third hand after the redraw, Ruben Barros open-raised to 80,000 from middle position, leaving himself about 260,000 behind, and it folded around to Manuel Vuotto within the big blind.

Vuotto checked his cards and started to check Barros, and he responded by commencing his Miami Heat baseball cap and glasses, grinning widely as he did. Eventually Vuotto decided it best to fold, showing an A♦ as he did.

On the very next hand, Barros open-raised again -- this time for 100,000 -- and it folded to Sergio De Benedictis within the cutoff who announced he was reraising all-in. The action quickly folded back to Barros who called right away, tabling A♥K♦ while De Benedictis showed A♠Q♣.

The board ran out 5♥A♦5♠4♦9♦, and now Barros is as much as 895,000. Meanwhile De Benedictis slips to 775,000. --MH

Ruben Barros-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7942.jpg

Barros now not the quick stack

7:50pm: Unofficial final table, yet one more elimination ends Day 3Level 25: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 4,000

We're now right down to our unofficial LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event final table and save for Sergio De Benedictis, the counts remain just like once we came back from the dinner break. De Benedictis is now playing 1,000,000 but there are a still a couple of short stacks hoping to make the overall eight, including Fernando Vitola and Cristian Andres Rotondo.

They are each near ten big blinds and can be those to look at over the following couple of orbits. Another elimination will end Day 3, with the PokerStars Blog bringing you all of the action in the course of the remainder of the night. The general table seating assignments are listed below. -- WOC

Final Table

Seat 1: Manuel VuottoSeat 2: Nicolas PernigottiSeat 3: Ruben BarrosSeat 4: Pedro ClausSeat 5: Fernando AraujoSeat 6: Cristian Andres RotondoSeat 7: Marco OliveiraSeat 8: Sergio De BenedictisSeat 9: Fernando Vitola

7:42pm: Federico Roberto eliminated in 10th place ($8,640)Level 25: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 4,000

Fernando Vitola got two shoves through on Table 2 inside the first five minutes of Level 25 but if Federico Roberto moved all-in on the adjacent table, he was looked up. Manuel Vuotto opened to 67,000 from the hijack and Sergio De Benedictis called within the cutoff before Roberto three-bet shoved the button.

He had just below 320,000 and after the blinds, and Vuotto, folded, De Benedictis snap called to place the fast stack in peril. It was a flip, with Roberto holding A♥J♥ to De Benedictis' 7♥7♦.

After the Q♦Q♣7♠ flop, that flip was roughly over and the fast stack was drawing dead after the 6♥ fell at the turn. The 5♠ meaninglessly completed the board and Roberto hit the rail in 10th place. He'll fail to notice the unofficial final table but De Benedictis might be taking nearly 1,000,000 into that nine-handed redraw.

Federico Roberto-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7978.jpg

Federico Roberto - 10th place

A complete list of the brand new seating assignments could be posted when play resumes. -- WOC

7:35pm: Play resumes; 10 remainLevel 25: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 4,000

We're back! They're back. Poker is occurring. Just two more eliminations and we'll know who has made the following LAPT Main Event final table. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
25 15,000 30,000 4,000

6:20pm: Ten remain on dinner, Claus sits atop counts

The remaining ten players decided to take their scheduled dinner break after Level 24. They'll return in 75 minutes to first combine to an unofficial nine-handed final table, with one player separating that group from the "mesa final".

Pedro Claus-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7888.jpg

Pedro Claus is top of the charts into dinner

As it stands, there's a pretty wide gap between the highest and bottom halves of the leaderboard, with four players sitting with over seven-figures and the remainder below the chip average. Pedro Claus leads with nearly 2,000,000, with Manuel Vuotto sitting second with 1,500,000.

While those two are pacing the field, there'll be a couple of players coming back at or simply over the 10 big blind mark when play resumes. Fernando Vitola would be the shortest, with exactly ten bigs, meaning all eyes can be at the Argentine when Level 25 begins.

The PokerStars Blog may be here to bring you all of the action at the other side of dinner, with play set to renew just after 7:30 PM local time. A WHOLE list of the remainder counts is equipped below.

Table 1Seat 1: Sergio De Benedictis - 645,000Seat 2: Federico Roberto - 367,000Seat 3: Marco Oliveira - 657,000Seat 4: Nicolas Pernigotti - 1,007,000Seat 5: Manuel Vuotto - 1,561,000

Table 2Seat 1: Fernando Araujo - 1,211,000Seat 2: Pedro Claus - 1,985,000Seat 3: Ruben Barros - 494,000Seat 4: Cristian Andres Rotondo - 417,000Seat 5: Fernando Vitola - 305,000

6:18pm: Julio Alberto Grimau eliminated in 11th place ($7,480)Level 24: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 3,000

Fernando Oliveira raised to 50,000 from the cutoff and it folded around to Julio Alberto Grimau who called from the large blind. The flop fell 6♥Q♥9♣, and Grimau chose to push all-in, earning a choice from Oliveira.

Oliveira had K♦Q♣ while Grimau tabled A♦J♥. The turn was the Q♦, which actually meant that Grimau was drawing dead. However, that did not stop him from watching intently because the dealer burned a card and produced fifth street -- the 5♥.

That's when Grimau did something that surprised everyone -- he cried out in celebration! He walked several steps clear of the table, continuing to shout, when the table called him back in a pleading chorus. Clearly he'd thought somehow he'd won the hand, and so they needed to set him straight.

He came back to the table, and because the dealer was mentioning how Arauja had won Grimau pushed his cards forward, then realized to his dismay -- they weren't two hearts, but a heart and a diamond! He'd thought he pushed all-in on a flush draw and had gotten there on fifth street, but alas for him he'd misread his hand.

