LAPT Punta del Este Main Event Day 1 | 2010 PokerStars.net LAPT Punta del Este

02-24-2010 02:16 UTC-12

A Few More Faces

[user66118]

The Team PokerStars Pros from this region are out in full force. Apart from those we've already mentioned, here are a few of the other familiar faces we've spotted so far.

Team PokerStars Pro Argentina: Jose Ignacio Barbero, Leo Fernandez, and Veronica Dabul

Team PokerStars Pro Brazil: Alexandre Gomes and Andre Akkari

Team PokerStars Pro Mexico: Angel Guillen

Rumor has it Maria "Maridu" Mayrinck will be joining her amigos from Team Brazil shortly as well.

02-24-2010 02:12 UTC-12

Aaaaaand They're Off!

[user66118]

Tournament Director Mike Ward has given the dealers the command, and Day 1 is underway!

Level: 1

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0

02-24-2010 01:40 UTC-12

Bienvenidos a Uruguay!

[user66118]

Good morning and welcome to PokerNews' coverage of PokerStars.net LAPT Punta del Este! While the eyes of the poker world are fixed on the NAPT event in Las Vegas, the sun chasers have come south to spend a week of their summer in beautiful Uruguay. This stop has been on the LAPT schedule for all three seasons, quickly becoming a favorite poker destination among the players and media alike.

The luxurious Mantra Resort is abuzz with activity as the noon start time approaches. A rather important looking press conference is just coming to an end, and nearly 300 players are mulling about the tournament area, ready to get rolling. Among them are a strong contingent of locals and visitors from nearby countries, but there are a handful of pale invaders and tan crusaders lurking about as well.

We've already spotted Dutch Team PokerStars Pro Pieter de Korver sipping on a neon beverage of some sort, and Stephen "stevie444" Chidwick is mulling about the tournament room as well. The Latin America pros are here too; Humberto Brenes (and brother Alex), Alexandre Gomes, and Angel Guillen are among those we've already run into.

We're about ten minutes away from kickoff time, so sit tight; we'll be back with the 'shuffle up and deal' shortly!