6:55pm: Pedro Claus wins LAPT9 Uruguay ($90,630); Fernando Araujo runner-up ($70,000)Level 31: Blinds 60,000/120,000, Ante 20,000
That was quick -- only one hand of heads-up, and it is all over!
Fernando Araujo had the button to start, and after checking his cards he open-pushed his last 1.3 million. Claus -- as he's done all tournament long -- didn't hesitate before acting, calling right away.
Araujo: K♦6♣Claus: Q♠Q♣
Claus had the large edge while Araujo was in search of a saving king. The board came T♠7♦6♠, then 7♣, then 8♥ and it was all over the place -- Claus had won!
Pedro Claus - LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event champion
Claus and Araujo shared a warm handshake, both smiling broadly as they'd been doing for far of the last hour or so. Araujo was clearly pleased after having been the fast stack for therefore long today to have made it to the three-way deal and a runner-up finish.
Fernando Araujo - 2nd place
Back in a couple of with an entire recap of the exciting conclusion to LAPT9 Uruguay! --MH
6:54pm: Heads-up chip countsLevel 31: Blinds 60,000/120,000, Ante 20,000
Pedro Claus -- 7,460,000Fernando Araujo -- 1,300,000
6:49pm: Manuel Vuotto eliminated in third place ($70,000)Level 31: Blinds 60,000/120,000, Ante 20,000
Pedro Claus opened for 275,000 at the button, and it folded over to Manuel Vuotto within the big blind who carefully checked his cards, then announced he was pushing all-in for his last 1.06 million. Claus called without hesitation.
Vuotto had Q♠9♠ and needed help against the K♦9♥ of Claus. However the flop came K♣7♦3♦ to enhance Claus even further with a pair, and after the 6♥ turn card that made the 2♥ a last little bit of trivia, ending Vuotto's run in third.
They're rolling straight into heads-up play, with Claus enjoying a commanding result in start versus Fernando Araujo. --MH
Manuel Vuotto - 3rd place
6:43pm: Araujo doubles through VuottoLevel 31: Blinds 60,000/120,000, Ante 20,000
Down to his last 795,000, Fernando Araujo open-raised all-in from the small blind, and after a brief think Manuel Vuotto called from the massive blind.
Vuotto was initially ahead with A♥5♦ versus Araujo's J♠8♥, however the board came 2♦T♦8♦7♥7♣ to provide Araujo the double.
Araujo is as much as 1.61 million now while Vuotto slips to 940,000. --MH
Araujo earns a double
6:40pm: Updated three-handed counts, Claus way out in frontLevel 31: Blinds 60,000/120,000, Ante 20,000
Instead of a 75-minute dinner break, the remainder three players have elected to take a snappy ten minute recess. They'll now return to Level 31, with Pedro Claus holding a large chip lead.
The Argentine is behind just over 6,000,000, together with his countryman Manuel Vuotto sitting second. He's over 4,000,000 behind Claus, while Fernando Araujo must battle back again to assert the LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event title, as he's under seven-figures. -- WOC
| PEDRO DANIEL CLAUS | ARGENTINA | 6,080,000 |
| MANUEL VUOTTO | ARGENTINA | 1,610,000 |
| FERNANDO ARAÚJO | BRAZIL | 970,000 |
| 31 | 60,000 | 120,000 | 20,000 |
6:34pm: Claus continues to construct into breakLevel 30: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
While there could have been a couple of bumps within the road once we were stuck at a six-handed final table, ever since, Pedro Claus was on the top of the leaderboard ever since. He's now sitting with over 50% of the whole chips in play, after picking up a tight pot against Manuel Vuotto.
Action was picked up with Claus opening the button to 225,000 and after a fold, Vuotto came along within the big blind. He check-called 320,000 after the Q♣T♠7♣ flop and after the 2♦ fell at the turn, Vuotto led for 350,000.
Quickly, Claus announced himself "all-in" and with just over 1,600,000 behind, Vuotto was put to a choice for his entire stack. Eventually, he folded and Claus showed him T♣T♥ for a flopped set.
No matter what situation Claus has found himself in, he's always gave the impression to have it and he'll now head into the following break with just shy of 5,600,000. A WHOLE list of the rest three counts is coming shortly. -- WOC
6:26pm: Araujo picks up one; Claus still leadsLevel 30: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
Fernando Araujo raised to 225,000 from the button and Pedro Claus called from the small blind.
The flop came A♣2♥J♠ and Claus checked. Araujo continued for 200,000, and Claus called. Both then checked the 6♠ turn.
The river brought the A♦ and another check from Claus, and when Araujo slid out two tall columns of blue chips -- a raffle of 500,000 -- Claus folded.
Araujo wins that one, but Claus is comfortably in front with a bit over 4 million right now, with Araujo next with 2.5 million and Vuotto third with about 2.2 million. --MH
6:19pm: Final table funLevel 30: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
We're sensing a theme here following the even-chop deal, because the trio continue to get along famously, with Pedro Claus and Fernando Araujo joking around so much on their side of the table.
Both just checked their option to a river, then showed down the similar queen-eight hand to cut a pot, sharing fun afterwards.
