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7:05pm: Final table set, eight return tomorrow at 12 PM
Level 26 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (5,000)

After the elimination of Bruno Politano in 9th place, the final eight players bagged and tagged their chips for Day 4 of the LAPT9 Chile Main Event. Unfortunately for poker fans across South America and the world, that will be the final day of this LAPT festival, as the Main Event field will play down to a champion tomorrow.

We won’t get into a full rundown of what happened today, we’ll let Jack Stanton do that here and let you do it yourself, as all the Day 3 LAPT9 Chile updates are below. Until then, check out the official final table seating assignments and chip counts…

6:40pm: Bruno Politano eliminate in 9th place ($12,460)
Level 26 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (5,000)

Remember when we said we were going on a quick 15 minute break at the end of the level? Well, with just a few seconds remaining in Level 26, Bruno Politano hit the rail in 9th place and the official final table bubble burst. That hand was picked up after close to an hour of short stack jockeying between a few players, as each picked their spots well and were never looked up when they did attempt to take down the blinds or a pot.

Unfortunately for Politano, he was the first to get looked up and, eventually, the last. He moved all-in for 720,000 from middle position and after some folds, Richard Dubini asked for a count in the small blind. He eventually called and after the big blind folded, it was a flip for the Brazilian’s tournament life. He held A♥ K♣ , Dubini turned over Q♣ Q♦ and there were nearly 1,500,000 chips up for grabs.

After the J♣ 10♥ 4♣ flop, “Foster” still needed help and after the J♠ paired the board on the turn, he was drawing to just six outs. None came though, as the 9♥ completed the board and confirmed that this LAPT9 Chile final table will play out without one of the bigger names we saw take to the felt this weekend.

In the end, Politano wasn’t complaining. He was in good spirits as he wished the rest of the final table luck, including the two remaining Brazilians, Rodrigo Strong and Roberly Fericio. They’ll come back at the top of the leaderboard, with a complete Day 3 recap and final table preview coming shortly. — WOC

6:40pm: No dinner, short break before final table push begins
Level 26 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (5,000)

While the daily LAPT9 Chile Main Event calls for a dinner break after six levels each day, the tournament staff has given the players a few options heading towards the final third of Level 26. They’ve talked amongst each other and elected to forgo today’s dinner break, instead taking a 15 minute break at the end of the level.

They’ll then, hopefully, return to Level 27 to play towards that final table. The remaining eight players can then take as long as they’d like for dinner, instead of being confined to the 75 minute window we’ve had over the last three days.

A full update of the chip counts will be posted when that break begins. — WOC

6:25pm: Level up, Pohmasevic picks up a pot
Level 26 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (5,000)

The blinds and antes have gone up again and that should put some more pressure on the shorter stacks at the final table. As it stands, Carlos Pohmasevic is still the low man but even though he’s working ten big blinds, he was just able to pick up a decent pot without having to go to showdown.

Aqviles Espinoza opened to 80,000 from middle position and after the table folded to Pohmasevic, he went into the tank in the big blind. Most players, when working a ten big blind stack, would think that that is a fit or fold spot. Meaning, you are either all-in or folding.

Pohmasevic didn’t do either, instead calling to see the 6♣ 6♥ 2♣ flop. He went back to the tank after the board fell and then announced himself “all-in”. Espinoza cringed and while he likely would have called for just a handful of more big blinds pre flop, he couldn’t commit the chips after seeing three cards.

It was an unconventional way to play the hand but it worked for Pohmasevic on this occasion. He’s now playing just under 450,000. — WOC

6:15pm: The room’s buzzing, but the action’s slowed
Level 25 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000)

It’s typical right? We get elimination after elimination, bust out after bust out, so quick that almost can’t keep up. And then when we only need one more, the action slows right down.

However, there’s plenty of action going on in other parts of the room as more side events are taking place. We’re seeing plenty of the faces who have become so familiar over the past few days including Juan Carlos Duran, Daniella Horno, Dan Denghel, and even two-time LAPT champ (yep, you heard me: TWO-time LAPT champ) Mario Lopez take their seats in these events. –JS

5:55pm: One-table action so far
Level 25 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000)

Well, not a whole lot has happened on the unofficial final table so far, but here’s on hand you might be interested in.

