$2,700 No Limit Hold'em Main Event Day 1 | 2008 PokerStars.net LAPT Punta del Este

08-07-2008 16:22 UTC-3

Raymer Chipping Up

[user66118]

From middle position, Greg Raymer opened the betting with a raise to 400. A player in late position as well as the big blind called, and the three men went to the flop.

It showed up {A-Diamonds}

. The big blind checked, Fossilman continued out with a bet of 1,000, and the player next to act quickly called. The big blind ducked out, and it was heads up to the turn.

It brought the {8-Diamonds}

, and both men checked.

River: {2-Spades}

. With little hesitation, Raymer said, "Dos mil," betting 2,000 chips in Spanish. His opponent thought for several minutes before raising to 5,675. Raymer seemed confused, and took a moment to survey the situation. After about two minutes, he said, "Well, if you have a flush you win," as he dropped the calling chips into the pot. He tabled {A-Clubs}

, and his opponent shrugged and opened up his {A-Spades}

. Raymer's two pair was the winner and he pulled in the sizable pot, working his way up to 17,500 chips.

Tags: Greg Raymer

08-07-2008 15:54 UTC-3

Sleepy Greenstein

[user66118]

Barry Greenstein arrived in Punta del Este just 45 minutes before the start of the tournament today. As such, he seems a little bit weary from the travel. Greenstein is spending the majority of the time with his head down and his eyes closed, opening them only to glance at his cards quickly before returning to his stop-and-go nap. He has managed himself well enough though, having chipped up over the 15,000 mark.

Tags: Barry Greenstein

08-07-2008 15:39 UTC-3

Spanish Only?

[user66118]

"Do I look thin in that picture?" he asked.

Mark "P0ker H0" Kroon is among those seated upstairs in the casino, and he has just been given a penalty for something unusual. Kroon and another player were bantering back and forth, and the dealer warned him not to speak English at the table. He was told he could only speak English to the floor staff, and he seemed taken aback by the ruling.

"That is your warning," said the dealer.

We believe that it is an incorrect decision, as at least half of the table talk downstairs in the main room is in English.

Tags: Mark Kroon P0ker H0

08-07-2008 15:35 UTC-3

More Room, Please

[user66118]

Rather than keep the list open for alternates, the staff has decided to simply add on to the field. With 300 players sitting in the main tournament area, an additional four tables have been made available upstairs in the VIP Room of the casino. We are told that our full field is in play now, and the final numbers are being tabulated as we speak.

Level: 3

Blinds: 75/150

Ante: 0

08-07-2008 15:24 UTC-3

Play Resumes

[user66118]

The players are back in their seats, and the cards are back in the air!

08-07-2008 15:09 UTC-3

Break Time

[user66118]

The tournament clock has been paused, and the players are taking their first 15-minute break of the day.

08-07-2008 15:01 UTC-3

Tight Quarters

[user66118]

With 300 players packed into the small space here at the Mantra Resort, there is little room for spectators and media to move about the room. It is causing some problems for dealers trying to get to their push tables, as well as for the camera crews trying to make their way between the tables. Every seat is filled, and alternates continue to be given seats as players are eliminated.

We expect to have the final numbers for total entrants and prize pool a little bit later in the day.

08-07-2008 14:34 UTC-3

Doan Doing Work

[user66118]

From under the gun, Greg Raymer comes in limping, as does Thuy Doan in late position. The player to her left puts in a raise, making it 500 to play. Both Raymer and Doan call.

The flop rolls out {3-Clubs}

. Action checks to the raiser, and he continues out with a bet of 800. Raymer ducks out, but Doan slips on her sunglasses and decides to put in a check-raise, making it 2,400 total. Her opponent studies for a minute or two before making the call.

The turn brings the {2-Diamonds}

. Both players check.

The river is the {4-Spades}

. Doan grabs three yellow T1000 chips and makes a bet of 3,000. Without hesitation, her opponent puts in the call. Doan flips over {A-Diamonds}

-- the stone cold nuts. She drags in a pot worth nearly 13,000 chips, and has moved up over 16,000.

Tags: Thuy Doan

08-07-2008 14:21 UTC-3

Raymer Keeping Things Interesting

[user66118]

Greg Raymer is seated just a few seats away from Vanessa Rousso, and he has been regaling the table with stories about every topic imaginable, from real estate to race cars. Here in the early going, the players, including Rousso, seem as interested in the chatter as they are in the hand in progress. Leave it up to Raymer to keep his table awake despite the slow pace of play.