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From August 7-12, 2012, the PokerStars.net Latin American Poker Tour will return to Medellin, Colombia, for the Second Annual LAPT Colombia National Poker Championship. The stop marks the fourth event on the LAPT Season V schedule and looks to build on last year’s record field of 681 players, which was won by Julian Menendez. The Argentinean collected COP123,540,000 for his performance, and became the Colombia National Poker Champion.

LAPT Colombia Final Table Payouts
1. Julian Menendez, Argentina, $65,476
2. Jonathan Pabon, Colombia, $55,909
3. Jessica Bedoya, Ecuador, $68,391
4. Victor Forero, Colombia, $72,093
5. Alexis Agudelo, Colombia, $54,226
6. Stuart McDonald, Australia, $88,160
7. Rafael Pardo, Colombia, $21,111
8. Jonathan Markovits, Ecuador, $14,809
9. Jhon Rodriguez, Colombia, $12,288

This year’s COP3,820,000 buy-in Main Event, which is roughly $2,100 USD, will feature two starting days, each capped at 300 players, and will be preceded by a welcome cocktail will be available for online PokerStars qualifiers on Thursday, August 9 21:00 – 00:00 at ‘Sixttina’ located at the Centro Comercial Rio Sur, 7th floor. Transportation will be provided to and from the venue (leaving from the GHL Comfort Hotel and the Allegre Casino).

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Medellin

Venue
Casino Allegre
CENTRO COMERCIAL PREMIUM PLAZA, EL POBLADO
Carrera 43A (Av. El Poblado) con calle 30.
Third floor, Unit 3101.
Medellín, Colombia.
Tel: + 574 604 22 45, +318 820 09 77
Email: infolapt@lagcol.com

Vitals
Location: Medellín, Colombia
Founded: November 2, 1675
Population: 2.3 million as of 2005
Exchange Rate: Colombian Pesos (Col$) *1,737 Col$ = 1 USD
Weather: 22 °C (72 °F) on average
Tax on Winnings: 20% of winnings over COP1,250,000 will be withheld by the Colombian Government. Official receipts will be issued.

According to the LAPT website: “Medellín is today one of Latin America’s safest big cities, and also one of its most enjoyable and welcoming. Visitors to Medellín have a wide choice of attractions and activities, with plenty to win over the traveler. Surrounded on all four sides by rugged peaks, there are stunning views wherever you look. With mild temperatures all-year round, Medellín deserves the nickname ‘City of Eternal Spring.’ A dynamic economy, driven by a huge textile industry as well as big business in cut flowers, helps support a lively cultural scene. The narrow streets of downtown are rich with pedestrian life. Above all, it’s the people of this fantastic city who will win you over. Even in ultra-friendly Colombia, they are known for their graciousness and warmth.”

Getting There & Around

Medellín is the only city in Colombia with two airports: José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) and Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH). The former deals with international flights while the latter focuses on more regional flights. Needless to say, flying to the city isn’t a problem. From there, just catch a cab into the city.

Once there, getting around is easy. Medellin is home to two transportation terminals: Terminal de Transporte Intermunicipal del Norte and Terminal de Transporte Intermunicipal del Sur; as well as the Metro de Medellín, a bus line that connects the city with others in the area. You can also experience Medellín via the Metrocable lines, an air-cable car that’ll help you get from one place to another.

Staying Put

The LAPT Main Event will be held at Casino Allegre. If you were fortunate enough to qualify for your LAPT seat, you’ll be provided six nights of accommodations for you and one guest at the Hotel GHL Comfort San Diego.

Hotel GHL Comfort San Diego
Call 31 No.43-90,
Medellin, Colombia
Tel: +574 444 9002

For any hotel related query, assistance with booking of flights, transfers, etc., feel free to email info@lapttravel.com.

Out and About

Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” Medellin has plenty to offer poker players. Aside from the great action at Casino Allegre, the city itself is an explorer’s dream. For instance, the Parque de los Pies Descalzos (AKA Barefoot Park) offers a pleasant walk through rocks, a bamboo forest, stone pillars, and fountains, though you’re required to take off your shoes and go barefoot!

Another place worth reconnoitering is El Castillo Museo y Jardines, a caslte built in 1930 that has been converted into a museum. Likewise, if history is your thing, then be sure to visit some of the many downtown churches such as cathedral Metropolitana overlooking Parque de Bolivar.

If you find yourself with a day off, we recommend you check out Piedra de Penol and the nearby town of Guatape. The unique geologic formation, which is about an hour away, is reminiscent of Devil’s Tower in the United States, and is essentially a large rock that visitors are able to climb. Fear not, you do not need to be an experience rock climber to enjoy Piedra de Penol as there are 721 steps leading to the top where you’ll find a shop, with a market, colorful house, and an overlook of the lakes at the bottom.

Back in town, you can satisfy your hunger at any number of restaurants, such as El Hato Viejo, which will offer a common Colombian plate called “Bandeja Paisa.” The traditional meal is known for being massive and combines such foods as rice, red beans, grounded dry meat, sweet plantain, chorizo, morcilla, deep-fried pork skin and avocado in a tortilla and tops it off with a fried eggs.

Medellín is also known for its nightlife. If you think you can dance, then pay a visit to Vía de Las Palmas, which is popular among both locals and tourists. Also, be sure to visit Medellín’s most popular nightspot, Mango, located at Carrera 42 no. 67A-151 (tel. 4/277-6123). Purportedly the largest dance club in all of Latin America, Mango boasts an out-going, festival-like atmosphere.

Here’s a list of some other of Medellin’s top hotspots according to off2colombia.com:

– 3 Cordilleras Medellin
– Babylon Disco
– Kukaramakara
– Dance Salsa
– B-Lounge
– La Strada
– Medellin El Blue

Keep in mind that most clubs will cost you about COL$20,000 to get in, which is about $10 USD, and tend to close around 5 a.m.

Be sure to visit the PokerStars Blog during August 7-12, 2012 for the latest chip counts, seat draws, prize payouts and gallery photos from the LAPT Colombia National Poker Championship.

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