Monday, October 3, 2016

LAPT9 Uruguay: Two-time champ Oscar Alache ascends to Day 1B chip leadNO Deposit bonus $43

It was another fast-paced, action-filled day within the big ballroom here within the Conrad Hotel & Casino where Day 1B of the Latin American Poker Tour Uruguay Main Event played out. 

Among the players popping out today was two-time LAPT Main Event champion Oscar Alache of Chile who we watched plow through the afternoon session, going bust previous to the dinner break. That was the last chance to reenter, and so he did, and within the night's final four levels he managed to spin the 20,000-chip starting stack the entire strategy to a number one 177,700, just nudging past Day 1A leader Fabian De La Fuente (176,400) to go back to the most important stack tomorrow.

Oscar Alache-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7315.jpg

Oscar Alache with chips (again)

There were 176 entries yesterday, and we expected more to return out for today's final starting flight. There have been around 100 seated at for the high noon start, and by the primary break they'd already eclipsed yesterday's total, with the sector ultimately growing to 257 entries. Prepare with the Day 1A group -- and adding the five no-shows -- the full turnout is an outstanding 438 entries.

A total of 96 players made it through today to enroll in the 59 who survived yesterday. Joining Alache to form the big-stacked brigade tonight were Javier Venegas (159,200), Gustavo Echeverri (138,000), Matheus Zilberknop (112,100), Amos Ben (112,000), Guillero Garcia (110,900), and Lisandro Gallo (107,100). 

Others making it through included Nacho Barbero (86,500), Andres Korn (84,500), Fabian Chauriye (83,400), Bruno Foster (64,800), and Gabrielle Costa (47,900). Click here for an entire list of end-of-Day-1B chip counts, and scroll below for start-to-finish coverage of all of the action from today. You'll also go here for a combined list of all 155 players coming back for Day 2 and their counts. 

Play resumes tomorrow with Day 2 at 12 noon local time (one hour prior to ET). Join us then as we'll continue to determine together who'll be the following LAPT champion. Until then, dulces sueños! --MH

LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event Day 1B Updates

12:01pm: Day 1B concludes

The last hands of the day was dealt, and it indeed looks as if Oscar Alache has seized the end-of-night lead. Recap to return. --MH

11:56pm: "Dos manos mas"Level 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100

The best part of ten levels have played out and with the tournament clock stopped, everyone on this Day 1B flight has two more hands until the top of the night. -- WOC

11:49pm: Barbero nearly ruins Ruhen after wild riverLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100

An entertaining hand just played out on Table 1 involving three Argentinian players -- all sitting in a row -- as they near the decision to prevent the clock and play the night's final hands.

After Marco Zevola opened for 2,200 from the button, Nacho Barbero three-bet to 6,500 from the small blind, then Hector Ruhen called from the large blind, prompting a fold from Zevola.

The flop came J♣A♣A♠ and both players checked, with Ruhen darting a glance at Barbero and offering a wry grin as he did. The turn was the 2♦ and when Barbero bet 5,200, Ruhen called quickly, roughly shaking his head and chuckling to himself as he did.

The river was the Q♦, and Barbero gathered together a chance of 18,500. Ruhen's head shaking bogged down a bit, then he interestingly pulled together chips to position out a raise. Barbero quickly announced he was all-in for a little bit more, and Ruhen called right away.

Ruhen tabled Q♣Q♥ for queens stuffed with aces, then Barbero showed his hand -- A♥Q♠ for a greater full house! The river had brought the case queen and all of that action, and the pair patted each other's shoulders as now both were shaking their heads and the way the hand had gone.

Barbero is suddenly up with reference to 100,000 while Ruhen slips to not up to 10,000. --MH

11:41pm: Alache looking like king of flightLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100

Oscar Alache was a kind of late registering gainers after the dinner break and midway during the final level of the night, the reigning LAPT Player of the Year picked up another serious addition to his stack. The pre flop action was missed but after a couple of raises, there has been a three-way all-in, with Alache closing the action with a choice of a virtually 50,000 chip shove.

That player held Q♥Q♦ and a brief stack, who had on the subject of 8,000, held A♣Q♠. Alache had them both in bad shape though, as he turned over K♣K♠.

The K♥9♠7♣ flop roughly sealed the opposite two player's fates and after the turn brought the 5♣, they were drawing dead. Both players tapped the table because the 6♦ completed the board and when the dust settled, Alache was teetering on 180,000.

That's likely going to be good for not just the 1B chip lead but in addition the full lead heading into Day 2, unless someone can best that figure over the following half-hour. -- WOC

Oscar Alache-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7224.jpg

Oscar at the rise

11:29pm: Gallo grows stackLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100

After Bernardo Abramovich limped from the cutoff and the small blind called, Lisandro Gallo squeeze-raised to 3,100 from the large blind, earning calls from both. The flop came 5♣A♣Q♥, and when checked to Gallo fired another bet, ok to earn him the small pot. 

Gallo was earning pots in Punta for longer than most on this field. We mentioned earlier how Ernesto Panno had participated within the first actual LAPT here in Uruguay (see below, 6:11pm). So, too, did Gallo, who in reality made all of it of ways to 3rd place in that event. He'd finish 14th within the LAPT Main in Punta del Este as well, and have been a typical at the tour ever since.

While Abramovich continues to battle with about 38,000, Gallo has grown his stack up over 90,000 now. --MH

11:13pm: Chauriye chipping upLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100

Checking in on Fabian Chauriye's table, he just kicked off the night's last level by winning a small hand versus Alexandre Sako. 

Chauriye has chipped up over 90,000 now, while Sako slipped to 35,000. --MH

11:04pm: Last level of the night beginsLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100

As the Day 1B field nears just 100 players, they start the 10th and final level of the night. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
10 500 1,000 100

11:01pm: Chauriye wins 'classic' flip against FernandezLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100

To win poker tournaments, it's a must to win flips and Fabian Chauriye just won a large one against Leo Fernandez. Action was picked up with player opening to 1,600 from early position and after a fold, Fernandez called. The table then folded around to Chauriye, who was within the small blind, and he three-bet to 4,900.

The initial bettor folded and the Team PokerStars Pro inspected Chauriye's stack after which his own. The three-bettor had just below 35,000 behind and after some thought, and a slight shrug of his shoulders, he put all his blue 5,000 value chips into the middle.

It was enough to position Chauriye all-in and the Chilean quickly called, tabling Q♥Q♣. Fernandez held A♣K♦ and the 2 were off to the races. Chauriye held throughout the J♥6♦5♠ flop and after the 9♦ fell at the turn, Fernandez had just six outs to attain the knockout.