Grimau is out in 11th, and Arauja is the beneficiary of his tournament-ending misstep, as he's now stacking about 1.05 million. --MH

Julio Grimau-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7970.jpg

Julio Alberto Grimau - 11th place

 

6:12pm: Fabian De La Fuente eliminated in 12th place ($7,480)Level 24: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 3,000

Prior to the 2 table redraw, Fabian De La Fuente was at or near the highest of the leaderboard for the past two days. A COUPLE OF speed bumps had dropped him down but De La Fuente showed he could work a brief stack as well.

Eventually, he set out to the 10 big blind mark and when the table folded to him at the button, he shoved for 248,000. The small blind folded and Manuel Vuotto was there within the big to place FDLF at risk.

Vuotto held 5♠5♦ and had to hold against the K♦8♥ of the fast stack. He did, because the 9♠4♠2♣T♠J♦ board confirmed De La Fuente's 12th place elimination.

He'll earn slightly below $7,500 for his LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event run, while Vuotto has to have his mind at the final table. The Argentine is behind nearly 1,650,000 and battling for the chip lead with Pedro Claus. -- WOC

Fabian de la Fuente-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-8027.jpg

Fabian De La Fuente - 12th place

6:05pm: Vitola victorious way to runner-runner straightLevel 24: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 3,000

Almost immediately after Amos Ben was dispatched from Table 2, Fernando Vitola got his short stack in with pocket jacks. Vitola shoved for 148,000 from the button, after Ruben Barros opened to 56,000 from under the gun.

Barros snap called after the blinds folded and his Q♣Q♥ was in great shape against the quick stack's J♣J♥. Vitola was roughly dead after the K♠Q♠5♥ flop however the A♣ at the turn gave him a small chance at survival.

Sometimes, all you wish to have is a small chance and Vitola took his, because the T♣ completed the board to save lots of his tournament life. Barros had stepped clear of the table when the hands were tabled and after another player alerted him that he'd hit a set, he returned, only to peer the destruction at the river.

He could only shake his head and Vitola was doing the same, except without the negative body language. He doubled to simply over 325,000 and while he's still probably the most shortest stacks, he's still alive. -- WOC

5:54pm: Amos Ben eliminated in 13th place ($7,480)Level 24: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 3,000

The frequently active Fernando Araujo opened for 50,000 from middle position, and it folded to Amos Ben within the blinds who reraise-shoved together with his last 290,000. Araujo thought for roughly a half-minute, then made the call, showing A♠J♠ versus Ben's 7♣7♠.

The flop rolled out A♥J♥8♦, putting Araujo in front, and after the Q♠ turn and T♦ river Ben stood and shook hands with Araujo before departing in 13th.

Amos Ben-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7913.jpg

Amos Ben - 13th place

Araujo's up-and-down day continues, and now he has 640,000. --MH

5:52pm: Half-hour to dinner, maybeLevel 24: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 3,000

We're midway through Level 24 and a 75-minute dinner break is scheduled once this era concludes. As of now, that is the plan but when this remaining field agrees to forgo the dinner break, we'll continue playing.

Don't worry, we'll keep you posted it doesn't matter what happens, as we're only some spots from the LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event final table. -- WOC

5:45pm: Pernigotti continues to punish De BenedictisLevel 24: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 3,000

Shortly after the 2 table redraw, Nicolas Pernigotti made a tricky river call against Sergio De Benedicitis with fourth-pair and some moments ago, he just picked up another pot in a battle of the Argentines.

This time, Manuel Vuotto opened the action with a limp from under the gun and De Benedictis limped because the next player to behave. It folded to Pernigotti, who was within the big blind, and he raised to 124,000.

Vuotto let his hand go but De Benedictis hung around to peer the K♠K♦5♥ flop. Both players checked they usually did the similar after the Q♣ fell at the turn. The 4♣ completed the board and Pernigotti slid 121,000 into the middle, along with his opponent snap calling.

De Benedictis might need thought he caught Pernigotti looking to push him around but he wasn't, as Pernigotti tabled A♣A♥. De Benedictis cursed under his breath after which shipped a tight part of his stack around the table. He's now right down to 320,000, while Pernigotti is peaking with 1,160,000. -- WOC

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
24 12,000 24,000 3,000

5:30pm: Claus claims more from AraujoLevel 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000

In the last hand of the level, Fernando Araujo opened for 40,000 from the cutoff, then leader Pedro Daniel Claus three-bet to 102,000 from the button. The blinds got out, Araujo called, and the flop came J♦6♣3♥.

Araujo checked, Claus bet 125,000, and Araujo called. Both then checked both the 6♠ turn and 4♠ river.

Araujo showed A♥Q♦, but Claus had it beat with K♦J♠ to take the pot.

Araujo is down around 505,000 at present, while Claus has climbed way up over 2.3 million to construct a considerable lead with 13 left. --MH

5:22pm: Mario Lopez eliminated in 14th place ($6,580)Level 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000 Fabian De La Fuente opened with an all-in shove from late position and it folded to Mario Lopez within the big blind. All the way down to not up to 200,000 -- though slightly greater than what De La Fuente had -- Lopez thought a short time after which called, tabling A♥7♥.

Alas for Lopez, De La Fuente had A♣9♥, and after the board came 3♠T♣J♦8♣Q♣ to offer De La Fuente a straight and the pot, Lopez was right down to just 37,000.

From that 3,000 went in because the ante and 10,000 because the small blind at the next hand for Lopez, and when De La Fuente made another raise he called the opposite 24,000 and was all-in and at risk.

Lopez had T♥9♥ and a fighting chance against De La Fuente's K♥J♦, however the board came A♦7♥6♠5♦3♦ and Lopez's quest for back-to-back LAPT Uruguay Main Event titles -- and a record third LAPT win -- ended with a 14th-place finish.