Another hand between them followed, also checked to the river. Accordingly Claus started checking by knocking the table five times -- knock, knock, knock-knock-knock -- and Araujo responded by completing the musical phrase with two knocks -- knock, knock! --MH
6:11pm: Araujo gets back to 2,000,000Level 30: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
After dropping for the reason that last break, Fernando Araujo is back to 2,000,000 after shoving against Manuel Vuotto. Action was picked up pre flop, with Araujo limping the small blind, only to peer Vuotto raise to 340,000 from the big.
The Brazilian quickly announced himself "all-in" and after two minutes of thought, Vuotto elected to not call the 1,700,000 chip shove. Instead, he preserved his 2,600,000 chip stack, good for second on the three-handed final table. -- WOC
5:58pm: Claus accumulating at 'friendly table'Level 30: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
While PokerStars Blog photographer extraordinaire Carlos Monti was circling the three-handed final table, Ferndando Araujo said, "Otro mas.", meaning that he only wanted yet one more picture, that being with the LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event trophy. Monti laughed and made mention about how "friendly" the remainder three were despite the stakes they were playing for.
Once Monti exited the tournament area, the friendliness stayed however the leaderboard shifted back to Pedro Claus, who picked up three sizable pots against Araujo. The primary was picked up with Claus calling the small blind and Araujo raising to 225,000.
Claus called after which checked the K♦J♠6♦ flop, only to check-raise after Araujo continued for 200,000. Claus made it 540,000 and Araujo let his hand go. Claus showed J♦7♦, for middle pair and a flush draw, and Araujo admitted it was an even" flop."
It got better for Claus, as a couple of hands later, he was winning another battle of the blinds. Claus raised to 225,000 from the small and Araujo came along from the large to look the Q♠8♣4♠ flop.
Claus check-called 200,000 after which both players checked the 9♠ at the turn. The 4♣ completed the board and both players checked again, with Claus' Q♠J♠ winning the pot.
He wasn't done though, as another blind versus blind encounter shot him to a large chip lead. The pre flop action was missed but both players checked the Q♥9♦8♣ flop, with Claus leading for 225,000 after the 9♣ paired the board at the turn.
Araujo called and after the 8♠ double paired the board at the end, Claus slid out 490,000. Araujo couldn't believe the runout, as he flashed J♦T♣ before going into the tank. The friendly Claus didn't flinch though, instead giggling at how unlucky his opponent had gotten...again.
Pedro Claus, friendly chip leader
Claus was the thorn in Fernando Araujo's side for the reason that start of this final table and while he didn't get a decision at the river, because the Brazilian folded, he had gotten there again. He showed 9♠5♠ and Araujo was reduce to 1,700,000, while Claus is now the large stack with 3,800,000. -- WOC
5:49pm: Back in actionLevel 30: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
The final trio is back of their seats and battling for the extra $20,630 and the LAPT Main Event trophy. --MH
5:40pm: Quick breakLevel 30: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
After playing a couple of hands post-deal, the players decided to take a brief mid-level break. Within the few, small hands that preceded the break, they really pulled nearly inspite of each other within the counts -- fitting after that even chop. --MH
| PEDRO DANIEL CLAUS | ARGENTINA | 2,975,000 |
| MANUEL VUOTTO | ARGENTINA | 2,905,000 |
| FERNANDO ARAÚJO | BRAZIL | 2,800,000 |
5:23pm: Three-way deal!Level 30: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
Right after Sergio De Benedictis's knockout in fourth culminated Level 29, the clock ticked over to start out Level 30 before being paused to ensure that the overall three players to discuss a potential deal.
At the time Fernando Araujo had the lead with a little over 3.6 million, Pedro Claus was next with 2.775 million, and Manuel Vuotto third with about 2.35 million.
It was one of the vital amiable deal discussions we've seen, in fact, with the 3 players eyeing each others' stacks quickly, then very quickly opting for a fair three-way chop of a few of the remaining prize pool -- $70,000 to every player, with $20,630 left aside for the winner.
The whole process took only a few minutes -- less time than it took to get an image of the 3 afterwards, in truth -- and play has already resumed. --MH
The three amigos, post-deal
| 30 | 50,000 | 100,000 | 10,000 |
5:15pm: Sergio De Benedictis eliminated in 4th place ($39,700)Level 29: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
A small double wasn't enough to get Sergio De Benedictis out of the risk zone so while Martin Harris typed that hand up, we prepared for either the best comeback of all-time or another bust out. While it took us a couple of hands to get there, De Benedictis eventually bowed out in 4th place, along with his first involvement dropping him even lower.
Action was picked up with Fernando Araujo opening to 180,000 from the cutoff and with only a handful of huge blinds in front of him, De Benedictis called at the button. The blinds folded and after the A♣K♥8♥ flop, Araujo bet 125,000.
De Benedictis had just 200,000 back and after a minute of thought, he folded, leaving himself under three bigs. Araujo showed the K♣ and De Benedictis was left in a kind of must call situation a couple of hands later.
He was within the big blind, with just 90,000 behind his 80,000 big blind. Fernando Araujo shoved the small blind and De Benedictis called, needing his K♣2♣ to carry against T♠9♥ to double.