The 6♥ wasn't one in all them, meaning Chauriye had survived the classic flip. Because the dealer reduce his stack, he turned to his brother Ricardo, who was at an adjacent table to present him the good news. That he was now playing over 70,000 and back near the highest of the leaderboard, where he stared this present day 1B flight. Leo Fernandez could also be back where he started, with just over a 20,000 chip starting stack. --WOC

10:59pm: Korn collects from CostaLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100

A set of community cards showing 3♥6♣2♣4♠Q♦ was enough incentive for Gabrielle Costa to fireside a river bet versus her lone opponent, Andres "Cacho" Korn, as she had A♥Q♥ and had paired up on fifth street. 

But the board was adequate for Korn to call, as he had flopped a suite with 2♦2♠ and still felt adequate about it to stay around. 

Korn's call earned him the pot, and he's up around 60,000 now. Costa slips to 72,000 near the top of Level 9 . --MH

10:49pm: No stopping Venegas eitherLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100

If there was on recurring theme throughout this present day 1B flight, it's that just one player is authorized to be over the 100,000 chip mark at a time. Marcello Caleres was the primary to wreck that threshold, before the dinner break, and he kept himself above that number during the last two levels.

Heading towards the tip of Level 9 though, Caleres has fallen and Javier Venegas has taken his place. Venegas is even peaking for this second starting session, as he's over 125,000, a mark no person has dared near to this point today.

If Venegas is in a position to continue to build, he could challenge Fabian De La Fuente for clubhouse lead heading into Day 2, as 'FDLF' bagged 176,000 to pace Day 1A's 59 survivors. AN ENTIRE list of yesterday's counts are available at the right sidebar of the PokerStars blog. -- WOC

10:38pm: No stopping ZilberknopLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100

Matheus Zilberknop of Brazil is doing well for himself here on Day 1B, having steadily accumulated all day to take a seat some of the group of players with bigger stacks midway through Level 9.

Like many others within the field, Zilberknop comes back to the Conrad after having tasted success here before, in his case having final tabled the BSOP Main Event here in Punta del Este back in June (the only won by Jaime Ateneloff). Zilberknop took eighth in that one out of 786 entries, good for a $9,370 score -- the most important of his career thus far.

He's got a smaller field to outlast on this tournament, and it keeps shrinking as they're down around 115 Day 1B players at the moment (with 59 having made it through Day 1A). Zilberknop's stack of 85,000 at this time puts him in good position to make it to tomorrow's Day 2. --MH

10:28pm: Easy translation of 'chip leader'Level 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100

It seems as if whenever these English speaking bloggers come to South America, we learn something new and today's Spanish lesson came from Lisandro Gaucho. As we were circling the tournament area, he asked, roughly, "What the chip leader was playing?" to which we shook our head.

We explained that we actually only understand how to reserve "jamon y queso" omelettes and the occasional glass of "agua". He then quickly solved the issue himself, asking "cuantos" and pointing to his stack and the room.

After a moment of thought we realized what he was asking and explained that the largest stack thus far today was just over the 100,000 mark. We then desired to further our journey into the Spanish language and asked, "¿Como se dice 'chip leader'?"

The table checked out one another and laughed, with Gaucho answering, "Eh, 'chip leader'."

Spanish is pretty easy huh? It is usually easy to follow the entire chip count updates at the PokerStars Blog, with an entire list of huge stacks coming on the end of just today 1B session. --WOC

Ballroom-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7208.jpg

Day 1B continues

10:19pm: Big-stacked BenLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100

LAPT Season 6 Player of the Year Amos Ben entered this event late, taking his seat in advance of the dinner break and end of late registration. However, as we just noted before the last break, he's made probably the most of his couple of minutes on the tables, and now sits with one of the vital bigger stacks within the room. 

Just now he reraise-shoved over a short-stack's opening all-in to isolate, then tabled A♥T♥ which had his opponent's A♥T♥ dominated. A runout of 8♥J♠A♣7♥6♠ then reduced the sector by one while pushing Ben up around 90,000. That's twice the common at the moment as there are about 120 left from the 257 Day 1B starters. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
9 400 800 100

9:52pm: Yet one more break

With Level 8 done, players are off on their last 15-minute break of the night. --MH

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9:48pm: Caleres still leads, numerous creme risingLevel 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75

Amos Ben-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7182.jpg

Ben built quickly after dinner

Better late than never and while that applies to players peaking heading into the overall break of the night, it is also when many of the current leaderboard entered just today 1B flight. Chip leader Marcello Caleres, who held the highest stack on dinner, was here for the previous couple of hours however the same cannot be said for one of the crucial most experienced within the field, Amos Ben, Oscar Alache and Leo Fernandez.

Those three came in on both sides of the dinner break and feature quickly gotten to work building their stacks. Ben has seen the most important upswing, as he's now playing the easier a part of 80,000, adding three starting stacks during two hours.

Ben is behind a top-five stack, with Gustavo Echeverri, Javier Venegas, Alache and Fernandez right behind him. Pablo Alma and Claudio Moya are within touching distance, behind three stacks and it'll be interesting to peer how these players attack the overall two periods.

The PokerStars Blog might be here to bring you all of the action until the luggage pop out after Level 10, with a listing of the highest stacks provided below. --WOC

Player Chip Count
Marcello Caleres 103,000
Lisandro Gaucho 93,000
Marco Zevola 87,000
Matias Manta 84,000
Amos Ben 81,000
Gustavo Echeverri 79,000
Javier Venegas 76,000
Andres "Cacho" Korn 72,000
Oscar Alache 67,000
Leo Fernandez 65,000
Murillo Gaissler 65,000
Gabriella Costa 63,000
Pablo Alma 61,000
Claudio Moya 61,000

9:36pm: Hard to not believe earnest ErnestoLevel 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75

A three-way hand marked by a variety of table talk and laughter made it to the turn with about 8,000 within the pot and the board showing A♠4♥T♠Q♥

Suddenly all grew quiet, that queen at the turn appearing to have changed the complexion of items considerably. It checked around to Ernesto Panno who picked out a raffle of 3,500, and his opponents each paused only a beat -- stealing looks on the earnest-looking Ernesto -- before ditching their cards. 

Panno then tabled his hand -- 5♦5♥ (!) -- and that got the table talk started again. Panno has about 25,000 presently. --MH

9:30pm: Federico Roberto's five-bet wins game of 'Chicken'Level 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75

Usually, hands that do not visit a flop aren't exactly reportable but a five-bet changes the location drastically. Federico Roberto just forced a fold after setting up the fifth raise, to transport himself over the chip average.