Mario Lopez-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7882.jpg

Mario Lopez - 14th place

De La Fuente now has about 440,000. --MH

5:18pm: Another battle of the large stacksLevel 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000

A few moments after the encounter between Mario Lopez and Manuel Vuotto, another massive hand played out at the other table. The pre flop action between Pedro Claus and Ruben Barros was missed but on a board of K♠Q♦T♠, Claus bet 88,000.

Barros then raised to 220,000 and after taking a listing of his own stack, Claus verbalized "all-in". Barros sat still and after on the subject of five minutes of thought, Claus called the clock to depart Barros just 60 seconds to return to a decision.

He had 610,000 behind and was well covered, meaning he was playing for his tournament life if he were to name. Eventually, he folded and Claus showed him T♣T♥ and judging by the controversy after the hand, Barros appeared to admit to folding pocket queens.

We'll never know but in step with our translator, Barros was not pleased with his fold. Nevertheless, he's still working as regards to a standard stack, while Pedro Claus is now contending with Manuel Vuotto for the chip lead with nearly 1,400,000. -- WOC

5:10pm: Vuotto levels Lopez, leaves former leader shortLevel 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000

The biggest pot of the tournament just played out on Table 1, with the encounter leaving Mario Lopez with under ten big blinds. Action was picked up with Manuel Vuotto opening to 45,000 from middle position and Lopez three-bet the hijack to 98,000.

The remainder of the table folded and Vuotto called, to look the A♠9♣6♠ flop. He thought for a minute before sliding out 107,000, a raffle Lopez quickly gave the look to be fascinated with. He asked for a count after which cut out chips of his own, although they were sized for a raise.

He put 248,000 in front of him and almost immediately, Vuotto announced "all-in". Lopez snap called and tabled A♥Q♥ but he was drawing thin against his opponent's 6♥6♦. With the easier a part of 1,300,000 within the pot, Vuotto's flopped set was an immense favorite and after the K♥ fell at the turn, the pot was his.

Lopez already started scaling down his stack because the 3♦ meaninglessly completed the board and when their chips were totaled, Lopez had Vuotto slightly covered. The effective stack of Vuotto weighed in at 640,000, meaning he doubled to near to 1,450,000 and Lopez was left with just over 170,000. -- WOC

4:59pm: Grimau gets a far needed doubleLevel 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000

Julio Grimau was one of the vital shorter stacks after the redraw and that meant he needed a double and needed it badly. With just over a quarter-hour remaining in Level 23, he had a possibility at a double, getting 290,000 in with 9♠9♦.

He was looked up by Pedro Claus, who's the massive stack at Table 2, with A♦K♠. The board ran out T♣8♣6♠2♥3♣ and Grimau got the double to transport himself back up near the 600,000 chip mark. -- WOC

4:53pm: Matias Ruzzi eliminated in 15th place ($5,880)Level 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000

Down to lower than 100,000, Matias Ruzzi got his chips in behind Q♥8♥ and was racing versus Ruben Barros's 4♦4♥.

The race was over by the turn, though, because the community cards came 9♦6♣9♣4♣6♥. Ruzzi is down in 15th while Barros jumps as much as 890.000. --MH

Matias Ruzzi-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7858.jpg

Matias Ruzzi - 15th place

4:45pm: Araujo doubles through RuzziLevel 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000

Just upon getting his kings cracked versus Pedro Daniel Claus, Fernando Araujo found himself all-in and in peril with A♥T♦ versus Matias Ruzzi who had A♦7♦.

The board came a snug A♣T♠3♦J♥2♥ for Araujo, and he's back to about 670,000 while Ruzzi slips to 95,000. --MH

4:40pm: More for leader ClausLevel 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000 Fernando Araujo opened from middle position and got two callers -- Pedro Daniel Claus to his left, and Fernando Vitola from the massive blind.

The flop came 4♦Q♣K♣, and it checked to Claus who bet 84,000. Vitola folded but Araujo called. Both then checked the 8♠ turn, and after the 5♣ river Araujo checked again. Claus gathered together of venture of 140,000, and Araujo called right away.

Claus showed he'd rivered a flush with A♣T♣ while Araujo showed his now second-best flopped set of kings, made with K♥K♠.

Claus remains to be stacking, even though it seems like he's up around 1.4 million now. Meanwhile Araujo has 325,000 and Vitola 190,000. --MH

4:34pm: Gabriel Muzzio eliminated in 16th place ($5,880)Level 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000

Marco Oliveira open-pushed for around 200,000 from the button, then Gabriel Muzzio called all-in for his last 145,000 or so from the small blind. After some thought Fabian De La Fuente folded from the massive blind, and the 2 others showed their cards:

Oliveira: A♣2♦Muzzio: A♦Q♦

The flop came J♦5♥4♠ and the turn the 8♣, and Muzzio appeared about to double. However the river brought the 3♠ -- and a swift rap of the knuckles at the table from Oliveira on the sight of the straight-filling card. 

Muzzio is out in 16th, while Oliveira has 525,000 now. --MH

Gabriel Muzzio-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7906.jpg

Gabriel Muzzio - 16th place

4:30pm: Final two tablesLevel 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000

The players have redrawn for his or her new seats and save for Sergio De Benedictis and Manuel Vuotto, who just scored knockouts, the counts are kind of where we left them after the last break.

Table 1Seat 1: Sergio De BenedictisSeat 2: Federico RobertoSeat 3: Marco OliveiraSeat 4: Gabriel MuzzioSeat 5: Fabian De La FuenteSeat 6: Nicolas PernigottiSeat 7: Manuel VuottoSeat 8: Mario Lopez

Table 2Seat 1: Fernando AraujoSeat 2: Pedro ClausSeat 3: Ruben BarrosSeat 4: Julio GrimauSeat 5: Amos BenSeat 6: Cristian Andres RotondoSeat 7: Fernando VitolaSeat 8: Matias Ruzzi

4:22pm: Rodriguez falls before redrawLevel 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000

Immediately after Hugo Spanenberg went out in 18th place, another short stack fell to bring forth the 2 table redraw. Federico Rodriguez moved all-in from late position for 175,000 and Sergio De Benedicitis called within the blinds.