Rodrigo Strong opened for 70,000 and it folded around to Fabian Chauriye in the big blind who made the call. The two saw a 8♥ 10♠ 5♣ flop hit the felt and both players checked it, taking us to the 3♥ turn. Now Chauriye – who had a deep run at the PCA Main Event in January – led for 66,000; Strong went nowhere.

The river was the 4♦ and now the bet from Chauriye was 105,000. Strong made a pretty quick call but mucked when Chauriye turned over his A♣ 10♦ . That sent his stack up to 1.26 million, and Strong’s down to 2.5 million. –JS

5:40pm: Final table set, Strong holds commanding lead
Level 25 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000)

With 30 minutes remaining in Level 25, the unofficial final table of the LAPT9 Chile Main Event has begun. As it stands, we are one elimination away from the end of Day 3 and that could be sooner, rather than later, as there are a few short stacks.

Rodrigo Strong isn’t one of them, as he holds a commanding lead on this final table lineup. The Brazilian is playing just shy of 2,800,000 and a complete list of the remaining counts is provided below. — WOC

5:25pm: Alfredo Torres eliminated in 10th place($10,240); final table beckons
Level 25 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000)

After the elimination of Fernando Martinez, there was a slight lull in the action before big pots played out on both tables. The first, saw Bruno Politano bring this LAPT9 Chile Main Event field down to it’s unofficial final table, as the Brazilian sent Alfredo Torres to the rail in 10th place.

That hand was picked up pre flop, with Table 2 folding to a short stacked Torres, who was in the small blind. He then moved all-in for his final 125,000 and Politano called in the big blind, looking to score the knockout.

He’d need to hit to do so, as he held 10♥ 8♣ to Torres’ K♦ 8♦ . He did just that on the 10♠ 7♦ 4♦ flop but even though he paired his ten, he still had to fade his opponent’s flush draw.

“You gave me a ten, now hold!” Politano shouted across the table in Portuguese, eloquently translated by PokerStars Brazil reporter Sergio Prado. The dealer listened, even giving “Foster” another ten on the turn for good measure. After the 10♣ and 2♣ completed the board, Politano could celebrate and Torres hit the rail one spot short of the final table.

While Table 2 all congratulated themselves at making the final nine, there was a chance we could be down to eight. That’s because Richard Dubini was all-in and at risk on Table 1, although he held A♦ A♠ and looked like a sure thing to double.

He did, calling Aqviles Espinoza’s all-in after the big stack shoved the small blind with A♥ 5♦ . The Argentine woke up with it in the big and even though is opponent flopped a five, he kept his advantage through the turn and river to multiply his stack by two. He’s now over seven-figures for the first time in this event and a complete update of the chip counts will be posted shortly. — WOC

5:15pm: Fernando Martinez falls in 11th ($10,240)
Level 25 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000)

Wow, it’s all kicking off. We’ve just lost another and this time it’s Fernando Martinez from Argentina.

Alex Vega opened with a min-raise on the button to 60,000 and Ricardo Matamala threw his small blind hand away. However, Martinez shoved from the big blind for 147,000 total and it was an easy call for Vega who had 10♥ 10♠ . Martinez needed to hit with his K♥ 9♥ and we went to the flop.

Here’s how it looked: 10♣ 8♥ 2♦ . Yep, a ten in the window all but sealed Martinez’ fate, and the 5♠ turn and 2♣ river nailed the coffin closed. He leaves us with $10,240 in prize money, while Vega is still with us with a big stack of 2.4 million. –JS

5:05pm: Andy Finkelberg out in 12th ($8,700)
Level 25 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000)

They’re dropping like flies here today and that means the PokerStars Blog team might actually be able to eat some food soon.

Andy Finkelberg from Argentina is our latest victim. After Bruno Politano made it 72,000 to go, Roberly Fericio made it 185,000 from the small blind and Finkelberg then jammed around 400,000. Politano made a super-speedy call and that scared Fericio out the pot. It was then heads up.

