Coming into this LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event, that allows you to be the last official Latin American Poker Tour festival, players and fans alike needed to be wondering if any of the two-time champions could end the series with a record breaking third title. After two starting flights, a type of double winners was atop the leaderboard, as Oscar Alache paced the 155 players who returned for Day 2.
Lopez has looked strong from the start
While Alache ended up recording another LAPT cash, it was another two-time winner that ascended throughout moving day. Mario Lopez started the day within the top-five and he seemingly never fell from that perch, staying within touching distance of the leaders before becoming the primary player to eclipse 500,000 after the bubble burst.
The Argentine peaked over 750,000 but a couple of late speed bumps saw him finish with 572,000, still good to guide the remainder 32 players into Day 3. Brazilian Fernando Araujo is true there with Lopez over a half-million, as he bagged 561,000.
Fabian De La Fuente, who lead through Friday's Day 1A session, was the one other player over 500,000, with Sebastian Ruiz bagging 467,000 way to some post-bubble heat. Matias Ruzzi put 457,000 away for tomorrow's 12 PM restart, to round out the top-five.
Ruzzi's 457,000 rounds out the top-five
Julio Grimau (385,000), Cristian Rotondo (373,000) and Julian Albero (341,000) will come again leading the second one wave, with the always capable Amos Ben (229,000) and Leo Fernandez (129,000) still in contention. The Team PokerStars Pro came back for Day 2 with just ten bigs, so he'll must run it up again if he desires to make his first LAPT final table since claiming victory in Panama during Season 5.
Those are only one of the storylines we'll be following tomorrow, because the PokerStars Blog will bring you the entire Day 3 action starting at 12 PM local time tomorrow. Click here for a whole list of chip counts for the 32 advancing players -- including all 25 Argentinians. You may also see who has cashed where at the prize pool and payouts page.
Until then, relive the entire Day 2 action below. Buenos noches from Uruguay. -- WOC
LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event Day 2 Updates
10:51pm: Schemini sent packing, Day 2 concludesLevel 19: Blinds 4,000/8,000, Ante 1,000
After two quick eliminations to start out Level 19, there has been a brief period of slow play before the general Day 2 knockout. The overall player to bow out of today's session was German Schemini, after he shoved just over 85,000 from under the gun.
Cristian Rotondo called at the button and after the blinds folded, he needed to fade three immediate outs to send Schemini to the rail. Rotondo held Q♦Q♠ and Schemini needed help, as he tabled K♥T♠.
The board ran out T♣5♦3♣8♠J♣ or even though the fast stack paired up at the flop, he couldn't find any assistance on the turn or river. He was eliminated in 33rd place, meaning the remainder 32 players will now bag up their chips for the penultimate Day 3 session.
That will see the sector play all the way down to an eight-handed final table and an entire Day 2 recap, together with a listing of the rest player's chip counts may be posted shortly. -- WOC
10:39pm: Albero takes from LopezLevel 19: Blinds 4,000/8,000, Ante 1,000
We've lost another player -- this time Diego Vizcay in 34th -- meaning there's only one more knockout to move before the night is completed. Mario Lopez gave the impression to be looking to make that happen just now, nevertheless it didn't figure out and consequently Julian Albero was the beneficiary.
After Lopez opened for 16,000 from middle position, it folded to Albero within the big blind who three-bet to 40,000 and Lopez called. The Q♦8♣8♦ flop brought a big gamble of 52,000 from Albero, called by Lopez, then the K♥ turn earned another bet from Albero, this time for 60,000. Lopez thought an entire minute, and called again.
The river was the 8♥, and this time Albero checked. Lopez dug out chips and counted and stacked for a while, but then finally checked behind. Albero showed A♥Q♥ for queens filled with eights, and Lopez mucked.
Albero moves as much as 415,000 after that one, while Lopez now has 580,000. --MH
10:29pm: One down, two to move; everyone chasing LopezLevel 19: Blinds 4,000/8,000, Ante 1,000
In the primary hand of Level 19, Il Suh was eliminated on Table 2 by Pedro Claus in 35th place. That leaves just two knockouts until the tip of Day 2 and many things must get it wrong for Mario Lopez not to carry the chip lead into tomorrow's restart.
Lopez is playing greater than thrice the chip average, with 770,000. That's also good for greater than 300,000 greater than his closest competitor, Brazilian Fernando Araujo.
A complete list of counts may be posted once play concludes but until then, listed below are the counts only some minutes into the brand new period. -- WOC
| Mario Lopez | 770,000 |
| Fernando Araujo | 463,000 |
| Fabian De La Fuente | 434,000 |
| Matias Ruzzi | 430,000 |
| Jacques Blit | 416,000 |
| Sebastian Ruiz | 372,000 |
| Andres Viola | 369,000 |
| Pedro Claus | 351,000 |
| Julio Grimau | 338,000 |
| Juan Parra | 326,000 |
10:24pm: Play resumesLevel 19: Blinds 4,000/8,000, Ante 1,000
The final 35 players are back of their seats and play has resumed. Three more knockouts, and play will conclude for the night. --MH
| 19 | 4,000 | 8,000 | 1,000 |
10:08pm: Final break, three from the bagsLevel 18: Blinds 3,000/6,000, Ante 1,000
This Day 2 session was scheduled to play through Level 20 or until 32 players remained, whichever happened first. After an extended than expected money bubble, it appeared like Level 20 was going to be the tip point but a handy guide a rough flurry of eliminations since dinner has it looking like we'll be done earlier than expected.
As it stands, 35 players remain, meaning this LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event is simply three players from the top of Day 2. Once we get right down to our final four tables, the players will bag up for tonight after which return tomorrow at 12 PM to minimize to an eight-handed final table.
We'll bring you the entire action within the remainder of this present day 2 session, with an inventory of the highest stacks coming shortly. -- WOC
Ready to embark by yourself poker adventure? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.9:56pm: Albero turns Velez to the doorLevel 18: Blinds 3,000/6,000, Ante 1,000
We're now just three players clear of the top of Day 2. Not long after the knockout of Nicolas Malandre Godoy in 37th place, Julian Albero turned a suite to send Rafael Velez out in 36th.
Action was picked up with Albero opening in late position and after Velez shoved for just about ten big blinds, Albero went into the tank.
He had enough chips to name but he can be relatively short if he ended up being incorrect. After some table talk, Albero did call, to look he was flipping. His 3♣3♠ was up against the fast stack's K♦Q♥ and the pair held in the course of the T♣6♦2♦ flop.
The 3♥ came at the turn, leaving Velez drawing dead. The river meaninglessly fell and after receiving a congratulatory handshake from Mario Lopez, Velez headed to the payout desk. Albero isn't going anywhere though, as he's now playing 265,000 with only some minutes remaining in Level 18. -- WOC
9:46pm: Martinez out; 37 remainLevel 18: Blinds 3,000/6,000, Ante 1,000
Federico Roberto was just all-in with A♦Q♣ and had to fade the 8♦7♦ of Rafael Martinez. The board came 5♠A♣8♣A♠J♦, giving Martinez one pair and Roberto two, and Roberto survived albeit remains to be short with 125,000.