Rodriguez held K♥T♣ but he was up against the massive stack's A♠A♦, meaning he was in trouble. Rodriguez picked up some additional outs after the J♦T♦5♠ flop but once the 3♠ and 4♥ completed the board, he was eliminated in 17th place.

He'll miss the redraw and after stacking up just over 950,000, De Benedictis racked his massive stack and waited for his new seating assignment. AN ENTIRE list of the brand new lineups can be posted shortly.

4:17pm: Spangenberg sunk in 18thLevel 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000

Hugo Spangenberg was just all-in for his last 240,000 or so from middle position with K♦9♣ and was up against Manuel Vuotto's K♠T♠ within the big blind.

That was a foul enough spot for Spangenberg, however the A♠8♠5♠ flop made it even worse, giving Vuotto a flush. The turn and river were no matter, and Spangenberg is out in 18th.

Vuotto is back up right around 1 million now, on the subject of Pedro Daniel Claus for the chip lead (who's sitting close, too, simply to Vuotto's left). --MH

Hugo Spangerber-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7843.jpg

Spades spell end for Spangenberg

4:12pm: Play resumes; Pedro Daniel Claus leading final 18Level 23: Blinds 10,000/20,000, Ante 3,000

Players are back and cards are within the air, with Pedro Daniel Claus now the brand new chip leader. He's sitting just over a million, with Manuel Vuotto -- who'd been the primary to one million earlier -- sitting to his right in second place with over 800,000.

Here's a glance on the stacks on the moment:

                   Name Country Chips
PEDRO DANIEL CLAUS ARGENTINA 1,050,000
MANUEL VUOTTO ARGENTINA 810,000
MARIO LOPEZ ARGENTINA 760,000
RUBEN BARROS ARGENTINA 720,000
AMOS BEN CHILE 610,000
FERNANDO ARAÚJO BRAZIL 570,000
SERGIO DE BENEDICTIS ARGENTINA 570,000
JULIO ALBERTO GRIMAU ARGENTINA 310,000
MATIAS RUZZI ARGENTINA 370,000
CRISTIAN ANDRES ROTONDO ARGENTINA 335,000
FEDERICO ROBERTO ARGENTINA 330,000
GABRIEL MUZZIO ARGENTINA 320,000
NICOLAS PERNIGOTTI ARGENTINA 305,000
FABIAN DE LA FUENTE ARGENTINA 265,000
FERNANDO VITOLA ARGENTINA 250,000
HUGO SPANGENBERG ARGENTINA 240,000
MARCO OLIVEIRA BRAZIL 190,000
FEDERICO RODRIGUEZ ARGENTINA 185,000

Two more busts and they're going to redraw to 2 tables. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
22 8,000 16,000 2,000

3:59pm: Take a break

They're right down to 18, and people who are left at the moment are taking another 15-minute break. --MH

Ready to embark by yourself poker adventure? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.

3:56pm: River saves RodriguezLevel 22: Blinds 8,000/16,000, Ante 2,000

Federico Rodriguez was grinding a brief stack for everything of just today 3 session and while he's still well below the chip average, he now has extra space to work. Rodriguez rivered a double against Hugo Spangenberg, after the previous shoved for just over 100,000 from middle position.

Spangenberg called within the big blind with T♥T♦ and he had to fade three immediate outs, because the short stack had K♦8♦. The board ran out 7♣7♦3♠7♠K♥, with the overall card keeping Rodriguez alive.

It was a tight blow to Spangenberg, who's now under a quarter-million, with Rodriguez right behind with with reference to 230,000. -- WOC

3:47pm: Battle continues; Lopez cripples Justo, who then busts in 19thLevel 22: Blinds 8,000/16,000, Ante 2,000

Mario Lopez and Diego Justo has been going at it ever because the draw and while Justo might need won the last battle, reported below, Lopez just won the war. Early action was missed but with the board reading 9♥8♦5♥4♠4♦, Justo checked from the small blind.

He had just over 220,000 in front of him, with Lopez sitting right below that mark within the big blind. After a minute of thought, the two-time LAPT champion announced "all-in" and Justo went into the tank. Two minutes later, he called, only to be shown 9♣4♥ for a rivered full house.

As Justo's stack was getting cut down, he flashed K♥8♥ and he threw his hand into the muck after the dealer gave him his rebate. He had Lopez barely covered, 5,000 more to be exact, and people chips went in at the next hand. Justo was eliminated in 19th place, while Lopez is now back near the highest with just about 800,000. -- WOC

Diego Justo-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7893.jpg

Justo busto

3:37pm: Justo jumps up, Lopez loses a fewLevel 22: Blinds 8,000/16,000, Ante 2,000

Just now Mario Lopez was the only taking the initiative in a hand versus Diego Justo because the board came 6♣Q♠8♦7♠. After Justo checked the turn Lopez bet, and Diego called again. 

The river came the 5♦ and this time Justo was the only firing, and with an exasperated look Lopez called. Justo tabled 6-4 for a rivered straight, and Lopez turned his pocket tens over in his hands for a moment before sending them to the dealer.

Lopez is at 370,000 now, while Justo jumps to 330,000. --MH 

3:28pm: Ruiz busts in 20thLevel 22: Blinds 8,000/16,000, Ante 2,000

Shortly after losing that gigantic pot to Manuel Vuotto, Sergio De Benedictis was all-in along with his short stack against Sebastian Ruiz.

Ruiz had raised all-in from the button with A♣6♣ and De Benedictis awoke with Q♦Q♣ within the big blind. The board ran out 9♠J♠5♠7♦6♦, and De Benedictis was back to 250,000 while Ruiz had slipped to simply a bit greater than that.