Bruno Politano A♠ A♣
Andy Finkelberg 10♣ 10♠

It was clear why Politano was so fast in his decision – he’d been dealt pocket rockets. The run out of 6♣ Q♠ 3♠ 7♣ 5♥ gave no help and Finkelberg is outta here. Meanwhile, Politano is up to around 700,000 now. –JS

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4:55pm: Back from break, level up, dozen remain
Level 25 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000)

After a flurry of action and eliminations ended the last hour-long period of play, the remaining 12 players are back from break and ready to start Level 25. With a dozen players still alive, we are just three eliminations away from our final table redraw.

Those nine players will make the unofficial final table, as only eight will return to play down to an LAPT9 Chile Main Event champion tomorrow. The PokerStars blog will be here to bring you all that action as we move towards that final table, with a list of updated counts provided below. — WOC

4:40pm: Alejandro Rodriguez eliminated in 13th ($8,700)
Level 24 – Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000)

The man who has pulled off some of this event’s most audacious bluffs has left us in 13th.

After Roberly Fericio opened to 55,000 it folded around to Alejandro Rodriguez – the skilled-bluffer (and all-round player) in question. He moved all-in for his last 304,000 and we were off to the races after Fericio made the call. Here’s how the hands looked:

Alejandro Rodriguez 10♠ 10♦
Roberly Fericio A♠ K♥

The flop was safe for Rodriguez as there was no ace, king or draw on the 4♥ 9♣ 5♦ . The turn was safe too – the 9♠ changed nothing.

But royalty landed on the river with the K♠ and Fericio let out a big cheer. Rodriguez is an experienced pro and took it all in his stride, shaking hands with friends and the other players before hitting the cage to collect his $8,700 in prize money.

The players have now gone on a 15-minute break – we’ll come back with the chip counts of the final 12. –JS

4:25pm Javier Venegas eliminated in 14th place ($7,600)
Level 24 – Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000)

Action stayed at the feature table, as Javier Venegas made a move that likely could have worked had Alex Vega not picked up a massive hand in the big blind. A few hands after Manuel Urrejola was sent to the rail, Table 1 folded to Venegas, who was in the small blind. He limped and after some thought, Vega put in a raise in the big blind.

Almost immediately, Venegas announced himself “all-in” and after Vega called, in a flash an over 1,200,000 chip pot was up for grabs. Venegas looked like instantly regretted his move, as Vega tabled A♦ Q♦ and needed to hold to double through Argentine’s 10♣ 3♥ . He did, as the K♠ Q♣ 4♦ 9♥ 5♥ board kept Vega’s big ace in the lead and skyrocketed him up the leaderboard.

When the stacks were cut down, Venegas was left with just over 40,000 and he was all-in on the next hand. Ricardo Matamala and Rodrigo Strong checked down a Q♥ 10♣ 6♠ 2♥ 8♦ board and Venegas was sent to the rail in 14th place after Matamala showed J♣ 10♠ . Venegas will make $7,600 for his deep run and we are now quickly just a few spots from the final table. — WOC

4:25pm Manuel Urrejola eliminated in 15th place ($7,600)
Level 24 – Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000)

Almost immediately after Francisco Benitez was sent to the rail in 16th place, we lost the first player from our feature table lineup. That player was Manuel Urrejola and, you guessed it, it was Rodrigo Strong that did it.

Strong opened to 54,000 from the cutoff and Urrejola, on the button, three-bet shoved for just over 360,000. The blinds folded and Strong snap called, not worrying himself with the size of the short stack, instead just tabling A♥ A♣ . Urrejola could only laugh as he turned over A♠ K♣ , as he waited all day for this spot only to see his opponent turn up with aces.

Those aces held through the K♠ J♥ 7♠ 4♥ 10♥ runout to add another scalp to Strong’s Day 3 bounty list. He’s been on a tear and is now playing 2,160,000 with just a few minutes remaining in Level 24. — WOC

4:20pm Francisco Benitez eliminated in 16th place ($6,700)
Level 24 – Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000)

After a slow period of play opened these final two tables, the action exploded heading towards the end of Level 24. That action started on Table 2, where Francisco Benitez hit the rail courtesy of Bruno Politano.

Action was picked up pre flop, with Politano opening to 56,000 from the hijack. Benitez, in the cut off, then three-bet shoved for less than a min-raise. His all-in amount was for 102,000 and after the rest of the table folded, the Brazilian quickly called to try to score the knockout.