De Benedictis did, because the 8♠6♦4♥4♦6♥ runout gave him just a little extra space to work. He was up near 400,000 but those chips got in at the very next hand, after Araujo continued to punish the table with another raise from the button.
The Argentine three-bet shoved the small blind for 370,000 and after his 180,000 chip open, Araujo flicked in a chip for the decision. He held A♥T♥ to the fast stack's K♦Q♥.
The K♥Q♠2♦ flop shot De Benedictis into the lead however the 2♣ gave Araujo some additional outs at the turn. The Brazilian didn't use an ace at the river to attain the knockout though, instead spiking the J♦ to make broadway to send De Benedictis out one spot from the podium.
When the dust settled, the remainder three players, who were all relatively closely stacked, took a couple of minutes to discuss a possible deal. -- WOC
Sergio De Benedictis - 4th place
4:59pm: De Benedictis earns small doubleLevel 29: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
One hand once you have crippled in that preflop all-in with Fernando Araujo, De Benedictis open-pushed his last 220,000 with J♠J♣ and was called by Pedro Claus within the big blind with Q♥7♥.
The K♦Q♣4♠ flop caused De Benedictis to wince again on the sight of a queen at the flop, however the J♥ happily popped out at the turn to position him in front and make the river regardless of. De Benedictis is back to 500,000 now but still within the danger zone. --MH
4:55pm: Araujo doubles through De Benedictis to snatch leadLevel 29: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
In the very next hand after Nicolas Pernigotti's elimination, Fernando Aruajo opened for 180,000 from the button, then Sergio De Benedictis three-bet to 380,000 from the small blind. It folded back to Araujo who didn't wait long before announcing he was reraising all-in, and De Benedictis -- who only had Araujo slightly covered -- called right away.
Araujo: A♣Q♦De Benedictis: A♠J♦
The flop came 2♥J♠Q♣, prompting an pained "ooh" from De Benedictis as he saw his jack pair but Araujo also catching a queen. The turn was the 2♠ and river the K♠, and after the counting was done Araujo is correct at 3 million now and within the chip lead while De Benedictis has slipped to simply 230,000. --MH
4:48pm: Nicolas Pernigotti eliminated in 5th place ($31,160)Level 29: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
Nicolas Pernigotti - 5th place
Despite his persistence, Nicolas Pernigotti had a potentially impossible route back into contention at this final table. He got one double but if he tried to get a second, he bumped into Sergio De Benedictis, who sent Pernigotti packing in 5th place.
Action was picked up with Pernigotti open shoving from middle position for 300,000 even. The table folded to De Benedictis, who was within the big blind, and he snap called to take a look at to attain the knockout.
He had the fast stack dominated, holding A♥T♠ to Q♦T♥. Pernigotti needed running cards to avoid wasting his tournament life after the A♣9♣7♠ flop and there has been somewhat sweat after the 8♥ fell at the turn.
That's all it was though, a sweat, because the 4♠ completed the board and confirmed his elimination. While he headed to the payout desk to gather his over $31,000 score, De Benedictis was stacking up just over 1,600,000, -- WOC
4:39pm: Pernigotti, the persistentLevel 29: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
Nicolas Pernigotti have been getting ready to elimination for some time now, but he continues managing to maintain his seat.
Not way back he was within the big blind and folding to a raise, leaving himself with just 275,000. At the next hand it folded to him within the small blind, and as he saw Pedro Claus within the big blind holding out chips in preparation to name if he shoved, he folded his 4-2 offsuit face up.
Three folds later Pernigotti was within the big blind again, and this time called all-in versus Claus's open from UTG. He turned over A♣6♦, then cried out with a smile as he saw Claus's A♦6♠. Five cards later, they chopped.
Next Pernigotti was at the button and raising all-in for his last 180,000 with A♠9♣ and got called by Fernando Araujo who had A♦3♠ within the big blind. The board came 6♥J♠9♦4♣3♦, pairing both players' kickers, and Pernigotti continues to be alive though with not up to 400,000. --MH
4:28pm: Ruben Barros eliminated in 6th place ($24,400)Level 29: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
Despite getting back from break in the course of the pack, Ruben Barros was just bounced in 6th place, after started the extent losing a good element of his chips to Pedro Claus. A COUPLE OF hands later, Claus came back to take the remainder of his opponent's stack, with the primary hand picked up pre flop.
Barros opened the small unaware of 165,000 and Claus called within the big to look the A♥8♥3♠ flop. Barros led for 180,000, only to peer the massive stacked Claus raise to 425,000. Barros shot his opponent a glance and finally folded.
He was disappointed to lose chips and drop down near 575,000 but after he saw Claus' A♠8♦, for 2 pair, it's worthwhile to tell he had just avoided a disastrous situation. A COUPLE OF hands later, disaster did come though, by the hands of Claus.
Ruben Barros - 6th place
Barros open shoved for on the subject of 550,000 from early position and Claus immediately called. The remainder of the table folded and Barros was drawing to only three immediate outs with A♣8♦. He was against Q♥Q♦ and after the 9♦4♦2♦3♣9♣ runout, he was eliminated.