A couple of hands later De Benedictis had Ruiz covered when the latter was all-in with K♦Q♦ versus the J♣J♠ of De Benedictis, and following a board of T♣7♠7♥J♦5♣ De Benedictis had a whole house and Ruiz was at the rail in 20th place.

De Benedictis has bounced all the as far back as over half one million now. --MH

Sebastian Ruiz-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7981.jpg

Ruiz run out in 20th

3:18pm: Vuotto vaults in frontLevel 22: Blinds 8,000/16,000, Ante 2,000

Sergio De Benedictis opened from the button, then Manuel Vuotto reraised to 81,000 from the small blind and when the action got back to De Benedictis he called.

The flop came T♣Q♦3♥, and Vuotto led for 103,000. De Benedictis called. The turn then brought the 8♣ and a check from Vuotto, and when De Benedictis went all-in, Vuotto called.

De Benedictis showed K♦Q♥, but Vuotto had A♥A♣, and after the 3♦ river Vuotto had earned an enormous double-up. He's the brand new leader, up around 1.12 million now, while De Benedictis plunges to 105,000. --MH

3:15pm: Pernigotti picks up a doubleLevel 22: Blinds 8,000/16,000, Ante 2,000

After getting rivered by Amos Ben, Nicolas Pernigotti was left with under ten big blinds and some hands later, that short stack got in against Mario Lopez. Pernigotti open shoved for with reference to 130,000 and Lopez called within the big blind.

It was a flip for the fast stack's life with T♣T♦ against Lopez's Q♣J♠. The board ran out A♠A♣4♦9♠9♣ and Pernigotti's pair held to transport him back as much as a workable 270,000 chip stack. Mario Lopez continues to be sitting comfortably with well over 600,000. -- WOC

3:06pm: Amos Ben leaves Pernigotti ponderingLevel 22: Blinds 8,000/16,000, Ante 2,000

While Pedro Claus was dispatching Sergio Luis Di Pego with a flush, a large pot developed on Table 1. Amos Ben opened to 35,000 from the cutoff and Nicolas Pernigotti three-bet the button to 80,000.

The blinds folded and Ben called, to look the T♥8♣6♠ flop. Ben then shoved, for 163,000 and that sent Pernigotti deep into the tank. He only had as regards to 220,000 behind, so he was put to a call for almost all of his chips.

Eventually, he did call and he was fit to attain the knockout, with Q♣T♠ to Ben's 7♥7♠. The 5♠ gave the previous LAPT Player of the Year some additional outs, which came in when the 9♠ completed the board.

While Ben collected the double way to a rivered straight, Pernigotti was left pondering what might have been. He was right down to 140,000, while Ben is now up and over the chip average with 520,000. -- WOC

3:02pm: Claus flushes Di Pego's pairLevel 22: Blinds 8,000/16,000, Ante 2,000

Table 3 have been home to a couple of the more aggressive play that we have seen because the redraw and that dynamic just boiled over in a hand between Pedro Claus and Sergio Luis Di Pego. Action was picked up with Claus opening to 38,000 from under the gun and Di Pego three-betting to 90,000 because the next player to act.

The remainder of the table folded and after evaluating the situation, Claus announced himself "all-in". Di Pego asked for a count but he was well covered, with a virtually 200,000 chip effective stack. Eventually, he called, tabling A♦K♣.

Claus held 8♠7♠ and after the A♥9♠5♥ flop, it seemed like Di Pego was in a great place to double. It's never easy though and the 3♠ at the turn added a significant sweat, one who eliminated Di Pego in 21st after the 2♠ spiked at the river.

Sergio di Pego-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7880.jpg

Flush punches Di Pego out

Claus had hit his flush and after letting our a roar of a celebration, he was stacking up the simpler a part of 640,000. At the other end of the spectrum, Di Pego paced across the tournament area for an excellent five minutes, explaining his bad beat to a couple other players before heading to the payout desk to receive his 21st place ticket. -- WOC

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
22 8,000 16,000 2,000

2:54pm: Araujo's aces dispatch ViolaLevel 21: Blinds 6,000/12,000, Ante 2,000

Fernando Araujo was very aggressive up to now today and that aggression just paid off in a large way. The Brazilian picked up pocket aces and got Andres Viola to commit all his chips pre flop with jacks.

Action was picked up with Araujo opening to 26,000 from under the gun and after some folds, Viola three-bet to 69,000 from the small blind. Araujo eyed his opponent's stack after which announced "all-in", with Viola instantly calling for just about 130,000 more.

Viola was in big trouble with J♦J♣, as Araujo tabled A♣A♥. The board ran out 9♥3♣2♣5♣Q♣, with Viola's flush being no good as Araujo held the ace of clubs. The Argentine was eliminated in 22nd place, as Araujo moved back up near the highest of the charts with 690,000. -- WOC

2:45pm: Ruiz runs into Benedictis' shoveLevel 21: Blinds 6,000/12,000, Ante 2,000

With big stacks at every table, we're certain to see some deep stacked, tactical play as we continue to work all the way down to a last table. Sebastian Ruiz has tried to bully his table with some pre flop raises but Sergio Benedictis wasn't having any of it in a contemporary hand.

Ruiz opened with a raise to 26,000 from the cutoff and after a fold, Benedictis three-bet to 75,000. Ruiz got a count after which cut out a four-bet, sized at 126,000.

Immediately, Benedictis five-bet shoved and the Chilean quickly folded, conceding the pot while dropping with regards to 1 / 4 of his stack within the process. He's comfortably sitting with 310,000 but Benedictis is definitely over double that mark, with slightly below 700,000 in front of him. -- WOC

2:32pm: Roberto flops straight, gets a boostLevel 21: Blinds 6,000/12,000, Ante 2,000

A big three-way hand just played out between Federico Roberto, Manuel Vuotto, and Pedro Daniel Claus.