It was a flip, as Benitez held 4♣ 4♥ to the bigger stack’s A♠ J♥ and before the flop, the always sporting Politano and Benitez exchanged a good luck handshake. They’d been playing together for the better part of the last two days but Benitez’s run was over after the board double paired, Q♣ 8♣ 8♥ K♣ K♥ and Politano’s high card played.

The Brazilian stacked up just over 625,000 and Benitez will make $6,700 for his 16th place finish. Shortly after he was sent to the rail, two more players followed… — WOC

4:15pm Quiet pressure
Level 24 – Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000)

It’s been somewhat quiet since we got down to 16 but Ricardo Matamala has been using the lull to apply pressure and pick up chips. In one hand, Rodrigo Strong opened to 50,000 and Javier Venegas three-bet to 125,000. From the big blind Matamala – who came into Day 3 as chip leader – shoved for 1 million and Venegas, who 640,000 behind, went deep into the tank for around five minutes. He eventually gave it up, and the mohawked Chilean raked in a nice pot. –JS

4:00pm Two tables, ‘feature table’ the ‘Strongest’
Level 24 – Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000)

After a flurry of bust outs, we’re down to our final two tables. That means that 16 players remain and unfortunately, only half of them are going to lock up a spot at tomorrow’s LAPT9 Chile Main Event final table.

That final table will played out on the feature table and right now, that lineup is absolutely stacked. Rodrigo Strong headlines Table 1 and the remaining field, as he’s playing 1,740,000. That’s good for the overall chip lead and the only other two members of the Millionaire’s Club are in close quarters.

Ricardo Matamala and Richard Dubini are both playing over seven-figures so we could see some serious action from this group before the night is over. That will be when we’re down to eight and the PokerStars blog will bring you all that action, with a complete redraw listed below.

3:52pm Three bust-outs in quick succession
Level 24 – Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000)

We’ve lost three players in rapid fashion here in Chile and we’re now down to 16. So, here’s the important info:

Rodrigo Rishmague moved all-in for his last 80,000 and got a call from his namesake Rodrigo Strong, who seems to be playing every hand. As chip leader, it’s kind of his right.

Strong Q♦ 8♦
Rishmague A♥ J♠

Rashmague was at risk but ahead – until the J♥ Q♣ 4♥ flop was dealt. The 9♥ and 3♠ on the turn and river changed nothing. Rishmague is out in 19th for $5,980.

THEN

Felipe Ruiz moved all-in on the button and got a snap-call from Richard Dubini in the small blind. Strong gave up his big and the cards were on their backs.

Ruiz A♠ 6♦
Dubini 8♣ 8♦

Ruiz needed an ace and he got one; the only trouble was Dubini got an eight too. It came A♦ 4♦ 8♥ 10♥ 9♥ and Ruiz left us in 18th, also for $5,980.

AND THEN, IN THE VERY NEXT HAND

Dubini continued playing executioner straight away when Carlos Schmidt shoved for around 115,000 with K♠ 6♦ and the tattooed Argentinian was his only caller with A♠ 6♠ .

If we’ve said it before we’ve said it again – it’s good to be Dubini. The board ran out Q♠ 6♣ 3♠ 10♠ 4♥ , so although Schmidt took an early lead Dubini held the nuts by the turn.

Schmidt left us in 17th for $6,700 and we’re all caught up. –JS

3:39pm A new level
Level 24 – Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000)

We’ve moved into Level 24 and the price of poker is getting expensive. –JS

3:35pm Strong scores another knockout, Chauriye takes down a big one
Level 23 – Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000)

You need to win flips to win tournaments and Rodrigo Strong has done just that nearly every time he has a short stack all-in and at risk. He just sent another player to the rail, claiming Andres Achelat has his most recent victim.

The Brazilian big stack opened to 40,000 from early position and after some folds, Achelat moved all-in for just over 100,000 from the button. The blinds folded and after he got a quick count, Strong called and tabled K♥ 10♥ . It was a flip against 9♣ 9♦ and while Strong didn’t pair up, he did run out to a flush to score the knockout.

