Welcome Back, Amigos!
What began with 307 players about 48 hours ago is now a race to the trophy with just three tables left in play. Cesar Mostafa is on top of the scoreboard as the day dawns, but his lead is a narrow one. Daniela de Lima Zappielo will charm you with her smile and then take all of your chips, and she is lurking in second place, right in Mostafa's wake.
Team PokerStars Pros Nacho Barbero and Humberto Brenes come into play in sixth and seventh places respectively, both men looking to capture their first LAPT title. Also in contention is the always troublesome Stephen "stevie444" Chidwick, still on the prowl for his inevitable first live victory in a major tournament.
We're just about 10 minutes away from the scheduled start time, and the room is abuzz with activity. The staff is scurrying around, passing out chip bags and double checking the decks. The television crew is making final preparations to the featured table, and the lights and cameras are starting to blink to life.
We'll be back in just a few minutes, so don't go far! Cards will be flying post haste.