LAPT Playa Conchal Main Event Day 1 | 2009 PokerStars.net LAPT Playa Conchal

Level: 3

Blinds: 100/200

Ante: 0

11-19-2009 15:01 UTC-5

15-minute Break

[user38449]

The tournament clock has been paused while the players go on their first 15-minute break of the day.

11-19-2009 15:01 UTC-5

Maria "Maridu" Mayrinck raised to 450 before the next player moved all in for 1,700. The all-in player was the same played that bluffed with ace-jack against Maridu earlier. The action then folded around to the big blind and he asked what he could raise to. After some talk with the table and the dealer to see what he could make it, he reraised to 3,000 even. Maridu moved all in after the raise and then the big blind folded, showing pocket tens. Maridu tabled {Q-Clubs} {Q-Spades} against the short-stack player's {8-Diamonds} {8-Clubs} .

The flop came down {A-Diamonds} {8-Hearts} {3-Diamonds} , hitting a set for the all-in player and putting Maridu behind. The turn brought the {K-Clubs} and then the river the {K-Hearts} . The short stack player tripled up while Maridu did win the small side pot to get some chips back and now has about 16,000

After the hand, the dealer was a little confused making change for everyone and giving the correct amount to each player. Maridu jumped in and helped, explaining to the dealer who needed what and how much.

Lynn had a chat to Maridu about the hand, and a whole lot more:

Tags: "Maridu"Maria Mayrinck Team PokerStars PRO Brazil

11-19-2009 14:55 UTC-5

Scoreboard Update

[user38449]

Here's a look at some of the notables' chip counts as we approach the first break of the day:

Jean-Robert Bellande - 5,600
Gualtar Salles - 20,800
J.C. Alvarado - 24,700
Humberto Brenes - 17,450
Leo Fernandez - 22,700
Maridu Mayrinck - 19,400
Victor Ramdin - 28,000
Paul Magriel - 27,000
Alex Fitzgerald - 19,600

11-19-2009 14:48 UTC-5

Culturific Costa Rica

[user38449]

Without making it sound like we work for the Costa Rican travel bureau, simply put, if you haven't already been to Costa Rica, you should come.

From the minute you step off the plane, you can sense that there's something different about this place. The "Ticans," (another word for Costa Ricans) are known for their kindness and hospitality, and it shows in every aspect of life.

Down here, the Ticans live in "Pura Vida," defined as a state of happiness, peace and tranquility brought about by political stability and freedom. Fittingly, the country hasn't owned an army since 1948.

Here are some quick facts about our host venue's country:

Official name: Republica de Costa Rica
Language: Spanish
Currency: Costa Rican Colon (currently 1.00 USD = 558.05 CRC)
Time zone: UTC (GMT -6)
Capital city: San José
Population: 4.5 million
Average temperature: 22°C (72°F)
Happy Planet Index ranking: 1

11-19-2009 14:42 UTC-5

Fukui Gets Funky with the Ladies

donpeters

After a player under the gun limped, a player from middle position raised to 600. Ibuki Fukui called out of the small blind and the limper called as well. The flop was {10-Diamonds}

. Fukui checked and so did the limper. Action fell on the preflop raiser and he made a bet of 2,500. Both his opponents called.

The turn brought the {2-Spades}

. Action was checked around by all three players before the {3-Clubs}

fell on the river.

Fukui was first to act and checked. The next player bet 2,500. The third player folded and then Fukui made the call. Fukui showed {Q-Clubs}

to beat his opponent's {10-Clubs}

and rake in the pot.

Scooping in that rather large pot in the early goings put Fukui up to 35,000 chips.

Tags: Ibuki Fukui

11-19-2009 14:32 UTC-5

A Plastik Four-bet

donpeters

After David Plastik opened the action with a raise, Humberto Brenes reraised from the small blind. Action folded back over to Plastik and he jacked the action up to 8,000. Brenes went into the tank and began giving some commentary to the table in great Humberto fashion. Eventually, he mucked his hand, giving Plastik the pot.

"Big fold, big fold." said Brenes, dropping to 15,125.

Plastik increased his stack to 24,000.

Tags: David Plastik Humberto Brenes Team PokerStars PRO Costa Rica

11-19-2009 14:20 UTC-5

Are You a Celebrity?

donpeters

The first player checked the board of {Q-Clubs}

to Maria "Maridu" Mayrinck. She fired 1,600. The player behind her called the bet and the first player called as well.

The river completed the board with the {10-Hearts}

, pairing the board. The first player checked and then Maridu checked as well, eyeing the final opponent as she did so. The third and last player to act fired 3,000. The first player quickly folded and then Maridu followed suit. The player that won the hand showed {A-Clubs}

to the table.

"Nice hand, I should have called." said Maridu.

After a moment, another player at the tabled asked Maridu, "Are you a celebrity? Should I know you?" Maridu just smiled and gave a little laugh. She's sitting on 19,000 chips.

Tags: "Maridu"Maria Mayrinck Team PokerStars PRO Brazil

11-19-2009 14:07 UTC-5

Player Friendly

donpeters

The all-day buffet outside the poker room

Working together, PokerStars and the resort have really catered to the players in the tournament. Not only is the tournament being held at a world-class resort, but there is a buffet of food set up just outside the tournament room plump with plenty of food. Drinks are on ice and players can choose between hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, chicken wings, fruit, and chips with dip.

Wish you were here?

Level: 2

Blinds: 75/150

Ante: 0