The board fell Q♣ 7♥ 6♥ 5♠ A♥ and after rivering five hearts, Strong found himself moving up and over the 1,500,000 chip mark. Achelat hit the rail in 20th place and that earned him a small jump to $5,980.

One player who isn’t making small jumps but big ones through Level 23 is Javier Chauriye. After eliminating Oscar Riera earlier, he’s now playing close to 800,000 after winning a massive four-bet pot against Alejandro Rodriguez. The uber-aggressive Argentine opened the button to 43,000 and Chauriye three-bet to 112,000 from the big blind.

Rodriguez went deep into the tank, like he has done time and time again, before he clicked it back to 188,000. The Chilean thought for a few moments and then called to see the A♥ K♦ 6♦ flop. Both players checked and Chauriye checked for a second time after the 9♣ fell on the turn. Rodriguez then stabbed at the pot with a 139,000 chip bet, that was more or less snap called and after the J♥ completed the board, both players went back to tapping the table like they did on the flop.

Chauriye turned over A♦ Q♥ and his top pair was good, earning him a nice bump up the leaderboard. Rodriguez still has a very comfortable stack in front of him as well, as he’s working close to 650,000. –WOC

3:19pm Pohmasevic doubles, Oscar Riera hits the rail
Level 23 – Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000)

A few minutes after Rodrigo Strong recorded another Day 3 elimination, Javier Venegas tried to do the same on Table 3. Short stack Carlos Pohmasevic moved all-in for 115,000 from under the gun and Venegas called to put him at risk from the cutoff. The rest of the table folded and Venegas had to hit to score the knockout, as he held K♠ Q♦ to Pohmasevic’s A♣ 10♣ .

He couldn’t, as the board ran out eight-high, with neither player holding a heart on the 8♥ 7♥ 2♦ 2♥ 10♥ board. That meant Pohmasevic’s rivered pair was good, bumping him up to a quarter-million, while Venegas is still very well stacked with 690,000.

While Pohmasevic was doubling, Oscar Riera failed to do so on Table 1. He lost a flip for his tournament life, A♦ K♥ losing to Fabian Chauriye’s 6♣ 6♠ . He’d bow out in 21st place, good for a $5,240 score. — WOC

3:15pm Teodoulou ousted by Strong
Level 23 – Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000)

Jorge Teodoulou may have pulled off some plucky bluffs and some great plays, but there’s not much you can do when you’re in a race and it’s up to the Poker Gods.

After Richard Dubini opened to 40,000 in the hijack, chipleader Rodrigo Strong called on the button. Teodoulou then shoved for 375,000 total and it folded around to Strong who had a decision to make.

As Strong has been doing all day, he was thinking out loud, discussing potential ranges (he told us afterwards). He eventually made the call and flipped over A♥ 9♦ , meaning he had two over-cards to Teodoulou’s 7♣ 7♠ . He’d hit one instantly on the A♦ 4♠ 4♣ flop, and the 10♠ turn and J♠ river couldn’t save Teodoulou. He left in 22nd good for $5,240, while Strong climbs to 1.44 million. –JS

3:05pm Massive pot for Vega as he gets Torres to lay it down
Level 23 – Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000)

Lot of pre-flop action over on the feature table as Alex Vega and Alfredo Torres – two of the older players remaining in the field – have been battling it out.

In one big hand, Torres opened to 44,000 only for Vega to come back with a raise to 97,000. Now Torres four-bet to 244,000, and Vega insta-shoved for 384,000!

Torres had invested so much and it was only 140,000 more to call, but he laid it down and Vega scooped it. He now has 670,000, while Torres has 260,000 remaining. –JS

2:58pm Tactical play on all three tables
Level 23 – Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000)

Over the last 15 minutes, the pace of play has slowed and that is somewhat expected. The current chip average is relatively deep, just over 25 big blinds, and the uber-short stacks that drove the action through the first two levels have all either doubled or hit the rail.

That leaves this remaining LAPT9 Chile Main Event field in an interesting spot and they’re playing some interesting pots across all three tables. Most of that play has been very tactical, with well-timed and perfectly sized three-bets putting an end to most of the early action.