With the board showing 9♠7♠J♣, Roberto checked from the massive blind and Vuotto in middle position bet 47,000. Claus called the bet from the cutoff, but if it rolled back to Roberto he pushed all-in for 199,000. Vuotto thought of it but folded, then Claus got a count and made the call.

Claus had J♥T♠ for prime pair and a gutshot, but Roberto already had the straight with T♦8♦. The A♥ turn and A♣ river didn't change anything, and Roberto earned a large accelerate to 540,000. Meanwhile Vuotto still has 570,000 while Claus slips to 275,000. --MH

2:23pm: Pernigotti busts Bornhausen; 22 leftLevel 21: Blinds 6,000/12,000, Ante 2,000

Eduardo Bornhausen open-raised all-in along with his last 112,000 from the cutoff and got a caller in Nicolas Pernigotti playing from the massive blind.

Bornhausen had 7♥6♥ and hopes of improving against Pernigotti's A♠T♣, however the 3♠T♦2♣9♠J♠ board didn't cooperate and he's out in 23rd place.

Pernigotti has right at 500,000 now. --MH

Eduardo Bornhausen-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7835.jpg

Bornhausen is out

2:20pm: Barres busts Albero right after redrawLevel 21: Blinds 6,000/12,000, Ante 2,000

Almost immediately after the 3 table redraw, Julian Albero was hitting the rail in 24th place. The Argentine got all-in with T♥T♦ and was in big trouble against Ruben Barres' K♣K♦.

Albero's effective stack of 210,000 was heading around the table after the 7♦5♠4♣9♥J♠ runout. The chips got in pre flop but we imagine it was an unavoidable spot, as both players had overpairs to the board until the turn.

While Albero headed to the payout cage, Barres is now over 530,000, good for one of the most top stacks on Table 1. -- WOC

2:14pm: Seating assignments for final three tablesLevel 21: Blinds 6,000/12,000, Ante 2,000

Table 1Seat 1: Julian AlberoSeat 2: Cristian Andres RotondoSeat 3: Marco OliveiraSeat 4: Ruben BarresSeat 5: Matias RuzziSeat 6: Andres ViolaSeat 7: Julio Alberto GrimauSeat 8: Fernando Oliveira

Table 2Seat 1: Eduardo BournhausenSeat 2: Fernando VitolaSeat 3: Amos BenSeat 4: Nicolas PernigottiSeat 5: Gabriel MuzzioSeat 6: Diego JustoSeat 7: Hugo SpangenbergSeat 8: Mario Lopez

Table 3Seat 1: Sergio Luis Di PegoSeat 2: Fabian De La FuenteSeat 3: Federico RobertoSeat 4: Sebastian RuizSeat 5: Federico RodriguezSeat 6: Sergio De BenedictisSeat 7: Manuel VuottoSeat 8: Pedro Daniel Claus

There are 45 minutes left in Level 21. --MH

2:08pm: Redraw!Level 21: Blinds 6,000/12,000, Ante 2,000

After a brief break to rack chips and find their new seats, the remainder 24 players are able to resume action in Level 21. This LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event field will see another redraw when 16 players remain after which another when we're right down to the eight-handed final table. --WOC

1:59pm: Parra's pair no good, right down to three tablesLevel 21: Blinds 6,000/12,000, Ante 2,000

A couple of minutes after the restart, Juan Parra moved all-in from under the gun for 122,000. Amos Ben folded and Hugo Spangenberg re-shoved from middle position, which forced folds from the remainder of the table.

Spangenberg had Parra well covered and it was a flip for the fast stack's life, with the LAPT old guard holding 7♣7♦ to Spangenberg's A♣K♦. That flip was roughly over at the flop, because the A♦J♣6♥ board shot the Argentine into the lead.

He'd hold throughout the Q♥ turn and the 8♦ river, sending Parra and his pair out in 25th place. The Chilean will miss the 3 table redraw, with a purpose to be posted shortly, together with an update of the remainder player's chip counts. -- WOC

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
21 6,000 12,000 2,000

1:36pm: Break time

With 25 players left, they're off at the first 15-minute break of the day. --MH

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1:31pm: Doubles a-plentyLevel 20: Blinds 5,000/10,000, Ante 1,000

There was several double-ups of short stacks as Level 20 nears its close, kicked off by Federico Rodriguez getting one through Amos Ben.

After Rodriguez shoved for 95,000 from the cutoff with A♠K♦, Ben called from the small blind with K♠Q♠. The board came 2♦A♥Q♥9♥T♠, and Rodriguez bumped up with regards to 200,000 while Ben slipped to 145,000.

After that Diego Justo earned a double at the neighboring table, moving as much as 275,000, while Federico Roberto did the similar at the feature table, moving his stack as much as 315,000. --MH

1:26pm: Jose busted by OliveiraLevel 20: Blinds 5,000/10,000, Ante 1,000

Gonzalo Jose opened for 21,000 from early position and it folded around to Marco Oliveira within the big blind who called.

The flop came A♦5♥Q♠ and Oliveira checked, and when Jose said he was all-in for his last 95,000 or so, Oliveira called right away.

Jose showed K♠8♠ and was well behind Oliveira's A♠9♣. The board completed K♥ then 6♦, and Jose is out in 26th. Oliveira moves up around 300,000. --MH

1:29pm: Vuotto faults near top after dispatching BrouchoudLevel 20: Blinds 5,000/10,000, Ante 1,000

Manuel Vuotto and Luciano Brouchoud has been building a dynamic during the last few orbits and that dynamic just boiled over to send the latter to the rail in 27th place. Action was picked up with the board reading K♦Q♥T♥3♦ and after Vuotto led from the blinds, Brouchoud moved all-in.

Vuotto snapped for the fast stack's effective count of 130,000 and tabled K♠3♠, for 2 pair. Only a jack could save Brouchoud, as he held A♠6♥, meaning the A♥ at the river was too little, too late.