Meanwhile the pair were nearly even to begin that hand, which left Martinez with only 2,000 afterwards. 1/2 that went for the ante and the opposite half went within the middle after Fernando Vitola had opened, with Vitola's K♣Q♥ behind Martinez's A♦3♦. However the board came 6♣T♥6♠3♥... K♥, the river king sinking Martinez for good in 38th place. --MH
9:42pm: Bertoldi's better pair counts for naughtLevel 18: Blinds 3,000/6,000, Ante 1,000
Igianne Bertoldi have been short stacked because the bubble burst or even though she got her chips in with a tight advantage, she just hit the rail. Bertoldi open shoved for just over 55,000 from late position and Pedro Claus called within the small blind, only to look he was behind with 5♠5♣.
The Brazilian held J♣J♥ but after the A♠7♠4♠ flop, she needed to fade additional outs to a flush. Claus hit at the turn, because the T♠ completed his draw and after the K♠ fell at the river, there has been a moment of uncertainty.
Both players reevaluated the board, thinking that potentially it was a chop. It wasn't though, because the five of spades played and Claus scored the knockout. Bertoldi was out in 40th place and Claus is now playing 260,000. --WOC
Bertoldi bounced in 40th
9:34pm: Grimau gets aggressive to force Vuotto outLevel 18: Blinds 3,000/6,000, Ante 1,000
We mentioned that with the fast stacks gone, the larger stacked players are accomplishing some sizable pots. That has continued at Table 1, with Manuel Vuotto on the center of the action again.
This time, a player opened to 21,500, only to look Julio Grimau three-bet to 45,000 from the cutoff. Vuotto, who was at the button, shot his neighbor a glance after which cut out a four-bet, sized at 95,500.
The opener folded and Grimau quickly called, brining another interested look from Vuotto. After the A♠A♣3♠ flop, Grimau immediately announced himself "all-in" and with both players holding roughly the similar 170,000 chip stack, Vuotto was put to a choice for his entire stack.
He sat within the tank for with reference to three minutes before eventually folding, drawing a grin from Grimau. Neither player showed but some post-hand table talk revealed that Vuotto had laid down "Reyes", or kings. Grimau claimed to have kings but we'll never know if Grimau was stuffed with it or not.
The Argentine is now playing the simpler a part of 300,000, while Vuotto is behind 165,000. -- WOC
9:22pm: Ruiz versus RuizLevel 18: Blinds 3,000/6,000, Ante 1,000
Sebastian Ruiz opened with a raise to 13,500 from early position and it folded to Matias Ruiz who three-bet to 28,500 from the button. The action got back to Sebastian who reraised again to 54,500, Matias called, and the flop came 7♠K♣8♦.
Sebastian plucked 55,000 off of his mountainous stack as a number one bet, and after a few beats Matias called. The turn brought the 3♠ and without an excessive amount of hestiation an all-in shove from Sebastian, and Matias called in a flash.
Sebastian Ruiz: A♠A♣Matias Ruiz: 8♥8♠
A set for Matias! And after the 4♠ river he'd doubled all the way as much as 450,000. Meanwhile Sebastian falls out of the chip lead, though still has 350,000. --MH
9:11pm: Short stacks hanging on versus LopezLevel 18: Blinds 3,000/6,000, Ante 1,000
We're discovering Mario Lopez can't win every hand he plays, even though it has gave the look of that were the case of late. A FEW the super short stacks just doubled through him because the new level begins, but he's still the leader by far at his table, and challenging Sebastian Ruiz for the total tournament lead as well.
First it was Federico Rodriguez doubling up after taking 8♦8♠ against Lopez's A♥9♦ and surviving a J♥K♣T♥5♣3♥ board.
Then Rafael Velez did the similar after pushing with K♥T♦, getting called by Lopez who had A♦J♦, then watching the community cards come 7♣2♣3♣K♣7♥ to present Velez kings and the pot.
Both Rodriguez and Velez are hovering around 75,000, though, while Lopez continues to be in command with about 510,000. --MH
| 18 | 3,000 | 6,000 | 1,000 |
9:06pm: Two three-bets, different results for large stacksLevel 17: Blinds 2,500/5,000, Ante 500
With a flurry of eliminations dropping this field down near the overall five tables, it's given the larger stacked players some extra space to play some real poker. Two interesting hands played out on adjacent tables, with differing results for 2 big stacked players.
The first saw Lisandro Gallo open to 12,000 from the cutoff and after Juan Parra called at the button, another player called within the small blind. Andres Viola was within the big and he cut out a three-bet to 41,000. Gallo quickly called and the 2 others folded to send it heads as much as the flop.
Viola led the A♠T♣7♦ flop for 32,500 and after an excruciating little while within the tank for Gallo, he folded to maintain a 120,000 chip stack. Viola was moving as much as 360,000 and while he continues to climb, Fabian De La Fuente is heading within the opposite direction.
FDLF returned from dinner with the largest stack and after a table change saw him quickly lose chips to Sebastian Ruiz, he dropped a couple of more bigs to Manuel Vuotto. That hand was picked up with De La Fuente opening to 11,000 and after a player called, Vuotto three-bet the button to 31,500.
De La Fuente installed the required chips and the caller folded, to peer the A♥J♦2♥ flop. De La Fuente then check-folded to a 32,000 chip continuation bet, dropping the previous chip leader down near 325,000. Vuotto, at the other hand, is now peaking for just today 2 session, working just over 215,000. -- WOC
8:54pm: Santin's short stack goes bustLevel 17: Blinds 2,500/5,000, Ante 500
On the cash bubble, before the dinner break, Olivio Santin was all-in for his final 5,300 at the river against Oscar Alache. He found a double after which he managed to get into the money after dinner but his short stacked run has come to an end with only a quarter-hour left in Level 17.
Action was picked up with Pedro Claus opening to 14,000 from middle position. A COUPLE OF players later, Santin moved all-in for 22,000 from the cutoff. After a fold at the button, Gabriel Muzzio installed another raise, to 62,000 and that forced Claus out.
Santin was in danger and dominated with A♦J♦, as Muzzio held A♥K♦. The board ran out clean for large slick and Muzzio scored the knockout to send Santin to the rail in 46th place. Muzzio is now near 200,000. -- WOC
8:47pm: Ruiz rushes to top of leaderboardLevel 17: Blinds 2,500/5,000, Ante 500
We just noted below how Mario Lopez -- last year's winner of this same LAPT Uruguay Main Event (and the individual chargeable for bursting the money bubble here today) -- had become the primary player to 500,000 chips.
Before lets spend much time talking about him because the new leader, however, a hand developed between Fabian De La Fuente and Sebastian Ruiz at another table -- two of the opposite biggest stacks within the room -- and it was clear the winner could be in first when it ended.
Picking up the action at the turn with the board showing 7♦7♣3♥6♠, Ruiz checked, De La Fuente bet 35,000, and Ruiz called. The 4♦ at the river was followed by another Ruiz check, and De La Fuente didn't hesitate before betting another 50,000.
Ruiz thought of a minute then tossed out a chip to call, and De La Fuente had already mucked his hand before seeing Ruiz show his A♠3♠.
Now it's Ruiz taking up first position
Ruiz is up around 570,000 now, while De La Fuente drops back to 370,000. --MH
8:42pm: Lopez leads, first over half-millionLevel 17: Blinds 2,500/5,000, Ante 500
Lopez's title defense looking good
While the post-bubble leaderboard still holds a detailed resemblance to the counts we reported previous to the dinner break, there was on big change during the last 40 minutes. That may be who's atop the charts, as two-time LAPT champion and the defending champion on this event, Mario Lopez is the primary player over the half-million chip mark.