He'll make just over $24,000 for his final table run, finishing two spots better than his 8th place run in last year's LAPT8 Uruguay Main Event. Meanwhile, Pedro Claus is back to the highest of the charts, with with reference to 2,800,000. -- WOC
4:17pm: Play resumes; 6 remain (still)Level 29: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
All six players made it through those last two one-hour levels, with Manuel Vuotto the brand new leader and Fernando Araujo having climbed up into second position now. Listed below are the updated counts:
| MANUEL VUOTTO | ARGENTINA | 2,295,000 |
| FERNANDO ARAÚJO | BRAZIL | 2,065,000 |
| PEDRO DANIEL CLAUS | ARGENTINA | 1,990,000 |
| RUBEN BARROS | ARGENTINA | 950,000 |
| SERGIO DE BENEDICTIS | ARGENTINA | 770,000 |
| NICOLAS PERNIGOTTI | ARGENTINA | 415,000 |
Six-handed play continues
They'll play a pair more levels and may take a brief dinner break afterwards -- whoever is left, anyway. --MH
| 29 | 40,000 | 80,000 | 10,000 |
4:02pm: Take a break
Players are actually 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.4:01pm: Araujo takes a large chunk from PernigottiLevel 28: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
In the last hand of the level, from middle position Fernando Arauja opened for 130,000 and Nicolas Pernigotti called from the small blind.
The flop came J♣9♥2♥ and both players checked. The turn then brought the 2♣ and bet of 175,000 from Pernigotti which Araujo called.
The river was the T♠. Pernigotti checked, and after hesitating a moment Araujo bet 380,000. Pernigotti thought for some time -- a minute or so into the break -- before finally calling, and Araujo turned over K♥Q♥ for a rivered straight. Pernigotti showed his hand with some disgust -- A♠J♠ -- and quickly left to get some fresh air and clear his head from that one.
Araujo heads into the break with 2.065 million now, having bounced the entire long ago from short-stacked status. Meanwhile short-stacked is what Pernigotti is now with just 415,000. --MH
3:58pm: Anyone keeping track at home?Level 28: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
It looks like the last two levels has been stuffed with shoves, shoves and more shoves, with only a few calls or even fewer pots that experience made their approach to the river with meaningful action.
That trend has continued to the tip of Level 28, as Nicolas Pernigotti just three-bet shoved from the cutoff, after Manuel Vuotto opened within the hijack. The open was sized at 140,000 and Pernigotti's shove checked in at 750,000.
There could be no Argentine on Argentine battle though, as Vuotto folded, after with reference to two minutes of thought. We're now only a few minutes from the top of the period and another break. -- WOC
3:50pm: Claus pushes Pernigotti off handLevel 28: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
We haven't been mentioning Nicolas Pernigotti much until lately today, but we've got another hand to report involving him already.
In this one Pernigotti opened for 135,000 from the button, then Pedro Claus reraised enough to place Pernigotti all-in. The latter thought some time then folded, and now sits with about 740,000. Claus meanwhile is as much as 1.85 million. --MH
3:46pm: Ace-king finally doubles AraujoLevel 28: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
Fernando Araujo has shoved a nearly countless amount of times during the last two levels and he finally got looked up. The Brazilian moved all-in for 550,000, from the large blind, over top of Sergio De Benedictis' under the gun 140,000 chip open.
De Benedictis called and Araujo was in an excellent spot to double, with A♠K♥ to A♥T♦. The A♦J♠9♥Q♥5♥ runout kept big slick ahead and when the dust settled, Araujo was over 1,000,000 for the primary time in recent memory. De Benedictis is dangerously with reference to that quantity to boot. -- WOC
3:38pm: Pernigotti joins the 'pushing party'Level 28: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
After not involving himself much over the past few orbits, Nicolas Pernigotti found himself just over the 10 big blind mark. He then joined the pushing party which was previously a one-man Brazilian show.
Pernigotti moved all-in for 720,000 from under the gun and that shove got through, with another working a couple of hands later to transport him just over seven-figures. In between, Fernando Araujo successfully shoved, to maintain himself near ten bigs. -- WOC
Pernigotti persisting
3:29pm: Another shove from AraujoLevel 28: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
If we were working smarter, not harder, we'd have likely just found a template for the "Arajuo shoves again" posts. Every situation is different though, kind of, and we are not within the business of copying and pasting.
Araujo have been within the business of playing Route 1 poker though, as he's roughly had one play over the past few orbits. Despite his numerous shoves, he's yet to get looked up and this time, he forced folds with a 420,000 chip shove.
That moves him up with reference to 600,000, that is still only ten big blinds. -- WOC
3:21pm: Barros bounds upwardsLevel 28: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
Ruben Barros has quickly improved his situation after winning two hands in a row, bluffing both times.
The first saw him playing a comparatively small pot with Fernando Araujo, pushing the latter off a hand with a river bet after which showing ace-high afterwards. That knocked Araujo go into reverse to 450,000.
In the following one Barros opened for 125,000 from the cutoff, Sergio De Benedictis called from the massive blind, and the flop came J♦5♥Q♦. Both checked, then after the 7♥ turn De Benedictis bet 125,000, Barros shoved, and De Benedictis folded.