Action was picked up with Fabian Chauriye opening within the cutoff and Roberto responded with a three-bet to 3,400 from the button. The blinds folded and Chauriye slid out 8,100, for a four-bet, a move that sent his opponent into the tank.

Roberto gave the impression of he was going to fold, shuffling his cards for with reference to a minute and a half before returning them underneath one among his small denomination chips. He then verbalized "15,000" and put out three neat stacks of yellow 1,000 value chips to total that amount.

Chauriye flicked his headphones from his ear and asked for confirmation, before taking a visit to the tank himself. After another minute of thought from Chauriye, he let his hand go and Roberto was taking within the pot with no need to even see three community cards. --WOC

9:19pm: 438 is the numberLevel 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75

We've just gotten the word -- 438 entries is the official total for this event, counting the 176 Day 1A entries, the 257 on Day 1B, and five no-shows. Prize pool information coming in a while! --MH

9:06pm: Fun with FernandezLevel 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75

Earlier today we saw a humorous hand play out between German Fernandez Schemini of Uruguay and Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez. 

The hand had reached the river, with a king the primary community card and an ace having bookended the board on fifth street. After a Fernandez check, Schemini had bet into the pot and with a large number of exasperation Fernandez finally folding, showing a king as he did. Schemini then cheekily showed his hand -- a bluff with a few medium cards -- and Fernandez held his head in one of those half-genuine, half-joking dismay.

The table laughed in response, and while time has passed the mood has remained fairly light there post-dinner. Today things turned slightly more serious, though, in a multi-way pot involving Fernandez, Schimini, and Fabian Chauriye.

After a Chauriye open from under the gun to 1,500, five players called including Fernandez within the hijack seat and Schimini within the big blind. The flop put an ace and a king at the board again, and came single-suited -- 8♦A♦K♦. It folded around to Fernandez who fired 2,100, then everyone folded back to Chauriye who studied deeply for just about a minute before letting his hand go.

When Fernandez mucked face down, declining to turn his hand, Chauriye grunted in disappointment. Then the pair engaged in conversation and the grins returned, Fernandez's hiding whether he'd bluffed or not.

Leo Fernandez-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7176.jpg

Leo smiling, not showing

Fernandez has about 25,000 right now, Schemini about 35,000, and Chauriye remains to be sitting comfortably with over 60,000. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
8 300 600 75

8:53pm: No days off for Carlos CaiLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

Players that bagged during yesterday's Day 1A flight got an off day before the starting flights combine tomorrow but some players didn't wish to overlook any of the LAPT9 Uruguay action. Carlos Cai was considered one of them and he made his time worth it, as he claimed the $200 PL Omaha title just after the dinner break concluded.

Carlos Cai-Winner PLO 200-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7190.jpg

Cai picked up some hardware before Day 2

With one win under his belt already, Cai could pose a threat so as to add to his LAPT9 haul tomorrow. He'll return for tomorrow's Day 2 session below the chip average but with a workable 30 big blind stack, Cai may be a contender. --WOC

8:40pm: Straight flush catapults AlacheLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

"Now?"

So asked the dealer (in Spanish) of a few players holding up proceedings briefly to take photos with their phones. What were they snapping? It was the board and two hands -- the aftermath of an all-in involving two-time LAPT champion Oscar Alache.

We noted how Alache have been eliminated just previous to the dinner break, and as expected he bought back in exactly before the chance to reenter was taken away. After chipping up a bit, he got another huge boost today after knocking out an opponent.

That picture-worthy board was 3♦J♥7♦9♥Q♥, with the losing A♦A♠ on one side and Alache's winner at the other -- K♥T♥ for a straight flush. 

That brings Alache as much as around 65,000 now, suddenly on the subject of twice the typical stack within the room. --MH

8:27pm: Table 1 is on 'Nacho Time'Level 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

Playing both live and online, like Nacho Barbero did yesterday, is excellent for the player that may be doing it. He's seemingly always going to have a hand or decision, especially when multi-tabling online. For the opposite players on the table, it would not be as great when Barbero pays more attention to the virtual felt than the hand that may be right in front of him.

Barbero just played a pot against Marco Zevola, with that action opening with a 1,200 chip raise from the latter. Barbero, who was the following player to act, three-bet to 3,000 and while the table folded, Barbero gave the impression of he could care less. He was busy swiping and tapping his iPad, finally picking his head as much as see that Zevola had called and already checked the J♣T♥7♦ flop.

The multi-tabler quickly tapped the table as well, seeming more occupied with a hand that was playing out at the screen in front of him. The K♣ brought another check from Zevola, this time with somewhat more force to perhaps nudge the Argentine right into a quicker turn decision.

Barbero got his online clicks and faucets out of ways before throwing out 3,400 and after some thought, Zevola called. The 5♥ completed the board and Zevola gave another heavy fist to the table. Barbero was on his own time though, as he was facing an all-in on his screen. He clicked call and the cards ran around the screen, followed by the PokerStars 'Knockout!' banner, signifying a successful elimination.

There was no reaction from Barbero but there has been a 5,500 chip bet, eventually, and after a couple of seconds, Zevola mucked and the table readied themselves for the following hand. While he was stacking 35,000 chips, Barbero ordered a coffee from the waitress and went back to clicking, eyes fixed at the colorful screen in front of him... --WOC

8:19pm: Venegas vaults himself into contentionLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

Before the dinner break, we reported a majority of the players that were above three starting stacks and thru the outlet section of Level 7, Javier Venegas has pushed himself into that category. The Argentine is now behind on the subject of 73,000, that is still only second best at his Day 1B table.

That's because Gabriella Costa still holds the chip lead in that lineup and in the event you remember, a fortunate river, check the 4:04 PM update below, saved her tournament life against Venegas. Those two have both come again from earlier short stacks and they will attempt to continue to chip up, while staying out of every other's way for now, during the remainder of this 1B session. --WOC

8:09pm: Ateneloff outLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

Among the early post-dinner knockouts is Uruguay's "Godfather of Poker," Jaime Ateneloff, who couldn't spin his short stack back up after battling gamely the previous couple of levels. --MH

8:02pm: What the massive board saysLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

The big board has now settled at 257 entries -- which put with yesterday's 176 would mean 433 altogether -- but they'll must undergo and finalize that total before a prize pool will come. 

Right now we're 160 players still left from the Day 1B field. And we will say evidently that number won't be getting any larger, because the ability to reenter went away with the closing of late registration. --MH

7:58pm: Back from dinner, field frozen, official numbers coming soonLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

We're back from the Day 1B dinner break and that suggests that this LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event field is frozen. While the board reads just over 250 players for this second and final starting flight, we're still waiting at the official number from the tournament staff.