Lopez moved dangerously on the subject of 400,000 after popping the bubble and ever since, he's continued to climb. The Argentine is now playing just about 530,000, that is bad news for the remainder of this field as he could be probably the most accomplished player in LAPT history, not to mention that remains alive on this tournament. -- WOC
8:36pm: Three for the cost of oneLevel 17: Blinds 2,500/5,000, Ante 500
Double knockouts aren't exactly commonplace but they happen enough where we would not write home, or at the blog, about them. Triple knockouts though, are a horse of a special color.
Those are definitely worthy of blog inclusion, especially when we're within the money. Table 1 just saw on the subject of half the lineup disappear, way to Julio Grimau's pocket jacks. The Argentine had three short stacks covered, with the most productive of it, as he held J♣J♦ to Oscar Alache's A♥J♥, Emeliano Alcaide's K♣8♣ and Federico Prieto's K♠Q♠.
The entire table was on their feet because the 6♣2♥2♦4♣4♠ board ran out and after the river fell, Grimau celebrated taking all of it. The opposite three players hit the rail and when the dust settled, Grimau was behind 285,000. -- WOC
8:27pm: Harreguy hits the railLevel 17: Blinds 2,500/5,000, Ante 500
Jose Harreguy was just all-in and in danger with A♣J♦ versus the A♦8♦ of Jacques Blit.
All was okay for Harreguy throughout the 2♣4♦5♠ flop and 9♠ turn, however the 8♥ at the river caused him to wince with the conclusion he'd been eliminated.
Harreguy heads railward, while Blit just moved somewhat over 300,000. --MH
8:20pm: Hilario knocks out VenegasLevel 17: Blinds 2,500/5,000, Ante 500
Earlier we reported a large hand between Oscar Hilario and Javier Venegas through which Hilario claimed a large chunk of Venegas's stack. He just took the last of it to send Venegas railward for a min-cash.
Venegas was all-in with 7♠7♥ versus Hilario's Q♦Q♠, and after a queen came some of the community cards to seal it for Hilario, Venegas wish the table well and departed to the cashier's desk.
Hilario has 185,000 now. --MH
8:16pm: "Cacho" first to cashLevel 17: Blinds 2,500/5,000, Ante 500
Few within the room were as pleased as Andres "Cacho" Korn on the bursting of the bubble. He was all the way down to his last 20,000, and with the following hand he was within the big blind having to surrender 5,000 of that.
It folded around to German Fernandez Schemini within the cutoff who looked over at Korn's stack, then raised enough to position Korn all-in. The action reached Korn who checked his cards and called, turning over Q♥5♦ to his opponent's A♥3♦. The board ran out 7♠J♦3♥8♣2♣, and Korn shook hands with Schemini before departing to gather his minimum cash for finishing 63rd.
Roberto Duek went out only a moment later from the neighboring table because the all-ins are coming quickly now. --MH
8:16pm: Lopez's "mano favorito" brings end to bubble and status ovationLevel 17: Blinds 2,500/5,000, Ante 500
Mario Lopez have been very active at the money bubble and within the next period of hand-for-hand play, after Jose Perez doubled, he opened to 10,500 from the cutoff. Andres Piaggio then three-bet to 32,000 from the button and after the blinds folded, Lopez announced "cien mil".
He put 100,000 into the center and Piaggio followed him in, calling off for his with regards to 70,000 chip effective stack. The hands were kept down until the remainder of the tournament area was done playing and Lopez admitted that he had his "mano favorito".
After a minute, Table 3 was given the fairway light and Lopez tabled 9♣9♥. Piaggio was flipping for his tournament life with A♠K♣ and after the T♣9♠7♠ flop, he was in bad, bad shape.
He picked up some chops outs after the 8♦ fell at the turn but they did not come in, because the 2♣ completed the board and confirmed his elimination. With the remainder of the tables still seated, Lopez put one fist within the air to indicate victory and cheers started to ring out across the room.
Lopez shook his opponent's hand after which waved his like a political candidate greeting a supportive audience. Lopez is a favourite at the LAPT however the remainder of this Uruguay Main Event field likes him much more tonight, as he's pushed them into the money.
Everyone has now locked up a $2,420 score but we imagine Lopez has his eyes on an even bigger prize, as he's working the simpler a part of 390,000. -- WOC
Andres Piaggio's unimproved ace-king popped the bubble
8:10pm: Perez doesn't let the bubble popLevel 17: Blinds 2,500/5,000, Ante 500
Going into the dinner break, Jose Perez had just below two big blinds and within the first hand after the 75-minute recess, he was all-in and in danger. Oscar Hilario opened to 11,000 and Perez called for less at the button, together with his effective stack sitting at 8,000.
After the opposite tables completed their hands, the cards were turned over and Perez needed to fade three outs to stick alive. The Mexican held A♦Q♣ to A♥6♥ and after the board ran out clean, he had doubled.
He's not out of the woods just yet, as he's now only working five big blinds because the bubble rolls on... -- WOC
8:04pm: Back to the bubbleLevel 17: Blinds 2,500/5,000, Ante 500
Players are back from dinner and a brand new level has begun, again with the tournament being played hand-for-hand as they're one elimination from the cash. --MH
| 17 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 500 |
6:54pm: De La Fuente's (almost) half-million leads into dinnerLevel 16: Blinds 2,000/4,000, Ante 500
After the 2 double ups on the end of Level 16, the remainder of the period played out with two hands bringing little to no action. That suggests that this LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event will go at the dinner break with the bubble still waiting to burst, as 64 players remain.
The short stacks will likely plan their survival over the 75-minute recess but Fabian De La Fuente might be plotting his way towards Day 3. He's still on the top of the leaderboard, with just over 475,000.
Juan Parra and De La Fuente have swapped spots since our last chip count update and he's going to head on dinner with 441,000, with Chile's Sebastian Ruiz also over 400,000.
There is a huge drop from the top-three to the remainder of the top-ten, as Andres Viola and Mario Lopez are on the top of the second one wave. Sergio Benedictis is correct behind them, with Matias Ruiz and Cristian Rotondo over a quarter-million.
The remainder of the top-ten is in all places 200,000 and they will all get back trying to navigate their way into the cash and to tomorrow's penultimate session. The PokerStars Blog may be here to bring you all that action, with updates picking back up around 8 PM local time.
Until then, a glance on the Day 2 leaderboard is equipped below and all of the necessary payout information are available via the link at the right hand side bar. -- WOC
| Fabian De La Fuente | 476,000 |
| Juan Parra | 441,000 |
| Sebastian Ruiz | 418,000 |
| Andres Viola | 286,000 |
| Mario Lopez | 283,000 |
| Fernando Araujo | 281,000 |
| Matias Ruiz | 265,000 |
| Cristian Rotondo | 256,000 |
| Jacques Blit | 242,000 |
| Leo Fernandez | 236,000 |
6:49pm: Two doubles keep bubble from burstingLevel 16: Blinds 2,000/4,000, Ante 500
Olivio Santin was all-in at the river of a board of A♠T♥7♥4♦2♥, after betting 5,000 at the turn and getting two calls, from Oscar Alache and Pedro Claus.