Barros showed his hand -- 9♥8♥ -- and picked up the chips. Call that one a semi-bluff.
Barros is now up around 1.95 million, while De Benedictis has 1.7 million. --MH
Barros keeps barreling
3:10pm: Vuotto vaults aheadLevel 28: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
Sergio De Benedictis put out a raise to 115,000 from the button, then was told he needed to raise to no less than 120,000 here in Level 28. Only Manuel Vuotto then called the raise from the small blind, and the flop came 6♣8♠5♥.
De Benedictis checked, Vuotto bet 200,000, and De Benedictis folded. After some prodding, Vuotto showed his hand -- 6♦6♥ -- and picked up the pot.
Vuotto has now pulled ahead into the chip lead with 2.55 million, while De Benedictis has 1.9 million. --MH
Vuotto takes over lead
| 28 | 30,000 | 60,000 | 10,000 |
3:06pm: Three in a row for AraujoLevel 27: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
Through the general short while of Level 27, Fernando Araujo moved all-in 3 times and while he didn't get looked up on any occasion, he's now entering the following period over the 10 big blind mark.
The first move saw Araujo shove for 395,000. The remainder of the table folded and that moved Araujo near a half-million. A COUPLE OF hands later, he was all-in again, this time from the large blind.
Nicolas Pernigotti opened the cutoff to 110,000 and Araujo's shove weighed in at 485,000. Pernigotti couldn't bring himself to call, conceding the pot to his Brazilian counterpart.
The very next hand, Araujo shoved the small blind and Sergio De Benedictis folded within the big, pushing the Brazilian as much as 820,000. That's his highest peak since coming back from the last break and he'll now head into the following period with a workable 14 big blind stack. -- WOC
2:53pm: De Benedictis back in frontLevel 27: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
Pedro Claus opened for 140,000 from middle position and it folded to Sergio De Benedictis who called from the small blind, and after just a little thought Manuel Vuotto folded from the BB.
The flop came 4♣2♣Q♠. Claus bet 195,000 and De Benedictis called. Both then checked the 2♠ turn, then after the 5♦ completed the board, Claus checked again. De Benedictis took the hole to bet 325,000, and after considering things a short time Claus folded.
The big stacks continue their battling, with De Benedictis now leading over again with 2.18 million and Claus close with 2.08 million. --MH
2:47pm: Araujo all-in (again)Level 27: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
Fernando Araujo just open-raised all-in again along with his short stack from the small blind, Sergio De Benedictis gave up the large blind, and Araujo showed one card -- the A♥ -- and picked up the pot.
The Brazilian remains the fast stack, though, with just 375,000. --MH
Araujo looking to climb back
2:43pm: Araujo gets one throughLevel 27: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
We go from the 2 big stacks to the opposite end of the spectrum, as Brazil's Fernando Araujo continues to be the fast stack. He just got a shove through, moving all-in for with reference to seven big blinds from middle position.
That bumped him as much as 450,000 but when he'll come again into contention at this final table, he'll likely wish to get a double to take action. Because it stands, he's the one player below ten big blinds, with Ruben Barros sitting because the other player under 1,000,000. -- WOC
2:34pm: Claus takes the chip lead backLevel 27: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
The big stacks have continued to battle towards the midway point of Level 27. Sergio De Benedictis just took the chip lead however it was only momentarily, as Pedro Claus took it right back way to a timely river.
Action was picked up with De Benedictis opening to 115,000 from under the gun and after some folds, Claus called within the small blind. Both players checked the A♣K♦J♠ flop, with both tapping the table for a second time after the 8♣ fell at the turn.
The 4♥ completed the board and Claus led for 150,000, a wager that De Benedictis snap called. Claus tabled 4♣4♠, for a rivered set and De Benedictis shot from his chair before sending his hand into the muck.
He was visibly frustrated with how he played the hand, tapping himself at the head for maybe not thinking, a continuation of our recent theme. He's still well stacked with 1,700,000 however the chip lead is now back in Claus' corner, as he's working 2,400,000. -- WOC
2:21pm: De Benedictis grabs pot, chip lead from ClausLevel 27: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
Just after that short conversation about thinking (see just below), Pedro Claus had so much to consider within the very next hand versus Sergio De Benedictis.
After Claus opened for 130,000 from the hijack seat, De Benedictis called from the button and the flop came 5♦9♣6♦. Claus quickly continued for an additional 130,000, and De Benedictis called.
The turn brought the K♦, and Claus checked this time. De Benedictis then fired 160,000, or even before the chips have been set forward Claus had called.
The river was the K♠. Claus led for 280,000 this time, again acting without hesitating, and De Benedictis didn't wait too long either before jamming with an all-in raise to 680,000.
Now Claus needed to stop and think. He took a few minute-and-a-half, then finally let his hand go, and De Benedictis earned the massive pot.
De Benedictis moves up into the chip lead on that one, in fact, nudging just up over 2 million while Claus slips to 1.95 million. --MH
Sergio surges ahead
2:16pm: Playing vs. thinkingLevel 27: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
Ruben Barros opened for 150,000 from middle position and it folded around to Manuel Vuotto within the big blind. As was his custom, he took a short time to consider what to do -- not inordinately long, but a little bit longer than the others was tanking.