When the player count is confirmed, we'll bring you that information, in addition to the relevant prize pool information in addition. Those figures won't come into play until tomorrow's Day 2 session but players will definitely need to know what they're competing for here in Punta de Este. -- WOC

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
7 250 500 50

6:40pm: Dinner break

Having reached the tip of Level 6, players at the moment are off on a 75-minute dinner break. Once they return they'll play four more one-hour levels before calling it an evening. --MH

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6:35pm: Caleres controls chip lead, handful over three stacksLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

We're only a few minutes from the tip of Level 6, because of this the leaderboard is beginning to come along with greater than 1/2 this 1B flight within the books. Because it stands, Marcello Caleres, who earlier cracked pocket kings and aces, is controlling the chip lead with just over 100,000.

He's the one player working greater than six-figures but there are a handful of players with over three starting stacks. Marco Zevola is one in all them, meaning he'll head into the post-dinner part of play for the second one day in a row with a top stack.

Zevola wasn't in a position to survive last night but 83,000 should put him capable of succeed on his second attempt. Gabriella Costa was short stacked earlier but is now behind 78,000 and a South American multi-national four-some is hovering slightly below 70,000 to round out the highest stacks.

A complete list of these counts is equipped below. -- WOC

Player Chip Count
Marcello Caleres 105,000
Marco Zevola 83,000
Gabriella Costa 78,000
Fabian Chauriye 68,000
Matias Manta 67,000
Armando Espinosa 66,000
Bruno Foster 64,000

6:33pm: Costa climbingLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

In a three-way pot Jaime Ateneloff bet the T♦4♦Q♣ flop and only Gabrielle Costa called. Then after the 2♣ turn Ateneloff checked, Costa said she was all-in, and Ateneloff needed to let his hand go.

With the dinner break near, Costa is now up around 70,000 while Ateneloff has slipped under 10,000. --MH

6:27pm: No false alarm this time, Fernandez joins lateLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

Earlier, there has been an imposter among just today 1B field, as we thought that we spotted Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez. That was not the case, although the back of the unknown player's head looked like the one we stumbled upon at a central table.

That's where the actual Leo Fernandez has begun his 1B run, sitting a couple of seats to the fitting of where reigning LAPT Player of the Year Oscar Alache once sat. He's been eliminated and with just over 20 minutes from the dinner break, that implies Fernandez and Alache need to be near the 20,000 chip starting stack when late registration closes in the beginning of Level 7.

In his own words, Leo "fought, fought, fought" yesterday, hitting the rail within the final level before the baggage came out, so he's hoping for a more successful LAPT9 Uruguay bout today. -- WOC

6:18pm: Caleres cracks kings and aces, moves over 100,000Level 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

Yesterday, nobody broke the 100,000 chip mark until almost an hour and a half after the dinner break but today, midway through Level 6, Marcello Caleres has already eclipsed that threshold. Caleres just cracked pocket kings and pocket aces with pocket tens and while the action was missed, the cards were picked up at their back with Caleres holding his two opponents in a strangle hold.

The chips got in on the T♠9♥6♠ flop, with the player with K♥K♦ and A♠A♦ both covered by the large stacked Caleres. After the 8♣ came at the turn, Caleres needed to fade just four cards at the river and he did, with the brick of bricks, the 2♥ completing the board.

When the dust settled, a player to Caleres' right made the belief that his neighbor was the brand new chip leader and we're here to inform you that that may be definitely the case. Caleres is top of the charts by a tight amount and an entire list of the leaders can be posted before the impending dinner break. -- WOC

6:11pm: Panno back in PuntaLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

Uruguay is found in southeast South America, along the Atlantic coast. The rustic is bordered by big Brazil to the northeast, with Argentina curling across the remainder of it at the country's west side.

It's unsurprising, then, to search out a large number of Argentinians in Punta del Este for these events. Nor was it surprising to look one among them -- Ernesto Panno -- coming back again this year. Panno came to the first actual LAPT Uruguay back in 2008, and keeps coming back. 

Panno's best finish here was during Season 3 when he took ninth. He also has many cashes elsewhere -- including many in his native Argentina -- in addition to some WSOP scores including one within the biggest Main Event ever back in 2006.

Panno has about 30,000, and a plan to continue playing this event so long as he can. After which likely more in Uruguay to boot. --MH

Ernesto Panno-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7136.jpg

Panno plays a mano

6:02pm: At the railLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

We've lost a couple of more players here as they push throughout the halfway mark of Level 6, among them Gaston "Barto" Belluscio.

The big board shows 230 entries up to now today, though the entire is probably going higher. --MH

5:51pm: Verbs about MoyaLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

Standing. Thinking. Brooding, really. Then, finally... calling.

That was Claudio Moya at present after a fifth-street card completed a board T♣2♠2♥6♦Q♦. Thereafter he was leaning, looking, seeing an opponent table 6♠5♦, then turning over his own J♥T♠.

Next Moya was pivoting, stepping away, returning, and sitting. 

Now he's stacking. And we're counting -- about 60,000 chips. --MH

5:45pm: A COUPLE OF checking in at the competitionLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

Over the last half hour, a couple of players that successfully navigated yesterday's Day 1A flight was spotted walking in the course of the tournament area. They earned themselves an afternoon off after bagging chips but Brazil's Victor Teixeira, Argentina's Carlitos Cai and Paraguay's Pedro Aldave are checking in on today's competition.

There is probably not much to peer just yet, as there may be still the easier a part of four and a half hours remaining in Day 1B, so their best bet is to follow along at the PokerStars Blog. We'll be tracking this field until the top of the night and before the 1B dinner break, that is just about 45 minutes away, we'll bring you a listing of the highest stacks within the room. -- WOC

5:36pm: Last level before dinnerLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

They push onward into Level 6 with out a break, the last one-hour level before the 75-minute dinner break arrives. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
6 200 400 50

5:33pm: Ateneloff drops a fewLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25

Near the top of Level 5, Jaime Ateneloff found himself in a three-way pot at the river with the board showing T♠6♥J♥6♠7♦. After a check and bet of 7,500, he thought for a short time before finally digging out calling chips. The player in between folded, the bettor showed 9♣8♦ for a straight, and Ateneloff let his hand go.

The 85-year-old Urugayan -- known by many because the "Godfather of Uruguayan poker" -- is go into reverse to about 12,000 now. --MH

5:20pm: Quads are overkill for VitolaLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25

The action at Franco Bochina's table continued into the very next hand, as Fernando Vitola opened to 2,000 from under the gun. A BRIEF stack then shoved for just over 7,000 after a couple of folds and once the table passed around to Bochina, who was within the big, he appeared like he had a call on his hands.