When the dust settled, Brouchoud headed to the payout cage and Vuotto began stacking up on the subject of 600,000. After starting Day 3 with just 85,000, Vuotto has easily been the most important gainer today and he's now going to be contending for the chip lead as we approach the 3 table redraw. -- WOC

Manuel Vuotto-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7949.jpg

Vamooo Vuotto

1:20pm: Fernando Oliveira flipped to the railLevel 20: Blinds 5,000/10,000, Ante 1,000

It's been an up and down day for the Brazilians, including Fernando Arauja. He's still a great deal alive, but another Brazillian play has fallen, as Fernando Oliveira just lost a flip for his tournament life against Pedro Claus.

Action was picked up pre flop, with Oliveira opening to 22,000 from late position. Claus responded with a three-bet to 75,000 and Oliveira four-bet shoved for with regards to 180,000.

Claus snap called, tabling 8♥8♦ and he needed to hold against his opponent's A♥J♦. He did, because the board ran out 5♦3♠2♣T♠K♥, to send Oliveira packing in 28th place. Claus is now behind on the subject of 450,000. -- WOC

1:12pm: Ruiz folds aces, Pernigotti collectsLevel 20: Blinds 5,000/10,000, Ante 1,000

After preflop action had built a pot of about 90,000 between Sebastian Ruiz (cutoff) and Nicolas Pernigotti (big blind), the flop came 5♥A♥T♦ and Pernigotti check-called a big gamble of 36,000 from Ruiz. The turn was the Q♣ and the action went similarly, with a check by Pernigotti, then a decision of another bet from Ruiz. 

That left Pernigotti with about 130,000, considerably lower than the dimensions of the pot. The river then brought the J♠ and without an excessive amount of hesitation Pernigotti said he was all-in.

Ruiz hated the sound of that, and after tanking for a while he folded his hand, flashing his cards -- A♠A♦ -- as he did.

Pernigotti jumps to about 355,000 now while Ruiz has 555,000. --MH

1:03pm: Another double on "mesa cuatro"Level 20: Blinds 5,000/10,000, Ante 1,000

The Table 4 action has continued towards the midway point of Level 20, as Manual Vuotto just scored another double. This time, it was against Luciano Brouchoud, who just got a double himself, only to have those chips for under two full orbits.

Action was picked up with Brouchoud opening to 21,000 from the cutoff and after some folds, Vuotto three-bet to 53,000 from the large blind. Brouchoud called and both players checked the K♣7♥4♥ flop.

The 8♦ fell at the turn and Vuotto bet 64,000, only to peer his opponent quickly push two full stack of blue 5,000 value chips around the line. The bet was for 200,000 and it was enough to place Vuotto all-in, as he had 174,000 in front of him.

He didn't waste any time calling, quickly tabling A♦K♦. Brouchoud also had top pair, with a flush draw, K♥Q♥, but an inferior kicker. The 9♣ at the river meant that Vuotto's kicker would play and he was doubling to 450,000.

Meanwhile, Brouchoud is now down below 15 big blinds, with 130,000. -- WOC

12:54pm: Araujo clipped by Vitola, both now near half-millionLevel 20: Blinds 5,000/10,000, Ante 1,000

Fernando Araujo was working a large chip lead after eliminating Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez but he's now backtrack with the remainder of the large stacks, after doubling Fernando Vitola. Action was picked up with Vitola opening in early position and Araujo three-betting from the button.

The blinds folded and in a flash, Vitola had announced himself "all-in", for 237,000, and Araujo installed the chips to name. He had the most efficient of it, with T♦T♠ but he needed to hold against the A♥Q♣ of Vitola.

The Brazilian big stack kept his lead within the flip during the K♣J♠4♦ flop and the 7♣ turn. He couldn't throughout the river though, because the Q♥ completed the board and kept Vitola alive. Had the river bricked out, Araujo would has been the primary player to crack seven-figures but instead, both players are teetering on 550,000. -- WOC

12:45pm: Table 4 action continues...Level 20: Blinds 5,000/10,000, Ante 1,000

A majority of our action within the first 45 minutes of Day 3 has played out on Table 4, with Hugo Spangenberg on the center of most of it. The Argentine came into today with just over 150,000 but after doubling through and eliminating Jacques Spangenberg, found himself near the highest of the leaderboard.

He's now back below the chip average though, as Luciano Brouchoud just doubled through Spangenberg, with the chips getting all-in at the A♣J♦9♠ flop. Spangenberg held A♦9♦ and Brouchoud was fine condition with J♥J♣.

The T♠ and 8♦ completed the board, with Brouchoud's effective stack weighing in at 153,000. He's now just over 320,000, with Spangenberg playing 260,000. -- WOC

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
20 5,000 10,000 1,000

12:38pm: Leo Fernandez out; Araujo takes lead; 28 leftLevel 19: Blinds 4,000/8,000, Ante 1,000

As the extent neared its end, Fernando Araujo opened for 18,000, then Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez jammed his last 160,000 within the middle and when it folded back around Araujo called quickly.

Fernandez had A♠Q♥, but exhaled frustratedly as he saw Araujo's Q♠Q♣. The board came 5♥7♥J♣K♦K♣, providing no help to Fernandez who falls in 29th.

Leo Fernandez-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7840.jpg

Fernandez felted

That pot moves Araujo up and into the chip lead now with about 830,000. --MH

Fernando Araujo-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7863.jpg

Fernando Araujo, out in front

12:35pm: Spangenberg bounces BlitLevel 19: Blinds 4,000/8,000, Ante 1,000

Jacques Blit opened for 18,000 from the hijack seat, then watched Hugo Spangenberg raise to 36,000 from the following seat over within the cutoff. The others got out, Blit called, and the flop came A♥T♣2♠.

Blit checked, then Spangenberg hesitated only a beat before saying he was all-in. Blit didn't seem too happy about it, but nonetheless said he was calling, committing his last 120,000 or so. 