Barros joked with Vuotto a bit of about taking his time, to which Vuotto responded with a smile. "Don't you guys think?" he asked (in Spanish). Chip leader Pedro Claus had an answer.
"I should not have to think," he said. "I see the cards, and that i play!"
That earned some chuckles throughout as Vuotto folded. And perhaps a little bit something to consider going forward. --MH
2:10pm: Brazil can't catch a breakLevel 27: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
It seems as if nearly all of time we're mentioning Fernando Araujo, he was at the losing end of the pot. He just took another hit, this time against Sergio De Benedictis.
Action was picked up with Araujo completing the small blind and the Argentine checking his option within the big. The Q♦8♣5♦ flop brought a check and of venture of 50,000 from De Benedictis. Araujo came along and the similar pattern of betting played out after the K♥ fell at the turn, with the wager sized at 125,000.
The J♥ completed the board and both players checked, with De Benedictis tabling Q♣3♣ for 2 pair. Araujo had Q♠5♠ and again, he was shipping some chips. He's now down near 575,000, that is just over ten big blinds, while De Benedictis is operating 1,150,000. -- WOC
2pm: Play resumes; 6 remainLevel 27: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
The remaining six players back and Level 27 is underway. They've colored up the chips one last time, eliminating the yellow 1,000 chips, and a fresh count reaffirms Pedro Claus's lead. He's 1.1 million away from nearest challengers Manuel Votto and Nicolas Pernigotti, with the opposite three players a little behind. Listed below are the stacks to start the brand new level:
| PEDRO DANIEL CLAUS | ARGENTINA | 2,760,000 |
| MANUEL VUOTTO | ARGENTINA | 1,660,000 |
| NICOLAS PERNIGOTTI | ARGENTINA | 1,645,000 |
| SERGIO DE BENEDICTIS | ARGENTINA | 1,020,000 |
| FERNANDO ARAÚJO | BRAZIL | 860,000 |
| RUBEN BARROS | ARGENTINA | 720,000 |
No one's been in a position to pry chips from Pedro's Claus
| 27 | 25,000 | 50,000 | 5,000 |
1:44pm: First break of the dayLevel 26: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
We've played to the primary break of the day and the remainder six final table players at the moment are on a snappy 15-minute recess. Counts once we return. -- WOC
Ready to embark by yourself poker adventure? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.1:38pm: Pernigotti picks one up before period endsLevel 26: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
The last ten minutes of Level 26 played out with little to no action however the period did end with Nicolas Pernigotti picking up a good pot against Manuel Vuotto.
Vuotto opened the cutoff to 85,000 and after some thought, Pernigotti three-bet to 230,000 from the button. The blinds folded and after the deliberate Vuotto thought for just about a minute and a half, he flashed A♦J♠.
As he sent his hand into the muck, Pernigotti showed the A♣. We do not know what his kicker was but he was taking within the pot before all the table exited the tournament area on their first break of the day.
A complete list of the rest counts may be posted shortly. -- WOC
1:28pm: De Benedictis three-bets, collectsLevel 26: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
Ruben Barros opened for 105,000 from the hijack seat and after taking a gander at what Barros had behind, Fernando Araujo called the raise from the cutoff.
It folded to Sergio De Benedictis within the small blind who took his time acting. After as regards to a minute of thought, he announced a reraise and pushed out columns representing 330,000.
It folded back to Barros who paused a few beats before folding, and Araujo stepped aside as well.
All three of the players curious about the hand are close at the present time -- De Benedictis moves as much as 990,000 after that one, Araujo sits behind 950,000, and Barros is playing 935,000. --MH
1:27pm: Claus clips Araujo at the river, againLevel 26: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
With two short stacks down, lets see some more tactical play from the remainder of this final table. Pedro Claus and Fernando Araujo battled earlier, with the previous clipping the Brazilian at the river and he just did so again to transport near 2,500,000.
Action was picked up with Claus opening to 102,000 from the small blind, with Araujo calling within the big. The A♦9♠7♠ brought a gamble of 110,000 from Claus and Araujo called to look the 7♣ pair the board at the turn.
Both players checked they usually did the similar after the 8♦ fell at the river. Claus tabled 8♣6♠ and Araujo cringed, showing 5♣5♠. Again, he was good until the river but more importantly, he again only lost the minimum.
He's still over 1,000,000, that's good for over 20 big blinds, while Claus increases his chip lead at the remaining lineup. -- WOC
1:19pm: Cristian Andres Rotondo eliminated in 7th place ($18,340)Level 26: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
The first time Cristian Andres Rotondo and Nicolas Pernigotti got focused on a pot, the 2 chopped it up with the similar hand. The second, Rotondo was not as fortunate, as he shoved 230,000 from middle position and was dominated once Pernigotti called from the small blind.
The short stack held K♠8♦ to Pernigotti's K♥Q♥ and after the Q♠J♠9♥ flop, Rotondo's best chance of survival was another chop. The 7♣ didn't assistance on the turn and after the 9♠ paired the board at the river, he was eliminated in 7th place.