Eventually, he elected to fold and he was glad he did, as Vitola quickly called the all-in before tabling J♣J♠. His opponent held 9♥9♦ and was drawing to only two immediate outs.

After the Q♣J♦6♦ flop, he was kind of drawing dead and after the Q♣ turn fell, he was. Only for good measure, or overkill from the fast stack's perspective, Vitola improved to quads at the river, because the J♥ completed the board.

Everyone loves quads it doesn't matter what stage of a tournament they get them and Vitola should be loving how his Day 1B session goes thus far, as he's near 40,000. -- WOC

5:16pm: Bochina boats as much as stay aliveLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25

Midway through Level 5, a large pot developed at an outer table and while one player held the nuts at the flop, he seemed hesitant to commit a majority of his stack against Franco Bochina. Maybe that's because he knew what was approaching the river, with the action picked up on a board of K♦T♠9♥.

A player within the blinds checked before Bochina bet 1,800, only to peer another opponent, who was at the button, call. The player within the blinds then sprung into action, check-raising to 6,800. Bochina quickly replied with a shove, as he moved all-in for 17,600.

The player at the button folded and after he counted down his 30,000 chip stack, the check-raiser called to peer Bochina table 9♦9♣. After a couple of moments, the player turned over Q♠J♣, for a flopped straight and that drew a couple of looks from players across the table.

Bochina was right next to his opponent, so he couldn't look him directly within the eyes but it is advisable tell the in peril player was slightly annoyed on the apparent slow roll. The 7♦ fell at the turn but Bochina boated up at the river, because the T♦ paired and completed the board.

The losing player didn't say a word but his body language made it seem like he was never too comfortable playing that massive of a pot, despite having the most productive of it when the chips went in. Bochina was likely never going anywhere, so it was an unavoidable spot and he's now playing over double starting, with 42,000. -- WOC

5:04pm: Alache steps asideLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25

Oscar Alache found himself in a preflop battle together with his neighbor at the left, ultimately reaching some degree where after an Alache three-bet his opponent pushed all-in with the 8,000 or so he had behind.

That prompted the two-time LAPT champion to reevaluate the situation, looking first at his own stack, then eyeing the tournament clock for several seconds with a glance that suggested he was considering how distant they're to late registration ending and the reentry option going away.

At last Alache folded, preserving his stack of just about 20,000 -- incidentally, exactly what he'd get again should he not survive previous to dinner, and then (at first of Level 7) there is not any more reentering. --MH

4:49pm: An Echeverri superb handLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25

With the board showing 2♣T♥3♥3♠3♦ and around 10,000 within the center, Gustavo Echeverri fired a raffle of 5,000 and was in a position to earn a call, and then he tabled his hand -- 5♦3♣ for runner-runner quads. His opponent showed his T♦9♣ -- a thwarted full house -- and Echeverri collected the pot.

The Costa Rican is up around 45,000 now. --MH

4:40pm: Will the actual Leo Fernandez, please stand upLevel 5: Blinds 150/400, Ante 50

A trip across the tournament area after the second one break of the day revealed that Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez had joined the action, until we got a bit closer. The back of the player's head matched; long, dark hair covered by a baseball cap, in addition to the hip, casual selection of outerwear.

¿Leo?-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7124.jpg

¿Leo? Nope, false alarm.

As we rotated across the table though, not such a lot. It was an imposter, perhaps Fernandez's stunt double or long lost relative. Alas, no Leo just yet, meaning we'll keep our eyes out for him over the following two levels before late registration closes. -- WOC

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
5 150 300 50

4:20pm: Let's take a break

Four levels down, six to go, and QUARTER-HOUR to consider all of it. Smoke 'em should you got 'em. --MH

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4:15pm: Maintaining with the 'featured players'Level 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

Just as we did yesterday, heading into the second one break of the day, we're updating the PokerStars Blog followers with counts of the players we've featured up to now today. SOME OF THESE counts represent players near the highest of the leaderboard and once that list starts to take a more defined shape, we'll begin to incorporate some new names.

As of right now, it's Fabian Chauriye on the top, a position he found himself early in Day 1A. Unfortunately for the Chilean, he wasn't capable of keep going and was bounced midway during the day. He'll be hoping for better this time around, together with Bruno Foster.

He's fired a couple of bullets today but may well be breaking even, for the chips he's paid for, if he's in a position to continue to climb. Cowboy Gustavo Echeverri is sitting strong with over two starting stacks, with Marco Zevola right below that threshold.

An updated take a look at the 'featured stacks' is equipped below and we'll add to that list over the following two levels as more big stacks emerge. -- WOC

Player Chip Count
Fabian Chauriye 57,000
Bruno Foster 53,000
Rodrigo Garrido 42,000
Gustavo Echeverri 41,000
Marco Zevola 37,000
Murilo Gaissler 32,000
Bernardo Abramovich 31,000
Andres "Cacho" Korn 22,000
Nacho Barbero 18,000
Gabriella Costa 16,000

4:14pm: Moya back for moreLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25

The Chilean Claudio Moya was battling away as we move into the latter a part of the afternoon. Moya is asking to enroll in the exclusive two-time LAPT Main Event champions club after having won LAPT8 Peru last year.

He followed that triumph with a 19th-place showing here in Punta del Este within the LAPT8 Uruguay Main Event, the third time he's made the highest 20 in them.

Moya is low on chips present, but above average in experience surviving deep in these. --MH

4:12pm: Foster forces a fold and his way up the chartsLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

Bruno Foster's Day 1B exploits was well documented over the process the primary four levels. He was bounced early after which saw another bullet miss the objective nevertheless it seems like the third is operating like a charm.

Foster was just thinking about potentially the largest pot of the day, after he shoved the activate a board of 5♥5♣2♣9♥. The Brazilian's shove was for just over 19,500 and with 31,000 within the pot, the winner of the hand would likely find themselves on the top of the leaderboard.

Alas, after just about two minutes of thought, Foster's opponent folded and conceded the pot. He wasn't complaining though, as he then stacked up just over 50,000, almost breaking even at the chips he's paid for today. -- WOC

4:10pm: Gaissler getting alongLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

With about 8,000 within the middle and the board showing A♠J♥3♥3♦3♣, Murilo Gaissler watched his opponent check, then he fired a chance of about half the pot in an try to win what was within the middle. That's when his opponent check-raised all-in, commencing all of his chips in one column.