He then bet his final 5,300 at the river and after some thought, Alache called to position the fast stack in peril. Claus folded and Santin was doubling along with his A♦8♣, to Alache's Q♦T♣. That moved Santin up near 45,000, still just over a 10 big blind stack, while Alache was left with as regards to double that amount.
A short while later, Hugo Spangenberg was all-in on Table 1, with Fernando Araujo calling the 58,000 chip three-bet shove. After the remainder of the tables played to completion, the cards were run, with Spanenberg in a great place to double with J♣J♥ to Araujo's T♣T♦.
The board ran out clean for some of the best pocket pair and Spangenberg doubled to only over 120,000, while Ajauro continues to be rather well stacked with with regards to 280,000. The bubble could be close too but we still need yet one more elimination to get into the money. -- WOC
It's all good, confirms Hugo Spangenberg
6:34pm: Lopez pushes Oliveira on bubbleLevel 16: Blinds 2,000/4,000, Ante 500
"Una mano mas," said Fernando Obando, tournament director, and again another hand of hand-for-hand was dealt in any respect eight tables. Seven finished relatively quickly, but one lingered on for several minutes.
It was one through which Mario Lopez opened from middle position for 8,800, Fernando Oliveira three-bet to 18,500 from the cutoff, then it folded back to Lopez who thought of a minute before four-betting to 40,500. Oliveira took his time, too, then called the reraise, and the pair watched a flop come A♥8♦T♦.
Lopez sat quietly again, then dropped forward a raffle of 32,800. Oliveira took just about two minutes, then let his hand go. Lopez has about 305,000 at present, while Oliveira is sitting with 205,000 because the bubble continues.
"Una mano mas." --MH
6:20pm: Vecchio shoves on ViolaLevel 16: Blinds 2,000/4,000, Ante 500
The bubble period have been relatively uneventful, with no single all-in and speak to during the first few periods of hand-for-hand play. Everyone thought there has been going to be one on an outer table though, as Leandro Vecchio three-bet shoved over an open from Andres Viola.
The big stack opened to 9,000 from early position and Vecchio shoved for just about 70,000 from middle position. The remainder of the table folded and Viola did the same, keeping Vecchio, and the bubble, alive. -- WOC
6:12pm: Pedro Claus puts Alache to the testLevel 16: Blinds 2,000/4,000, Ante 500
In the primary hand of hand-for-hand play, two-time LAPT champion Oscar Alache was put to the test by Pedro Claus. Pre flop action was missed but after the J♠J♥5♠ flop, Alache checked and the in-position Claus bet 30,000.
Alache had just over 69,000 behind and after on the subject of two minutes of thought, Claus said, quote translated, "YOU PROBABLY HAVE to think that much, you might be losing."
The Chilean laughed and after a couple of more moments within the tank, he released his hand. Claus showed the T♦ after which said something along the lines of, "WHEN YOU'VE GOT a jack, oh well."
Alache certainly didn't but he's now down near 20 big blinds at the immediate bubble. Claus is asking strong though, as he's near 150,000. -- WOC
6:04pm: Hand-for-hand beginsLevel 16: Blinds 2,000/4,000, Ante 500
The bubble is here -- another knockout, and the tournament reaches the cash. The tables being newly balanced, hand-for-hand play has begun. --MH
5:58pm: Martinez busts Araujo, one from moneyLevel 16: Blinds 2,000/4,000, Ante 500
The tournament had broken down on Route 66 for an even while -- that is, stuck on 66 players remaining -- when finally another elimination came around at Table 7.
With the board showing T♣6♥7♣Q♥ and about 30,000 or so within the middle, Francisco Araujo had pushed all-in from the hijack seat together with his last 36,000 or so, and Rafael Martinez went deep into the tank at the button. He took quite a lot of minutes, often rechecking his cards and looking out as if he a great deal desired to part with them.
But finally Martinez came up with a call, turning over K♠Q♠ for an open-ended straight draw. Araujo showed he was ahead with 8♦8♥, however the 9♣ dramatically fell at the river to present Martinez his straight, and Araujo quickly grabbed his hoodie and walked out of the tournament room.
Martinez is up around 120,000 now, and apparently there has been another knockout around the room, meaning they're now only one off the cash with 64 players left. --MH
5:47pm: Oliveira doubles near bubbleLevel 16: Blinds 2,000/4,000, Ante 500
We're still three clear of the cash because Brazil's Marco Oliveira just scored a far needed double against Rafael Roth.
Action was picked up with Roth opening to 11,500 from under the gun and after some folds, Oliveira three-bet shoved from the cutoff. His all-in registered at 45,400 and after just about a minute of thought, Roth called to look his opponent table J♦J♠.
Roth held A♦K♥, so that they were off to the races. The Brazilian held throughout the Q♦T♠8♣ flop after which during the turn and river, because the board ran out with the 4♦ and 5♣. Oliveira gave a snappy fist pump after which began stacking his chips, enough to position him dangerously with reference to 100,000.
Roth remains to be comfortably stacked with 115,000, with 66 players remaining. -- WOC
Jacks hold for Oliveira
5:39pm: Three to the burbujaLevel 16: Blinds 2,000/4,000, Ante 500
With Level 16 now underway, they're right down to 66 players -- just three eliminations from the money. --MH
| 16 | 2,000 | 4,000 | 500 |
5:36pm: Castresana catches cards to maintain chairLevel 15: Blinds 1,500/3,000, Ante 400
Just five players off the cash, Agustin Castresana was at risk of heading to the exit early at present after being all-in for his last 55,000 versus Ruben Barros.
Castresana had A♠K♥ while Barros showed 4♦4♣, and 3 cards into the postflop element of the hand -- 2♦7♣9♦ -- Castresana still needed help. However the turn was the A♣ and the river the A♦, giving him trips and the pot, and he survives with about 120,000 now. Meanwhile Barros has 138,000. --MH
5:30pm: Leo juggling his way up leaderboardLevel 15: Blinds 1,500/3,000, Ante 400
While most of this present day 2 field is precisely eager about one thing, the LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event that may be seven spots from the money, Leo Fernandez is performing a juggling act for the ages. He's playing PokerStars on his laptop, watching NFL football on his iPad, messaging friends on his iPhone and enjoying a late lunch, all while scoring a knockout to transport himself to the highest of the leaderboard.
Leonardo Fernandez, Renaissance Man
Action was picked up with Fernandez checking within the small blind on a board of J♣5♣4♦ and after Nicolas Betbese bet 5,100 from the cutoff, Fernandez check-raised to 15,300. Betbese got a count after which took inventory of his own stack, before announcing himself "all-in".
Fernandez picked his head up from his extracurricular activities and after eyeballing his opponent's stack, the Team PokerStars Pro put out a stack of chips for a decision. He was behind, as Betbese tabled Q♠Q♦ but Fernandez had a monster draw, with A♣4♣.
Immediately, Fernandez shot into the lead, after the A♠ gave him aces up at the turn. Betbese was drawing to simply two outs heading to the river and after the 2♠ completed the board, his 56,000 chip stack was heading around the table to Fernandez.