He'll make slightly below $18,500 for his final table run and Nicolas Pernigotti now looks as if he's third in chips (behind leader Pedro Claus and Manuel Vuotto) with nearly 1,400,000. -- WOC
Cristian Andres Rotondo - 7th place
1:11pm: Claus, Vuotto add to important stacksLevel 26: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
The two hands following Marco Oliveira's elimination in eighth place saw Marco Vuotto raise and take one from under the gun, then Pedro Claus do the similar from middle position.
Both have big stacks relative to the opposite five, with Claus still leading with 2.31 million and Vuotto in second position with 1.75 million. --MH
1:03pm: Marco Oliveira eliminated in 8th place ($13,040)Level 26: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
Marco Oliveira open-raised all-in for his last 404,000 and it folded around to Ruben Barros within the cutoff who reraised all-in excessive. Everyone else stepped aside, and after Oliveira showed his 2♠2♥ he saw he was well behind the K♦K♥ of Barros.
The board ran out a run of the mill 9♦A♠8♣Q♥T♠, and Oliveira is out in eighth, leaving only Fernando Araujo to symbolize Brazil going further versus the six Argentinians.
Barros is up around 1.05 million now. --MH
Marco Oliveira - 8th place
12:54pm: Double chop for RotondoLevel 26: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
Short stack Cristian Andres Rotondo moved all-in early and located no callers but in back to back hands, he shoved and needed to accept a chop on both occasions. The primary saw Rotondo move all-in fro 268,000 from middle position and after Nicolas Pernigotti called within the small blind, both players tabled variants of ace-ten.
The rainbow board meant that every took back their bets and half the blinds and antes but at the next hand, Rotondo was in better shape for a double. He moved in for just below 290,000 and after Pedro Claus called within the big, he tabled Q♥Q♣.
Claus held A♣9♥ and after the 9♦8♣7♠T♣6♣ runout, Rotondo saw the river keep him from increasing his stack. He's still below the 10 big blind mark, while Claus still holds the chip lead because the only player over 2,000,000. -- WOC
| 26 | 20,000 | 40,000 | 5,000 |
12:51pm: Araujo minimizes his lossesLevel 25: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 4,000
It's taken the simpler a part of the primary level however the top two stacks entering this final table just got involved for the primary time. Chip leader Pedro Claus opened to 78,000 from middle position and Fernando Araujo, the following player to act, called.
The remainder of the table folded and both players checked the J♥7♣6♣ flop, with Claus checking the J♦ turn in addition. Araujo bet 80,000 and Claus quickly came along, with both players checking the A♦ after it completed the board.
Claus tabled A♥K♦ and Araujo shook his head, before showing Q♣Q♠. It was a minimal loss for the Brazilian and if these two players had played the hand differently, it might was a bigger loss for Araujo. Instead, he played his pocket pair cautiously and continues to be very comfortably near 1,300,000.
The chip leader gets back to where he started the day, with Claus playing 2,200,000. -- WOC
12:43pm: Vuotto chips upLevel 25: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 4,000
The pace of play was very deliberate within the early going. Living proof -- the next hand only reached the turn, though took around eight minutes to complete.
It began with Manuel Vuotto limping in from under the gun, then Ruben Barros raised to 73,000 from middle position. It folded to Sergio De Benedictis within the big blind who called, and the trio saw the flop come 9♠2♥5♣.
Action checked to Barros who continued for 130,000, and only Vuotto called. The turn then brought the 3♦ and a number one bet of 152,000 from Vuotto, and after some thought Barros stepped aside.
You read that during only a few seconds, but as we are saying mentally add in long stretches in between each action for an entire picture.
Vuotto chips as much as about 1.64 million with that pot, while Barros now has 725,000. --MH
12:25pm: One orbit, one flopLevel 25: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 4,000
This final table has gotten off to a slow start, with the hand between Pedro Claus and Sergio De Benedictis the one one going to a flop during the first orbit. There was some pre flop battling though, including a shove from short stack Cristian Andres Rotondo.
He moved in from middle position, for 263,000 and compelled the table to fold, picking up the blinds and antes. There have also been a couple of three-bets as well, none of that have been called to look further action.
While we have not seen that much action throughout the first 20 minutes of play, we imagine that after the overall table gets comfortable, we'll see some pots develop. -- WOC
12:16pm: De Benedictis draws first bloodLevel 25: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 4,000
After two raise and takes from Nicolas Pernigotti, the general table saw their first hand visit the flop between Pedro Claus and Sergio De Benedictis. The chip leader opened to 69,000 from middle position and De Benedictis called out of the small blind.
Manuel Vuotto thought for a couple of moments within the big before releasing his hand, sending two players to the Q♦7♠6♦ flop. De Benedictis checked, to peer Claus continue for 75,000.
De Benedictis then min-check-raised, clicking it back to 150,000. Claus called and after the K♣ fell at the turn, De Benedictis announced himself "all-in". The shove was for just over 515,000 and after a handy guide a rough trip to the tank, Claus folded.