The reraise was with a grimy"" stack -- i.e., chips of various denominations were mixed haphazardly -- though it wasn't too hard to eyeball it and spot the bet was for approximately 15,000. It evidently was a grimy spot, too, from Gaissler's expression, and after thinking for approximately a half-minute he let his hand go.

This is Gaissler's first ever LAPT event, actually. He traveled here on a poker-centric trip, playing some in Montevideo before heading over for the festival. The primary almost-four levels have gone reasonably well for him thus far, as he sits with a little bit over 30,000. --MH 

Murilo Gaissler-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7073.jpg

So far, so good for Gaissler

4:04pm: Costa catches river to outlive three-way all-inLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

Gabrielle Costa just chopped a pot with both her and an opponent holding full houses and some minutes later, she was involved again, although with the worst hand of 3 all-ins. The pre flop action was missed however the cards were picked up on their back, with Costa at risk, holding 8♥8♦.

Javier Venegas had both players covered and the most efficient of it, with J♣J♠ and there has been a brief stack, who was all-in for just over 4,100, holding T♣T♦. After the T♥2♣2♠ flop, the quick stack had shot into the lead but with Costa's effective stack sitting just around 15,000, the side pot was more valuable to Venegas.

It gave the look of it might be his after the 5♦ fell at the turn but once the 8♠ completed the board, he was left wondering how he could get unlucky in two spots. Costa had a unique expression, all smiles, as she was saved by the river and back over the starting stack heading towards the last quarter of Level 4.

When the dust settled, the quick stack had tripled to a workable 15,000 and Venegas was left because the low man out of the three, with just 7,000. -- WOC

3:52pm: Nacho continues the fightLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

Nacho Barbero played Day 1A, and commenced with everyone else here on Day 1B. Then he found himself back on the cashier's desk as Level 4 proceeded, buying back in again to check out to spin up that starting stack.

He's wearing the suitable cap to symbolize someone persevering amid challenges. --MH

Nacho Barbero-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7117.jpg

Player: Barbero, N.Playing style: fight-aggressive

3:36pm: Costa only collects halfLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

Just now it appeared as if Gabrielle Costa may well be about to win a large pot and earn a lift to her stack, because the board showed J♠6♠6♣J♣3♥ and he or she was tabling J♦9♦. But her opponent, Javier "El Soldador" Venegas, had Q♠J♥ for a similar full house, and the pair chopped up what was within the middle.

Costa remains to be sitting at about 20,000 -- that is, the stack with which she started. Meanwhile Venegas is up around 35,000. --MH

3:22pm: Teetering on 200Level 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

We're 1 / 4 of how through Level 4 and because it stands, just below 200 players have entered into just today 1B flight. That's greater than came out yesterday, with the pace of entrants still set to eclipse 250, remember Sergio Prado's breakfast prediction, by day's end.

While a few of those entries have come from players trying again, and again, and again, in some cases, a few of the faces in Day 1B has been fresh ones. With some players having multiple bullets invested, a growing field could incentivize them to continue to fire, especially if the prize pool continues to ballon. -- WOC

3:09pm: More side events to maintain festival rollingLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

While the Evento Principal moves into it's forth level of Day 1B, the side event schedule may be getting started for the weekend. Yesterday, two Spades were awarded, with Damian Kutner claiming the $200 PL Omaha title.

Damian Kutner-Winner PLO 200 Event-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7018.jpg

The second 'Spade' went to Damian Kutner

Two more trophies are up for grabs today, including a $200 PL Omaha Hi/Lo event, that started at 2 PM, and a $600 NL Hold'em Turbo event, which begins later tonight at 6 PM. Again, the PokerStars Blog won't be providing updates or coverage of those events but we'll always give the winners their deserving share of blog love.

A complete LAPT9 Uruguay schedule are available at the LAPT website here. --WOC

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
4 100 200 25

3:01pm: Bruno knocked down, gets up againLevel 3: Blinds 100/200

As the day's third level was nearing its close, we saw Bruno Foster losing the last of his stack -- and the last of his third buy-in into this event (counting one from yesterday). Pocket sixes proved his undoing in this one, and as he glided by our table he had a two-word comment to share regarding what had happened.

"Mais uma!"

That's Portuguese for "one more," which these days we took to be potentially ambiguous. Was he stating how he'd lost another entry, or was he indicating an intention to fireplace again?

A few moments later we knew the solution -- the latter. Foster is back at it, hoping he do not have to go to the cashier's desk anymore today. --MH

Bruno Foster-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7080.jpg

Bruised-but-not-beaten Bruno

2:49pm: Vaeza rolls inLevel 3: Blinds 100/200

Over at one of the most tables at the side of the ballroom is a well dressed man in his early 60s, sporting silver headphones and tapping his fingers in rhythm in front of his still modest-sized stack of chips. On closer inspection, we recall who he's -- Adolfo Vaeza of Montevideo, remembered to these us who follow the tournament circuit for a brief string of successful high roller performances many years back.

Vaeza runs a construction company and has only travelled occasionally outside of Uruguay for poker. But if he has, he's done well.

After picking up considered one of his first career tournament cashes within the LAPT Main Event in Punta del Este during Season 2 (when he finished 17th), Vaeza took trips to Monaco, London, and the Bahamas, within the latter two locations finishing fifth within the £20,000 EPT6 Grand Final High Roller, then third within the $25K PCA High Roller in 2010 -- two cashes worth around $450K USD total. 

He continued to make the cash in tournaments thereafter, including in additional EPT events. But he's also continued to play here in Punta del Este where he's earned smaller cashes. Most recently he won a small BSOP event here on the Conrad (in June).

We'll see if the development company owner can build a stack here today and come back to a different final table. --MH

Adolfo Vaeza-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7126.jpg

Vaeza at work on an indoor project

2:38pm: River saves Elicio RomaoLevel 3: Blinds 100/200

A poker hand isn't over until the river, so premature celebrations leave players some room to position their proverbial foot of their mouth when their fates quickly change after the last card is dealt. Elicio Romao's opponent just gave a fist pump at the turn but after the river, Romao was doubling up, much to the displeasure of his opponent.

Action was picked up with a player leading out for 2,100 from early position on a board of A♣K♦3♦. Another player called before Romao raised all-in, for 9,300 total. Immediately, a 3rd unknown player re-shoved, together with his stack weighing in at 16,900.

The flop bettor and caller quickly folded and Romao gave the impression of he was in decent shape to double, as he held A♥3♦ to his opponent's A♦Q♥. That was, until the K♠ came at the turn, voiding Romao's flopped two pair. His opponent gave a fist pump but just as he recoiled, the 3♥ spiked at the river, to revive order and provides Romao a whole house.