The Argentine stacked up 270,000 before going back to his devices. After entering today's restart with just ten big blinds, Fernandez is now looking like probably the most bigger stacks within the room and he'll hope to continue his juggling act even deeper into this present day 2 session. -- WOC
5:17pm: Hilario hits hand, collects versus VenegasLevel 15: Blinds 1,500/3,000, Ante 400
Following a middle-position limp, it folded to Javier Venegas within the small blind who raised to 9,000, then Oscar Hilario called from the large blind as did the unique raiser.
The T♥T♠9♥ flop brought a raffle of 9,000 from Venegas, called only by Hilario. Then after the J♠ turn Venegas checked, Hilario fired 30,000, and Venegas called.
The river was the 9♣, and with a wary look to his left Venegas checked yet one more time. Hilario gathered together a raffle of 32,500 and punctiliously slid it forward, and Venegas didn't wait that long before calling.
With slightly emphasis Hilario then turned his cards over onto their backs, showing K♣T♦ for tens full, and Venegas patted the table as his slid his hand face all the way down to the dealer.
Hilario jumps to about 220,000 with that pot, while Venegas is now all the way down to 24,000. --MH
The bubble nears on Day 2
5:01pm: Alache ascends back over 100,000Level 15: Blinds 1,500/3,000, Ante 400
Oscar Alache came into Day 2 with the largest stack out of the 2 starting flights and while he dropped below the 100,000 chip mark before the last break, he quickly got himself back above that threshold. That was way to a timely river against Lisandro Gallo, with action picked up pre flop with an under the gun open to 7,300.
Gallo called within the hijack and Alache completed his big unaware of see the Q♥5♠3♦ flop. Both Alache and the opener folded, before Gallo bet 6,500. Alache called and the opener folded to send two to the turn.
The T♣ brought checks from both players and Alache sprung into action after the J♣ completed the board. He bet 15,000 and Gallo quickly called, only to peer his opponent slide J♥3♥ around the felt.
"Doble?" Gallo asked, before turning over his own A♦J♠, showing that he likely wasn't calling with out a pair at the river. He did though and now both players are playing as regards to 110,000 ten players from the cash. -- WOC
4:48pm: Guillenea doubles through ViolaLevel 15: Blinds 1,500/3,000, Ante 400
Juan Pablo Guillenea just earned a small double-up through Andres Viola when his pocket eights held against the latter's ace-six, although he's still sitting with below half the common on the moment.
Guillenea has about 55,000 with 75 players left (12 from the cash), while Viola has 245,000. --MH
| 15 | 1,500 | 3,000 | 400 |
4:23pm: Break time
With 76 players left -- that's 13 off the cash -- players are off again on another 15-minute break. --MH
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Staying true to form from our starting flight coverage, we waited until the second one break of the day to bring you the primary complete take a look at top Day 2 counts. That's when the leaderboard starts to take shape and under two tables from the money, these players will likely not be sweating that bubble.
They will attempt to impose their will at the smaller stacks and thru four levels, two players are imposing themselves in this entire field. Juan Parra and Fabin De La Fuente are each playing 3 times the chip average, with Parra pacing the sector with 385,000.
Parra the pace-setter
De La Fuente has done nothing but climb today as well, picking up where he left off during Day 1A, when he led Friday's flight. He's sitting behind 366,000, with Andres Viola just shy of the 300,000 mark.
Cristian Rotondo sits forth, playing over a quarter-million, after coming back for Day 2 with just below 40,000. Leo Fernandez is playing just over 210,000 after beginning today's session with just over a starting stack.
Those two will hope to continue to construct however the remaining 76 players will all hope to fasten up a LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event score, with that bubble likely bursting inside the next two levels. The PokerStars Blog may be here to trace all of the pre-bubble action, starting with a glance on the current chip counts below. -- WOC
| Juan Parra | 385,000 |
| Fabian De La Fuente | 366,000 |
| Andres Viola | 284,000 |
| Cristian Rotondo | 258,000 |
| Diego Justo | 249,000 |
| Leo Fernandez | 212,000 |
| Jacques Blit | 206,000 |
| German Schemini | 188,000 |
| Sergio De Benedictis | 187,000 |
| Lisandro Gallo | 172,000 |
| Fernando Araujo | 169,000 |
| Matias Carrera | 162,000 |
| Julio Grimau | 158,000 |
| Matias Ruiz | 148,000 |
| Sergio Luis De Pego | 143,000 |
| Pedro Claus | 139,000 |
| Emiliano Alcaide | 121,000 |
| Javier Venegas | 118,000 |
| Amos Ben | 94,000 |
| Mario Lopez | 93,000 |
4:17pm: Big pot puts De La Fuente back in frontLevel 14: Blinds 1,200/2,400, Ante 300
Fabian De La Fuente opened for 5,600 and it folded to Eduardo Santi who made it 16,000 to move. It folded back to De La Fuente who paused a couple of beats then called, then the pair watched the flop come 5♦6♥Q♥.
De La Fuente checked, and Santi didn't wait too long before betting 20,000. De La Fuente again acted with deliberation, taking his time before pushing out a raise to 45,000. That sent Santi into the tank for roughly a minute, and eventually he emerged by pushing all-in for around 70,000 total.
De La Fuente called in a flash, tabling Q♣Q♠ for a flopped set, while Santi saw he was all but drawing dead with A♦K♦. The 8♣ turn did mean the river was no matter, and Santi is out.
De La Fuente remains to be stacking, however it seems like he now has greater than 340,000, making him the chip leader as Level 14 nears its end. --MH
Fabian looking fabulous
4:12pm: Two tables to paydayLevel 14: Blinds 1,200/2,400, Ante 300
With QUARTER-HOUR remaining in Level 14, the large board within the tournament area reads that 79 players are still alive from the unique 438. That suggests that we're two tables clear of this LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event field making the money, something we think to occur at the other side of the following break.
Before then, we'll bring you the primary have a look at the Day 2 leaderboard, with a mix of giant and notable counts coming shortly. -- WOC
4:05pm: 'Feature table' home to 2 of the biggestLevel 14: Blinds 1,200/2,400, Ante 300
While the PokerStars Blog might be bringing you all of the action from just today 2 session, the updates from Table 1 is probably not coming on the same rate because the remainder of the tournament area. That's for the reason that feature table is separated from the remainder of the active lineups, something so that they can turn out to be useful when this LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event is all the way down to the general table.
Until then, we'll stop in to test at the action now and again and midway through Level 14, two of the larger stacks within the room are seated across from one another at Table 1. Sergio De Benedictis remains to be working 180,000 and Brazil's Fernando Araujo is as regards to 175,000.
Those counts aren't good for the tip-top of the present leaderboard but with the chip average sitting near 100,000, both Benedictis and Araujo are in great positions heading towards the money. -- WOC
3:59pm: Barbero bounced; Schemini shoots upwardLevel 14: Blinds 1,200/2,400, Ante 300
With the board showing all clubs -- 9♣6♣4♣ -- German Fernandez Schemini pushed all-in, sending Nacho Barbero deep into the tank for roughly three minutes. Finally Barbero emerged to call, putting the last of his stack at risk.
Barbero had top pair and a flush draw with J♣9♦, however the draw was of little need to him as Schemini already had gotten there with Q♣T♣. The turn was the 8♠ and river the 2♠, and Barbero is out.
Schemini now sits with about 205,000. --MH
3:47pm: Gallo gets some from ViolaLevel 14: Blinds 1,200/2,400, Ante 300
"Champion... champion!"
