LAPT San José Main Event Day 1 | 2008 PokerStars.net LAPT - San José

11-03-2008 21:21 UTC-5

More for Maridu

[user66118]

Maria "Maridu" Mayrinck has been having a tough time for the past three or four levels, and her chip stack has been suffering. As we were counting her chips moments ago, she covered her small stack and yelled, "Nooo, stop covering me. It's embarrassing!"

Not to worry for Maridu though. With just over 7,000 chips left, she got them all in holding {K-Spades}

. She was looked up by a single opponent holding {7-Spades}

. A third king came on the flop, as the board ran out {K-Clubs}

. With that full house, Mayrinck tallied a much-needed double-up.

She sits now with just under 16,000 chips.

Tags: Maria Mayrinck

11-03-2008 21:37 UTC-5

More Chips to Bust With

[user66118]

We spoke too soon, Maridu.

Just moments after her double-up, Maria Mayrinck found herself all in once again, this time holding {5-Diamonds}

. She was racing for her tournament life versus her opponent's {A-Spades}

.

Much to her chagrin, the {A-Diamonds}

peeled right off on the flop, and Mayrinck failed to improve. Losing the race and the rest of her chips, the charming Maridu is headed to the rail.

Tags: Maria Mayrinck

Level: 8

Blinds: 400/800

Ante: 75

11-03-2008 21:40 UTC-5

Akkari Sent to the Exit

[user66118]

Just before the last level up, we lost another big name. In a battle of the blinds, Andre Akkari got all in preflop against the man next to him. When the cards were turned over, Akkari held {K-Hearts}

and was at risk of elimination against his opponent's {A-Spades}

.

The dealer failed to deliver any help cards to Akkari, and the pro makes his exit here late in Day 1.

Tags: Andre Akkari

11-03-2008 21:43 UTC-5

Falling by the Wayside

[user66118]

A number of notables have met their demise here in the last hour, including Maria Mayrinck, Andre Akkari, Stephen Chidwick, Brent Harpe, and the First Lady of Costa Rican poker, Doris Yankelwitz.

11-03-2008 21:57 UTC-5

Stern But Fair

[user66118]

Joel Micka brought things in with a raise, making it 2,000 straight from middle position. Next to him, Brian Tate called, and action came to Maria Stern in the big blind. She grabbed her whole stack, moving all in for a total of 11,500. Micka folded out of position, as the decision was still on the player in the big blind. After a minute, he too moved all in, but for only about 4,200. Tate asked for a count on Stern before opting to fold, and it was heads up between the two shorter stacks.

Showdown:
Stern: {7-Clubs}

Opponent:

The board ran out {K-Hearts}

, and Stern improved to a flush, knocking out an opponent and chipping her way up to just shy of 20,000. After the hand, it became clear that she has a lot of support here, as several young men came up and kissed her on the cheek.

Tags: Maria Stern

11-03-2008 22:11 UTC-5

Plastik in Good Shape to Double

[user66118]

Tark Abboud opened the pot with a raise from late position, and action came around to David Plastik in the blinds. He had just about 13,000 chips left, and they all went into the middle. Abboud thought for a few moments before making the call, putting Plastik's tournament livelihood in jeopardy.

Showdown:
Abboud: {A-Spades}

Plastik:

An ace came on the flop, but the rest of it was trouble for Plastik, as the dealer spread out {Q-Hearts}

. Abboud came from behind to take the lead with two pair, but Plastik still had outs.

"That's it," said Plastik, as he stood from his chair and began putting on his jacket. The table tried to tell him what his out cards were, drawing a dry, "I know what I need," from the pro. The turn and river failed to improve him though, as the {7-Clubs}

and

rounded out the board.

Despite getting his money in good, David Plastik heads to the rail late in Day 1.

Tags: David Plastik

11-03-2008 22:26 UTC-5

Action!

[user66118]

As we wind down towards another break, it has become clear that there was no sign of the dreaded "After-Dinner Coma" tonight. Chips are flying around the room, and have now been for two solid hours.

With all of the action, a number of big names have found themselves on the wrong side of an all-in confrontation. Among the most-recent eliminations were Humberto Brenes, Ibuki Fukui, and Veronica Dabul. There are still a number of notables in the field though, and a growing number of big stacks in the room as well.

11-03-2008 22:37 UTC-5

Go You Good Thing

[user66118]

As we scan the remaining field, one man sticks out like a sore thumb. Not because of his chip count or his attire, but because of his accent.

As we wander over to Table 21, an Australian accent emerges from the Spanish and broken English that is dominating the conversation. It is the voice of Will Mitchell, and he is the lone representative from down under. A native of Sydney, Mitchell has already won his seat to the APPT finale in his home town next month.

Mitchell would like to say hello to all of his fellow Aussies out there. Just approaching the break, he is getting a little short, but still has just under 14,000 to play with.

Tags: Will Mitchell

11-03-2008 22:37 UTC-5

Last One

[user66118]

The clock is paused, and the players are on their last 10-minute break of the day.