There was no fanfare or celebration from Romao, because he's seen immense success across South America and Europe over the past few years. He'll now be on the lookout for another deep LAPT run, after doubling to simply over 32,000 midway through Level 3. --WOC

Elcio Romao-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7056.jpg

No celebration for Romao at the river

2:26pm: Field updateLevel 3: Blinds 100/200

The tournament clock is showing 174 entries to this point here on Day 1B, although we all know the real number is greater than that during. other words, with nearly four levels plus the dinner break left to move in late registration, they've already exceeded the 176 entries of yesterday's first Day 1 flight. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
3 100 200 0

2:04pm: Break time

Having reached the top of Level 2, players are actually off on their first 15-minute break of the day. --MH

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1:53pm: Friendly pokerLevel 2: Blinds 75/150

We're seeing an even selection of limped pots here within the early going, including a six-way one at present because the second level of the day nears its close.

Just now came another involving Gaston "Barto" Belluscio within the small blind versus his neighbor within the big who checked his option. The pair then checked down the board, split the pot as both had ten-high, and shook hands when it was all said and done.

All very amiable, though we do not expect such friendly poker to continue too deeply into the afternoon once the antes kick in and blinds increase. --MH

1:45pm: Cuidado de los colores...Level 2: Blinds 75/150

Yesterday, we saw a misclick win Oscar Alache a large early pot and another just played out with only some minutes left in Level 2 of today's session. A player meant to boost to 300 from under the gun but in preference to putting out three black 100 value chips, he threw out three blue 5,000 value chips.

Action is binding with none verbal declaration, so "quince mil" stood because the amount to name. Rafael Bravo seemed like he desired to capitalize on his opponent's apparent mistake and after a couple of folds, and a few laughs coming from Andres Korn, Bravo announced himself "all-in".

He had just over 17,000 and after the remainder of the table passed, the misclicker called and tabled T♥T♠. While his raise was likely much, much larger than he intended, he still had an excellent hand, something Bravo may not has been expecting.

Bravo held 4♣4♥ and after the board ran out clean for some of the best pocket pair, Bravo was eliminated previous to the primary break of the day. The misclicker stacked his newly won chips and Korn ran down the action for a Emiliano Alcaide, who was at the rail. Alcaide simply said, "Woah." and everybody will definitely be double checking the colour in their raises from now on...-- WOC

1:32pm: Enter EcheverriLevel 2: Blinds 75/150

Gustavo Echeverri sticks out in any crowd. The gray-haired Costa Rican has turned up occasionally at various LAPT events over the years, most recently final tabling the High Roller at LAPT9 Panama. His cool, tan cowboy hat makes him easy to identify when looking over the heads of the now 140-plus players in action through the second level of Day 1B.

Echeverri was a part of the Costa Rican poker scene for a while, and in reality has the honour of getting had a tournament named after him. Back in June 2002 one of the most events within the Linda Johnson Celebrity Challenge series that played out within the Casino Europa in San Jose. Echeverri joined the likes of Daniel Negreanu, Humberto Brenes, Scotty Nguyen, and Howard "Tahoe" Andrew being so honored.

The event was a singular one -- a $10 limit hold'em event (that's right, just ten bucks). But it surely had unlimited rebuys and a $20K guarantee, and in reality ended up sporting nearly a $50K prize pool with almost $20K going to the first-place finisher. 

Who was the winner? None as opposed to 2002 WSOP champion Robert Varkonyi, only some weeks far from his Main Event triumph -- his first cash after winning the primary. No shinola! --MH

Gustavo Echeverri-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7107.jpg

An EcheVERRI interesting story

1:18pm: Aussie, Aussie, Argentine?Level 2: Blinds 75/150

Bernardo Abramovich is from Argentina but for today's Day 1B flight, and we do not know why, he's rocking some Australian-themed sunglasses. That got us thinking, has an Australian ever made it to the LAPT winner's circle?

The answer, no. In fact, only to Australians hasn't ever even made the overall table of an LAPT Main Event, although we're not sure what number of have competed at the tour. Although he is also flying the "defaced Blue Ensign" flag on his sunglasses, he's Argentinian through and through, meaning he's hoping to become the 10th Argentine to ever claim an LAPT title.

Bernardo Abramovich-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7097.jpg

Some Aussie flair for Argentina's Abramovich

Argentinians have probably the most wins at the LAPT, with Chile and Brazil tied for second with 6 victories each. The U.S. has 4 titles, good for 4th best all-time and Peru, with 3 wins, round out the top-five. --WOC

1:04pm: Barbero, Zevola searching for better luckLevel 2: Blinds 75/150

The return of players from yesterday's Day 1A flight has continued into Level 2, as Nacho Barbero has just entered and brought his seat at an outer table. While Barbero is the cream of the crop at the LAPT, with two Main Event victories to his name, the Argentine never broke into the highest of the leaderboard.

Marco Zevola did though, peaking after the dinner break, only to fall late before the flight wrapped up. Barbero, Zevola and all of the revenants from yesterday's opening starting session will hope for some better luck today, as this may occasionally be their last chance to make Day 2. --WOC

Marco Zevola-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7122.jpg

Ze return of Zevola

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
2 75 150 0

12:51pm: Costa at the LAPT stageLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

Last night Gabrielle Costa won a satellite and in consequence is sitting among those comprising the Day 1B field. Costa has collected quite a lot of cashes over recent years -- mostly in her native Brazil -- but is here in search of her first one in an LAPT event.

Costa has quite a lot of experience at the big stage as well, both figuratively and literally. She's had success in beauty pageants, among her triumphs being elected Miss Amazonas in 2008. She's also represented Amazonas in poker, being a part of the state's team within the Brazil Team Championship.

For folks who haven't heard about it, poker really is regarded as a sport in Brazil, and every year the rustic stages a championship for which all 18 states send teams. Costa was a part of the squad before -- as has her twin sister, in reality -- and in 2014 helped lead the team to a comeback victory within the championship.

Gabrielle Costa-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7069.jpg

Costa, card player

Costa has gotten curious about several hands in this first level, but still sits with just about the starting stack of 20,000. We'll keep an eye fixed to peer how she does in her quest so as to add a poker crown to the others she's collected. --MH

12:43pm: Already over century mark, how big will 1B get?Level 1: Blinds 50/100

During the PokerStars Blog team's pre-1B breakfast, we did what bloggers do, make predictions. After 176 players came out for yesterday's 1A flight, Brazil's Sergio Prado said that he wouldn't be surprised if as regards to 250 players came out for today's session.