So said Lisandro Gallo at present (in Spanish) after winning a pot against current chip leader Andres Viola, describing his own play at the river.
On the turn with the board showing 8♥5♦J♦7♣, Viola had bet 7,400 and Gallo called quickly, making the pot about 13,000. Then after the 4♥ river, Viola bet again -- this time 13,000 -- and after waiting a half-minute Gallo gathered calling chips, then added some more and pushing out a stack of 29,000.
Viola dragged a finger around the air before himself as if drawing a line he was unwilling to cross, and folded his hand.
As the pot was delivered Gallo's way, that's when he offered his self-evaluation. He sits with about 135,000 now, while Viola continues to be the pace-setter within the room with 275,000. --MH
Gallo, grinning like a champ
3:39pm: Thumbs up but Bertoldi goes down slightlyLevel 14: Blinds 1,200/2,400, Ante 300
Gabriella Costa fell towards the tip of Level 12, which means that the lone female remaining on this LATP9 Uruguay Main Event is Costa's countrywoman Igianne Bertoldi. She's at a comparatively stacked Table 3 lineup, contending with Jacques Blit, Amos Ben and Diego Justo, who just joined that group.
Bertoldi was just interested by hand with Cristian Velasquez, who has an identical stack size to the Brazilian, with that action picked up on a board of J♥8♣5♦5♠. Bertoldi checked the turn and Velasquez bet 5,000, with Bertoldi calling to peer the A♥ complete the board.
Both players checked and after Bertoldi tabled 7♥7♠, Velasquez threw over 9♥9♦, together with his pair being ok to win the pot. Bertoldi gave him a thumbs up but her stack takes a slip down, as she's working 55,000. Velasquez is operating just below 70,000, which every a dozen or so big blinds from the chip average. -- WOC
Bertoldi battling below average
3:25pm: Leo leaps upLevel 14: Blinds 1,200/2,400, Ante 300
Leo Fernandez started the day with a stack oof 23,500 -- about half the common on the time -- but now he's in a lot better shape after doubling up again, this time through Agustin Castresana.
We only caught the aftermath of this one, with Fernandez showing T♠9♦, Castresana Q♥J♦, and the Team PokerStars Pro's hand being best way to the A♥2♥8♣Q♣J♠ board. Seemed like chips probably got in at the river on that one, given how the river made Castresana two pair and Fernandez while filling a backdoor straight.
Fernandez is as much as 160,000 now while Castresana still has 66,000. --MH
| 14 | 1,200 | 2,400 | 200 |
3:18pm: Garcia can't fade fifth streetLevel 13: Blinds 1,000/2,000, Ante 300
Gonzalo Garcia open-raised all-in along with his last 14,200 from middle position, and it appeared the raise was going to get through because it folded the entire way around to Eduardo Santi within the big blind. But Santi didn't fold right away, and upon getting a count of Garcia's chips he quickly pulled some off of his stack to call.
Santi had K♣T♣ and Garcia A♥8♥, and after the 2♣9♣Q♦ flop and 5♠ it again looked as if everything was going to be very well for Garcia. However the T♦ came at the river, and after grabbing the edges of his head in anguish Garcia wished the table well before departing.
Santi now sits with 148,000. --MH
3:12pm: Click, click, click Table 4Level 13: Blinds 1,000/2,000, Ante 300
Table 4 just went two straight hands without seeing a flop but there has been still quite a few action, as a dynamic appears to be developing between three of the eight players. They have been clicking some buttons pre flop and while now we have yet to look that dynamic boil over just yet, it's guaranteed to happen eventually.
The first hand saw Nicolas Godoy open the button to 5,500 and after some thought, Fernando Luiz De Oliveira three-bet to 13,500 from the small blind. The large folded and after some thought, Godoy four-bet shoved for just over 50,000.
The Brazilian three-bettor instantly folded and Godoy took within the pot. At the very next hand, Godoy opened again, this time from the cutoff, to 4,800. Oliveira was in position this time and three-bet again, sizing this raise to 10,500.
He was likely seeking to attach Godoy for a second hand in a row but he forgot to account for the blinds. That's where Antonio Vilarins was sitting within the small and after he took inventory of his 45,000 chip stack, he four-bet shoved.
Both Godoy and Oliveira immediately folded, leading a couple of players at the other end of the table to wonder what all those raises were looking to represent. For now, we do not know, as we have not seen any hands tabled but we imagine these three wish to keep that sort of knowledge to themselves until they have got the products. -- WOC
An Oliveira chip-check by Brazilian blogger, Sergio Prado
2:58pm: Ricardo cut downLevel 13: Blinds 1,000/2,000, Ante 300
A short-stacked Ricardo Chauriye was just all-in with A♣Q♠ which gave him the preflop edge against Franco Bochini's A♦T♣. But a T♦5♣3♠ flop swung the advantage to Bochini, and after the 3♦ turn and 6♦ river, Chauriye's Main Event run ended.
Bochini sits with about 60,000. --MH
2:52pm: Castresana continues Day 2 climbLevel 13: Blinds 1,000/2,000, Ante 300
Marcelo Caceres peaked midway through yesterday's Day 1B flight but then fell slightly before bag just below the chip average. He hung on the subject of that mark in the course of the first two levels of today's restart but midway through Level 13, he was bounced by Agustin Castresana.
Action was picked up with the Argentine Castresana opening from early position and after the table folded to Caceres, who was within the big, he shoved. His all-in was for 37,000 and with well over 130,000 in front of him, Castresana flicked a chip into the pot for a call.
It was a flip for the fast stack's life, as Caceres held J♠T♣ to Castresana's 8♠8♥. While the K♠T♠6♠ flop gave Caceres a stranglehold at the hand, the turn left him in trouble. It was the 8♦, one in every of only two cards that would win the pot for Castresana and after the 5♣ bricked at the river, the previous 1B chip leader was left to bemoan his luck, or lack thereof.
As he headed out of the tournament area, Castresana stacked up as regards to 170,000, over four times what he began today's Day 2 session with just three hours ago. -- WOC
2:49pm: Guibert gets got by flopped set; Carrera cruisingLevel 13: Blinds 1,000/2,000, Ante 300
With the board showing 2♥4♠A♥, Marco Guibert was all-in and in peril holding A♣K♥ for prime pair, top kicker. Alas for Guibert, he was up against Matias Gaston Carrera's 2♦2♣ that gave him a suite of deuces. The 3♠ at the turn made a chop possible, however the river was the Q♦ and Guibert is out.
Carrera jumps as much as just over 200,000 with that massive pot, moving him up near the lead. --MH
2:38pm: Right down to 100Level 13: Blinds 1,000/2,000, Ante 300
Among the players hitting the rail of late was Gustavo Echeverri who fell quickly after starting the day with a top ten stack.
The field is right down to 100 players now, meaning the chip average is around 86,000. --MH
2:30pm: Back from break, just over 100 remainLevel 12: Blinds 800/1,600, Ante 200
A quick review by the tournament staff found that there are 102 players remaining heading into Level 13, meaning this present day 2 field is simply a handful of table breaks from the money.
63 players will profit Evento Principal and an entire list of the payout structure are available at the right hand side of the PokerStars Blog. -- WOC
| 13 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 300 |
2:12pm: Break it upLevel 12: Blinds 800/1,600, Ante 200
Two Day 2 levels are within the books and the large board reads 112 players remaining. That implies the remainder field could be split in two, the haves and the have nots as we move towards the money.