Blit had top pair with A♠3♠, but Spangenberg had that beaten with A♦Q♥. The board completed 4♥ then Q♠, giving Spangenberg two pair and ending Blit's run in 30th. Spangenberg has 460,000 now. --MH

Jacques Blit-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7765.jpg

Jacques Blit, just bounced

12:34pm: Blit involved again, shipping another doubleLevel 19: Blinds 4,000/8,000, Ante 1,000

Jacques Blit came into this present day 3 session with just over 325,000 but he's now playing half that quantity. The Argentine doubled Fernando Oliveira up a couple of minutes ago and he just sent another decent section of his stack to Hugo Spangenberg.

That action was picked up with Pedro Claus opening to 20,000 from late position and after a couple of folds, Blit three-bet to 43,000 from the small blind. Spangenberg was within the big and he then four-bet shoved, for 125,000.

Claus asked for a count of Blit's remaining stack, which was near 280,000 but after a couple of moments of thought, he released his hand. Blit didn't appear to be he could do the same, although he certainly wanted to, rolling his eyes as he flicked a chip into the center of the pot for a call.

Blit's Q♠9♠ was live against Spangenberg's A♠K♠ but after the J♥4♣3♥J♠A♥ runout, the fast stack was awarded the double. He's now playing just about 250,000, while Blit is down near 165,000. -- WOC

12:26pm: Ruzzi lets Leo live, Oliveira bests BlitLevel 19: Blinds 4,000/8,000, Ante 1,000

On adjacent tables, two meaningful hands played out with with regards to QUARTER-HOUR remaining in Level 19. The primary saw Matias Ruzzi open to 17,000 from middle position, before Leo Fernandez three-bet shoved for 123,000 from the button.

The Team PokerStars Pro was shoving for just about 15 big blinds but Ruzzi did not want to offer Fernandez anymore than he had to, flashing the A♦ before sending his hand to the muck. A COUPLE OF moments later, there has been another three-bet shove, this time on Table 4.

Jacques Blit opened to 18,000 from the hijack and after a fold, Fernando Oliveira shoved the button for 82,000. The blinds folded and Blit sigh-called, tabling K♠J♠. He was dominated, as Oliveira held K♣Q♠.

The board ran out T♦8♥4♠A♠2♦, with Oliveira fading the river after Blit turned a flush draw. The Brazilian is now playing over 20 big blinds, while Blit is down near 250,000. -- WOC

12:19pm: Hilario out in 31st; Ruiz near leadLevel 19: Blinds 4,000/8,000, Ante 1,000

There was another quick knockout to start out the day as Oscar Hilario has falled in 31st place after a hand with Sebastian Ruiz.

We arrived because the last community card was being dealt and the hands already tabled. The board read J♥2♥K♦4♥6♣ and Hilario had Q♥J♦, meaning he'd paired his jack at the flop. But Ruiz had K♠J♠ for a greater pair of kings, and Hilario is out.

Ruiz is up around 570,000 now, just about Mario Lopez for the chip lead. --MH

12:14pm: Vuotto makes trips, triples; Gallo outLevel 19: Blinds 4,000/8,000, Ante 1,000

There was early action to report with a three-way preflop all-in involving Hugo Spangenberg, Lisandro Gallo, and Manuel Vuotto. Spangenberg had the opposite two covered, with both Gallo and Vuotto in for his or her last 85,000.

Spangenberg: Q♠Q♣Vuotto: A♣5♣Gallo: A♠9♠

The 8♥5♥3♠ flop and J♠ turn kept Spangenberg in front, although did put a flush draw at the board for Gallo. Then came the river -- the 5♦! Vuotto made trips together with his five and tripled as much as around 240,000, while Spangenberg falls to around 120,000.

Meanwhile Gallo becomes the day's first elimination in 32nd place. --MH

12:05pm: Day 3 beginsLevel 19: Blinds 4,000/8,000, Ante 1,000

Players are of their seats and play is underway. There are 32 to start, but just eight will remain by the point the day is done. 

About a half-hour is left in Level 19. The common stack to start out today is 273,750. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
19 4,000 8,000 1,000

11:25am: Lopez leads final 32 to start Day 3

Yesterday as we kicked off Day 2 we were wondering if two-time LAPT Main Event champion Oscar Alache could be about to make a run at a record third title. The Chilean returned to the chip lead with 155 players left and lasted well into the evening, but ultimately hit the rail within the money in 52nd to fall shy in his quest.

The field further winnowed all the way down to just 32 before play concluded, with Carlos Zapata (51st), Olivio Santin (46th), Igianne Bertoldi (40th), Rafael Martinez (38th), and at last German Fernandez Schemini (33rd) all being sent from the tables to the cashier's desk. Left to proceed onward were at least 25 Argentinian players (!) a few of the final 32, with one in every of them leading the best way looking for his own LAPT trifecta.

Mario Lopez-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7346b.jpg

Lopez, leading again

Mario Lopez won his first LAPT Main Event title back in Chile during Season 7, then in Season 8 a year ago won this exact same event in Uruguay to assert a second title. He returned to a top five stack to begin yesterday, and when the bagging commenced at night's end Lopez was the only with the chip lead having built as much as 572,000.

Fernando Araujo and Fabian De La Fuente both will also start today with over half a million, with Matias Ruzzi, Jacques Blit, LAPT Season 6 Player of the Year Amos Ben, and Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez a number of the others still in contention.

Stick close as we'll be following the action from begin to finish here today as they play from 32 all the way down to a last table of eight players. Play starts in a bit over a half-hour at 12 noon, that is when the hand reports, chip counts, pictures, and more will start coming your way from Punte del Este. --MH 

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PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at LAPT9 Uruguay: Will O'Connor and Martin Harris. Photos by Carlos Monti. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog



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