Prado would know, as he's worked every LAPT event since Season 1 and obviously knows his way across the South American tournament scene. With over 100 players already seated for today's 1B flight, something that did not happen until Level 3 yesterday, Prado is asking good on his prediction thus far.

No matter how big or small, the PokerStars Blog will continue to maintain you posted in this field's growth until late registration is over. That will not be until after the post-Level 6 dinner break, meaning there may be a number of time to hit that 250 player prediction... --WOC

12:37pm: Foster, Alache briefly togetherLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

We were going to report that maybe two of the largest names on this Day 1B flight, Bruno Foster and reigning LAPT Player of the Year Oscar Alache, were seated next to one another on Table 4. That was, until the latter sent the previous to the rail midway through this opening 60-minute period.

Action was picked up on a board of 6♣5♥2♦ and after a player checked from the blinds, Foster checked to boot. Alache, who had position on his two opponents, bet 2,000 and after the unknown player called, Foster went all-in fro 5,675.

Alache quickly called and the opposite player folded after as regards to two minutes of thought, with Foster admitting he "only had a six". He showed 7♣6♠ and Alache was more healthy with 7♦7♥. The 4♣ gave Foster additional outs to a straight but he couldn't get there, because the 4♦ completed the board and confirmed his elimination.

While Alache took within the pot, to transport him up near 30,000, Foster quickly exited the tournament area, only to go back a couple of minutes later with a brand new seating assignment. He's now back with a whole starting stack, hoping that the third time is the charm, after falling late in yesterday's 1A session. -- WOC

12:29pm: Garrido gets hereLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

Rodrigo Garrido has joined us here initially of Day 1B, increasing both the number and quality of the field.

Hailing from Santa Catarina, Brazil, Garrido is a well-recognized figure at the LAPT, particularly when it stops in Brazil where he's cashed in Main Events on multiple occasions. He's also a celebrity of the Brazilian Series of Poker where he's one of the most tour's all time top performers, winning the BSOP Player of the Year in 2014. He's also an apprehension online, where as "rportaleoni" he's won numerous titles including the Sunday Million (also during 2014).

We'll add the Brazilian to our list of "ones to look at" here on Day 1B. --MH

Rodrigo Garrido-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7055.jpg

Rodrigo-go-go

12:18pm: Early action chips up Rodrigo CellaLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

Yesterday's Day 1A flight got off to a slow start with regards to action but that is not the case today. A central table already saw it's first all-in and double up, with Rodrigo Cella quickly increasing his stack against Diego Justo. Action was picked up with Justo opening to 225 the cutoff on the five-handed table, with Cella three-betting to 875 from the button.

Javier Zaldo was within the small blind and after some thought, he called, only to look Justo four-bet to 2,325 when it got back to him. Both Cella and Zaldo called to peer the K♥T♣5♥ flop and after the small blind checked, the pre flop aggressor bet 3,300.

Cella called shortly and Zaldo released his hand to send two players to the turn. The 7♥ fell and Justo kept his lead within the hand, with a chance of 4,000. Cella didn't waste any time throwing out two blue 5,000 value chips, verbalizing his raise of "9,000". Justo called the raise after which checked after the Q♠ completed the board.

Cella installed his final 3,825, meaning he was all-in within the first dozen minutes of Level 1. With such a lot within the pot already, Justo couldn't bring himself to fold, calling only to be shown the nuts. Cella tabled A♥9♥ and while he took within the massive early pot, Justo and Zaldo mentioned their holdings. The previous claimed to hit a set, while Zaldo said he held "damas", which might have rivered a set.

Regardless of what the opposite two players held, Cella, is now working double the starting stack with just a quarter of the hole period within the books. Oddly enough, he's seated where Sergio Luis Pego was when he got off to a white hot start in yesterday's Day 1A flight. If only the opposite two players knew that Cella was within the early hot seat. --WOC

12:15pm: Buenos días (again)Level 1: Blinds 50/100

There are already 15 tables in action -- most short-handed, some just about full -- that is considerably greater than we saw yesterday firstly of the primary level. While that will present a contrast, there is something familiar about today's start-of-day field as well, as several players who busted on Friday are back again to take another crack at it today.

Jaime Ateneloff, Ricardo Chauriye, Fabian Chauriye, Marco Zevola, and Andres "Cacho" Korn are among those we saw bust yesterday who've returned today. --MH

Andres Korn-LAPT Punta del Este-9 Season-7086.jpg

Welcome back, Cacho!

12:03pm: Shuffle up and dealLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

Players are of their seats and the primary hands of Day 1B are being dealt. The starting stack is 20,000. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE
1 50 100 0

11:20am: Day 1B is close at hand

Welcome back to the Conrad Hotel & Casino, located in Punta del Este where the the second one and final Day 1 flight of the LAPT Uruguay Main Event could be getting underway about 40 minutes from now. 

The Conrad is a pleasing place to return for those visiting this resort destination. Some of the other sights not removed from our location is the famous Monumento al Ahogado, a.k.a. the Monument to the Drowned, located at Brava Beach. Or, because it is more referred to as -- "The Hand."

lamano.jpg

"Come back in somewhat... at the moment I'm in a large hand!"

The Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal created this uncanny work some three decades back, making the four fingers and thumb out of concrete, plastic, metal mesh, and steel reinforcements. It's meant as a warning to swimmers, and positively does give the impression of a last, desperate wave of somebody about to sink below the surface.

Of those popping out for today's Day 1B, some will inevitably see their stacks sink and LAPT title dreams drown, but others will sail on through, riding the waves into tomorrow's Day 2. As was the case yesterday, today's schedule requires 10 one-hour levels, with late registration and unlimited reentries available throughout the beginning of Level 7 -- that is, just after the completion of the 75-minute dinner break a good way to come after Level 6. 

For some time on Friday it looked as if last year's LAPT Uruguay Main Event champion, Mario Lopez, could be bagging up the chip lead at night's end. But his fellow Argentinian Fabian De Le Fuente passed him by before the last level completed, finishing with a number one stack of 176,400 that becomes the objective for Day 1B players to check out to check.  

A total of 59 made it through yesterday's first Day 1 flight out of a field of 176 entries (click here for a glance in any respect Day 1A chip counts). We think a couple of more entries than that today on this $1,500 buy-in event, and can discover together just how big the sector and prize pool might be -- in addition to how much the champion can be getting.  

We'll be here all day and night again with updates, chip counts, photos, and more -- including all of the big hands we will be able to find -- from the Conrad ballroom. Stick close! --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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Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Latin American Poker Tour]

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