63 players will profit this event, with the PokerStars Blog returning to bring you all that action at the other side of break. -- WOC
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There are only a couple of minutes remaining in Level 12 and there are transforming into a couple of big stacks at every table of this LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event Day 2 session. Two are in close quarters on an outer table but that hasn't fazed German Schemini.
He just played a pot against Diego Justo and Matias Carrera, with that action picked up on a board of Q♥6♣5♣. Justo, who opened the action pre flop, bet 4,600 and after Carrera called within the cutoff, Schemini raised to 11,500 from the button.
Both players quickly called and after the J♦ fell at the turn, they checked to the flop raiser. Schemini cut out 25,500 and slid it around the felt, forcing a race from Justo and a good trip to the tank from Carrera.
Eventually, he said "No." and pushed his cards to the dealer, while looking to get Schemini to turn what he was betting with. He didn't, instead taking within the pot that brings him up near the 100,000 chip mark. Carrera is over that number, with Justo still pacing the lineup with as regards to 140,000. -- WOC
2:01pm: Bryan Oliver battles back from short stackLevel 12: Blinds 800/1,600, Ante 200
Bryan Oliver came into just today 2 session with just over a starting stack but heading towards the overall stretch of Level 12, he's over the 100,000 chip mark after scoring a double through Gustavo Santucci. Action was picked up with Oliver checking the K♣9♣6♦ flop from the blinds and a player betting 6,200.
Santucci called and after some thought, Oliver check-raised all-in for 48,000. The initial bettor quickly folded and action was then back on Santucci, who took a while to count out his remaining stack. He had just over 60,000, so he was roughly playing for his tournament life as well, if he elected to call.
He eventually did, tabling A♣J♣ for the nut flush draw. Oliver had the most productive of it, with 6♣5♣ but in preference to drawing to the flush, which he likely expected might be his method to victory within the pot, he needed to avoid another club falling off. Two black cards came at the turn and river but they were spades, wit the 7♠ and 6♠ confirming the double for Oliver.
When the dust settled, he was behind just about 105,000, while Santucci is right down to just ten big blinds heading towards the general ten minutes of the period. -- WOC
1:52pm: Gabrielle goneLevel 12: Blinds 800/1,600, Ante 200
Alas for Gabrielle Costa, her LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event run has come to an abrupt halt here in Level 12.
After Bryce Daifuku opened for 3,500, Costa reraised-pushed her last 27,000 and when it got back to Daifuku he called, not having her covered by a lot.
Costa had 5♦5♣ and Daifuku A♣K♦, and the A♥8♣6♣7♥J♥ runout gave the latter the easier pair and sent Costa to the exit.
Daifuku has as regards to 60,000 now. --MH
1:49pm: River hits JiminezLevel 12: Blinds 800/1,600, Ante 200
Following an open from the cutoff, Hector Jiminez reraised all-in for approximately 15,000 and it folded to Leo Fernandez within the big blind. He thought a moment, then pushed all-in over the top, forcing out the unique raiser.
Jiminez had A♠9♠ and Fernandez T♠T♥, and thru the K♣7♦9♣ flop and 4♣ turn it looked bleak for Jiminez. However the A♥ fell on fifth street, prompting Jiminez to knock the table in response.
"Ahh...," exhaled Fernandez. "The famous river."
Jiminez has about 32,000 now while Fernandez still has 58,000. --MH
1:42pm: Santin survives, collects from CostaLevel 12: Blinds 800/1,600, Ante 200
A preflop all-in between a few short stacks saw Olivo Santin in danger with 9♠9♦ versus Gabrielle Costa's A♥6♠. The 4♦3♦8♠8♣2♠ runout proved favorable to Santin and he survives, but both players remain well below the average.
Santin has about 16,000, while Costa is playing 22,000. --MH
Costa still smiling
1:36pm: Barging their way into the coverageLevel 12: Blinds 800/1,600, Ante 200
Over the primary level and a half just today 2 session, a couple of players have pushed their way onto the leaderboard. These four players weren't exactly at the PokerStars Blog's radar heading into the restart, after slightly pedestrian Day 1 totals, but we won't ignore them any longer.
The biggest of these Day 2 gainers is Sergio De Benedictis, who won that vast flip against Gustavo Echeverri earlier today. Benedictis is up and over 180,000, while Jacques Blit is playing the simpler a part of 175,000. Juan Parra Garcias could also be over double the chip average with 160,000 and Diego Justo is simply behind him with 155,000.
It's not the way you start, it's the way you finish and after treading throughout the starting flights with anonymity, these four players are looking like serious contenders as this field continues to transport towards the 100 player mark. -- WOC
1:22pm: Echeverri looking to climb backLevel 12: Blinds 800/1,600, Ante 200
At the beginning of play today, Gustavo Echeverri checked in with us over on the desk to take a gander on the chip counts to begin the day. Seeing his was just outside of the highest five to start with 138,000, he grinned from beneath the brim of his signature tan cowboy hat.
"Seis," he said, noting his sixth-place position. "Not bad," he added in English.
Alas for Echeverri, the beginning of Day 2 could've gone better. Actually today he watched his neighbor Fabian Chauriye open for 3,500 and responded with an all-in push for his remaining stack. After the others folded, Chauriye got a count after which folded his hand, and Echeverri showed his A♣T♣ before collecting the pot.
The pair engaged in talk afterwards, with Echeverri again appearing to be indicating ace-ten fitted to was "not bad" given the circumstances.
Right now he has about 35,000, while Chauriye is up around 110,000. --MH
Echeverri (a little bit earlier)
1:19pm: Harreguy greater than doubles, Zevola crippled, Muller eliminatedLevel 12: Blinds 800/1,600, Ante 200
A sizable three-way all-in just played out on Table 11 and before the flop, it seemed like Marco Zevola was in an ideal position to shoot himself the chip average. Instead, it was a timely turn card that moved Jose Harreguy over that threshold, with the action picked up pre flop.
Manuel Vuotto opened in early position and Harreguy called, before a couple of folds put the action on Zevola. He then three-bet shoved from the button, for 36,700 and after a fold within the small blind, Janir Muller called for less within the big.
Muller's stack weighed in at 16,500 and after Vuotto got a count of both in peril players, he elected to fold. With just over 26,000 in front of him, Harreguy was in a tricky spot and a minute of thought saw him decide it was time to make a move.
He called and immediately, Zevola tabled A♥K♠. Harreguy cringed, as he flipped over A♠J♠ and while he was dominated, the fast stacked Muller was live with Q♣T♠.
Big slick stayed within the lead at the 8♠6♥6♦ flop but after the J♣ turn card, Zevola looked sick to his stomach. The 4♥ completed the board and when the dust settled, Harreguy was stacking up the easier a part of 80,000.
Muller was eliminated and Zevola may well be following him out the door shortly, as he was left with lower than 9,000 chips. -- WOC
1:10pm: Bertoldi calls, collectsLevel 12: Blinds 800/1,600, Ante 200
With the board showing 5♥K♦4♣3♥4♥ and a tight pot already developed, German Poncio fired a chance of around 15,000 and after thinking a little while Igianne Bertoldi called.