De Benedictis took within the pot, drawing first blood at this final table to transport up near the 950,000 chip mark. Claus take a small hit to drop near 2,000,000. -- WOC
12:08pm: Final table underway!Level 25: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 4,000
Players are all here, the preliminaries are done, and the primary hand of the LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event is being dealt. Listed below are those seating assignments and stacks again as play kicks off:
Seat 1: Manuel Vuotto (Argentina) -- 1,416,100Seat 2: Nicolas Pernigotti (Argentina) -- 1,043,000Seat 3: Ruben Barros (Argentina) -- 866,000Seat 4: Pedro Claus (Argentina) -- 2,230,000Seat 5: Fernando Araujo (Brazil) -- 1,490,000Seat 6: Cristian Andres Rotondo (Argentina) -- 294,000Seat 7: Marco Oliveira (Brazil) -- 562,000Seat 8: Sergio De Benedictis (Argentina) -- 772,000
Ready to battle!
And a reminder of what they're playing for:
1st: $110,870 2nd: $69,740 3rd: $50,020 4th: $39,720 5th: $31,160 6th: $24,400 7th: $18,340 8th: $13,040
There are almost 35 minutes left in Level 25. --MH
| 25 | 15,000 | 30,000 | 4,000 |
11:30am: Final table player profiles
From the 438 entries into this LAPT Uruguay Main Event just eight are left with a possibility to win the title and $110,870 first prize. With a couple of half-hour to head until the primary final table hand gets dealt, take a little time to get to understand the eight players who remain:
Seat 1: Manuel Vuotto, Argentina -- 1,416,000
If momentum in poker counts for anything, Manuel Vuotto has it. The Argentine, one in all six at this final table, did nothing but climb on Day 3 en path to bagging a top-three stack. While it's his first final table appearance at the LAPT, a good run of results, including a win worth $56,000 at the Codere Poker Tour in Uruguay from this past summer, could mean Vuotto is essentially the most in type of the overall eight.
Seat 2: Nicolas Pernigotti, Argentina -- 1,043,000
Main Events are where Nicolas Pernigotti has done all of his tournament damage during the last two years, because of this while he's also making his first LAPT final table appearance, he has some experience upon which to attract. Pernigotti finished third in a High Roller event on the Circuito Argentino De Poker in Buenos Aires this spring, good for a virtually career best score. He'll attempt to best that finish today, coming back in the course of the pack with just over seven-figures.
Seat 3: Ruben Barros, Argentina -- 866,000
At the top of Day 3, Ruben Barros asked if there have been a distinct prize for making back-to-back final table appearances. Barros finished eighth in last year's LAPT8 Uruguay Main Event, which, oddly enough, may be his only live tournament cash so far. There may not be a different" prize," but Barros does get an opportunity at some redemption, as he looks to best that finish from 2015 today.
Seat 4: Pedro Claus, Argentina -- 2,230,000
Compared to the players on the top of the leaderboard within the previous few days, Pedro Claus has a comparatively modest tournament résumé. He is not a past LAPT champion or reigning Player of the Year, but that might all change inside the following few hours as he'll notch a career best score today. The one question -- can he Claus the finish line sooner than the rest, after entering the general table with a large advantage on the top of the charts?
Seat 5: Fernando Araujo, Brazil -- 1,490,000
One of 2 Brazilians doing battle with the half-dozen Argentinians at today's final table is Fernando Araujo, one of the most more matured players on the final table with greater than 1 / 4 million dollars' worth of tournament cashes over the past six years, including many at the Brazilian Series of Poker and some on the WSOP besides. He'll be looking today to top his career-high score of R$113,000 (about $46K USD) for winning a BSOP High Roller in São Paulo in 2014. He'll also attempt to better his seventh-place finish here within the LAPT4 Uruguay Main Event.
Seat 6: Cristian Andres Rotondo, Argentina -- 294,000
Cristian Andres Rotondo was cashing in LAPT Main Events since Season 3, a part of his success in tournaments during the last half-dozen years. Rotondo also has numerous cashes in South America and the U.S., and most recently made the cash within the European Poker Tour Barcelona Main Event. He's returning to the fast stack today -- beginning with not up to 10 big blinds -- and so might want to spin up his stack early with the intention to further his LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event run.
Seat 7: Marco Oliveira, Brazil -- 562,000
Joining Araujo because the other representative of Brazil at today's final table can be Marco Oliveira, winner of nearly $200K in tournaments since 2010. That is Oliveira's second career LAPT final table as he took eighth at LAPT6 Panama. He's also coming off a minimum of three final tables on the BSOP's Punta del Este series back in June, and so has a large number of recent experience at the main stage within the Conrad's tournament poker room.
Seat 8: Sergio De Benedictis, Argentina -- 772,000
Sergio De Benedictis rounds out our final eight, collector of diverse cashes in his native Argentina in addition to a pair from side events at LAPT6 Chile. His largest career cash came in April of this year at teh Madero Poker Master Cup in Buenos Aires where he won an ARS$8,500 event for a ARS$565,080 first prize worth nearly $40K USD. Making the highest three today will earn him more that, though just like the others he'll have some work to do to catch frontrunner Claus.
The Conrad Hotel & Casino
Ready to embark by yourself poker adventure? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at LAPT9 Uruguay: Will O'Connor and Martin Harris. Photos by Carlos Monti. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog
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