When she did, Poncio patted the felt as a prelude to congratulating her as he showed 8♥7♦ for a failed bluff. Bertoldi tabled A♣5♣ for a rivered wheel, and she or he claimed the pot.
Bertoldi is up around 70,000 now while Poncio slips to 18,000. --MH
| 12 | 800 | 1,600 | 200 |
12:59pm: Three going for threeLevel 11: Blinds 600/1,200, Ante 200
There are three players starting today's Day 2 with an opportunity to ascertain new LAPT records by winning a 3rd Main Event title. All three began the day with big stacks as well, although after nearly one level one has slipped to below average status already.
Oscar Alache (winner of LAPT7 Brazil and LAPT8 Chile) began the day with the chip lead and still has an overly healthy 162,000, good for the highest five.
Alache setting sights even higher
Mario Lopez (winner of LAPT7 Chile and last year's champion in Punta del Este for LAPT8 Uruguay) began with a top five stack but has dropped back a bit. He still has 118,000, though, that is nearly twice the average.
Finally Nacho Barbero (winner of back-to-back titles at LAPT3 Uruguay and LAPT3 Peru) started the day with healthy chips, but now sits with just 35,000. --MH
12:53pm: Plenty to play for on PokerStars, tooLevel 11: Blinds 600/1,200, Ante 200
There is nearly a $600,000 prize pool up for grabs on this LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event and just over $110,000 will visit our eventual champion. That prize pool is nothing to scoff at but there's plenty to play for on PokerStars as well.
The final weekend of the arena Championship of Online Poker is upon us and that suggests a $10,000,000 GTD, $5,000 buy-in Main Event, two $1,000,000 GTD tournaments and many more low-cost birds.
A few players on this Day 2 session was seen multi-tabling early, including Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez, Mario Lopez, Bernardo Abramovich and Nacho Barbero. The latter was tapping at his iPad all weekend and we do not expect that to prevent any time soon, especially with such a lot up for grabs.
A complete list of the WCOOP schedule are available here.
The World Championship of Online Poker is underway, with huge prize pools up for grabs this weekend. Click here to get within the action.12:46pm: Benedictis flips better than EcheverriLevel 11: Blinds 600/1,200, Ante 200
The swings in tournament poker may also be brutal at any stage of a tournament but if you return in with a top stack, players usually expect to keep growing. Gustavo Echeverri likely would have picked up where he left off last night, had he not run into Sergio De Benedictis.
The two just played an important pot on Table 15 and while the early action was missed, all signs pointed to the chips getting into pre flop. Echeverri held 9♣9♥ and Benedictis had A♣K♣ tabled in front of his seat with the board reading 7♣4♣4♦6♣Q♣.
That seat was empty though, as Benedictis had stepped away to present himself a fist pump to celebrate the double, while Echeverri was left to evaluate the wear. When the dealer reduce Benedictis' stack, Echeverri needed to ship 72,200 one spot to his left, dropping him down near 27,000.
Benedictis at the other hand, is now looking like probably the most top stacks within the room, with just below 150,000. -- WOC
12:35pm: Gaissler gaining way to successful bluffLevel 11: Blinds 600/1,200, Ante 200
Muriel Gaissler returned for just today 2 session just over the chip average but in a single of the primary hands he played, he ran a river bluff that has put him within touching distance of the 100,000 chip mark. Action within the early stages of the hand was missed but with the board showing Q♠9♣3♦3♠5♦, Gaissler moved all-in from the blinds.
His opponent, Jorge Ramella, asked for a count and when the dealer ran the numbers, Gaissler's stack weighed in at 41,900. That was a big majority of Ramella's stack and after on the subject of two minutes within the tank, he let his hand go.
Immediately, Gaissler tabled his hand or even though he did not have to, everyone knew why. He desired to show the successful bluff, slamming 4♦4♠ down at the table, much to the displeasure of his opponent. -- WOC
12:29pm: Fernandez finds a doubleLevel 11: Blinds 600/1,200, Ante 200
The lone Team PokerStars Pro within the event Leo Fernandez started today with a brief stack, and while he's still below the common he just scored a miles needed double-up to maintain things going for him.
All-in with A♥Q♦ versus the K♥Q♣ of Marcelo David Albojer, the easier handheld during the 9♦9♠7♦T♠9♠ board and Fernandez is as much as around 45,000. Meanwhile Albojer slips to about 5,000 and is within the danger zone. --MH
Leo trying to leap up
12:16pm: Viola vaults in frontLevel 11: Blinds 600/1,200, Ante 200
Andres Viola returned to 1 of the highest stacks within the room, and he just added a couple of more after knocking out Gabriel Mega.
The pair got all the latter's chips in at the 5♣Q♦T♦ flop, with Mega holding K♣K♠ and Viola drawing to a flush with A♦7♦. The 3♠ turn was okay for Mega, however the J♦ was not, giving Viola the pot and sending Mega railward.
Viola is up round 220,000 it appears, having jumped sooner than Oscar Alache and Fabian De La Feunte within the early going to snatch the chip lead. --MH
Chip Concerto No. 1, for Viola
12:05pm: Shuffle up and dealLevel 11: Blinds 600/1,200, Ante 200
Let's play some cards! The common stack to start out the day is solely over 56,000. --MH
| 11 | 600 | 1,200 | 200 |
11:30am: Alache on top to begin Day 2
It's an unseasonably warm Sunday morning in Punta del Este, and shortly the poker action might be heating up to boot with the beginning of Day 2 of the Latin American Poker Tour Uruguay Main Event.
We've been reporting on Oscar Alache's LAPT successes for quite a while now, highlighted by two Main Event victories within the space of some months when he won the LAPT7 Grand Final in late 2014, then went back to his home country and captured the LAPT8 Chile title in Viña del Mar in early 2015.
Yesterday Alache struggled throughout the afternoon session, busting just previous to the dinner break and having to reenter just because the opportunity to take action was about to be taken away. He'd start the post-dinner session winning a large hand with a straight flush to crack an opponent's aces, and it was up, up, up from there as he ended the night bagging 177,700 to hold the chip lead into today's second day of play.
Fabian De La Fuente may be Alache's nearest challenger to begin the day -- just behind him with 176,400 -- with Javier Venegas, Andres Viola, and another two-time LAPT champion Mario Lopez rounding out the highest five. Gustavo Echeverri, Amos Ben, Lisandro Gallo, and a 3rd two-time LAPT winner Nacho Barbero also are returning to larger than average stacks.
From the 438-entry field just 155 players might be coming back today, all vying for a work of the $571,590 prize pool to be divided some of the top 63 finishers, with a groovy $110,870 prize and LAPT trophy sitting up top awaiting the winner. Click here for a glance on the start-of-Day-2 stacks for all 155 players.
The plan today is to continue with one-hour levels as usual, starting with Level 11 (600/1,200/200). They'll take a 75-minute dinner break after Level 16, then get back and sure attempt to play all the way down to 32 players.
Day 2 awaits
Join us shortly for the beginning of play as we'll be here all day and night with updates, hand reports, chip counts, photos and more from Day 2 of LAPT9 Uruguay. --MH
Ready to embark by yourself poker adventure? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at LAPT9 Uruguay: Will O'Connor and Martin Harris. Photos by Carlos Monti. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog
Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Latin American Poker Tour]