A handful of pots have gotten past that stage but we could probably count the meaningful hands that make it to the river on one hand. Regardless of that pace, whether it be fast or slow, the PokerStars blog will be here throughout the next few levels, as this field still needs to lose 14 players before our eight-handed final table is set. –WOC

2:45pm Dubini doubles through Teodoulou
Level 23 – Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000)

While the rest of the action was been relatively slow through the first half of Level 23, Table 2 is giving us enough to talk about. Richard Dubini opened the level with a double and the battles between he, Rodrigo Strong and Jorge Teodoulou have created some decent action over the last half hour.

That Dubini double was picked up pre flop, with the a player opening to 43,000 from late position. Dubini, who was on the button, then three-bet to 101,000 and after a fold, Teodoulou four-bet shoved from the big blind. The opener folded and the Argentine couldn’t get the chips in quick enough, as he snap called and tabled Q♥ Q♦ .

Teodoulou had his opponent covered by a quarter-million but he was drawing thin, holding 9♣ 9♦ . The K♥ K♣ 7♣ changed nothing and the Q♣ gave Dubini a full house while confirming his double. As he cut down his 282,000 chip stack, the river cruelly brought the 9♣ , giving Teodoulou an inferior full house. When the dust settled, Dubini was up and over 600,000 while Jorge Teodoulou was playing 245,000. — WOC

2:32pm Back in action
Level 23 – Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000)

Players are back for Level 23 – check out the chips counts.

2:19pm Break time – Strong leads
Level 22 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000)

Players will be back in ten minutes or so as move into Level 23.

2:17pm Kings make it “easy” for Strong
Level 22 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000)

While Ricardo Matamala lead when the final 24 players redrew for their new seats, there is a new chip leader heading into the first break of Day 3. Rodrigo Strong just won a massive pot with pocket kings, to move him well past the 1,000,000 chip mark.

Action was picked up with Strong opening to 32,000 and next to act, Jorge Teodoulou cut out a three-bet to 73,000. The table folded around to Diego Vizcay, who was on the button, and he inspected the action in front of him for close to two minutes before he announced himself “all-in”. The blinds quickly passed and Strong re-checked his cards and shot Teodoulou a quick look before he made the same declaration.

Teodoulou didn’t like the spot and with a snarl, threw his hand into the muck. He’s likely glad he did though, as Strong tabled K♣ K♦ . The second best starting hand in poker had Vizcay drawing to just three immediate outs, as the shorter stack held A♦ Q♠ . Those outs disappeared after the K♠ 9♥ 7♣ flop though, as he was left looking for running cards to save his tournament life.

They didn’t come, as the 5♦ and 3♣ confirmed his 23rd place elimination. He’ll make $5,240 for his efforts and Rodrigo Strong will likely have his sights set near the top of the payout structure, as he’s the first player to break seven-figures. After the dust settled and the massive stack was neatly put together, a player said, “Nice hand.” to which Strong replied, “Kings make it pretty easy.”

Happy times for chipleader Rodrigo StrongIt has been relatively “easy” for the Brazilian so far on Day 3 and he’ll now return to Level 23 with just shy of 1,400,000. A complete and updated look at the chip counts can be found via the links on the right hand side of the LAPT9 Chile blog. –WOC

2:16pm Zapata says sayonara
Level 22 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000)

Meet your 24th place finisher – Carlos Zapata.

He met his demise when he opened from middle position – a huge open of 65,000. Alejandro Rodriguez then put out a big raise himself and it folded round to Zapata who shoved and got a quick call.

Carlos Zapata A♦ K♣
Alejandro Rodriguez Q♣ Q♠

The ladies would hold as the board ran 6♥ 5♣ J♠ 10♦ 5♥ , sending Zapata to the cage to collect his $4,500. Meanwhile, Rodriguez moves up to 600,000. –JS

2:11pm A Chauriye straight
Level 22 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000)

We haven’t heard much from Fabian Chauriye today, but we did just see him pick up a nice pot from Alejandro Rodriguez.

It started with a pre-flop open to 33,000 from Rodriguez on the button, and Chauriye called from the big blind. The two saw the dealer spread the 9♦ 10♥ A♦ flop and Chauriye checked to the raiser who continued for the same amount – 34,000. Chauriye threw in calling chips.

The 8♠ hit the turn and – once again – it went check check (turns are becoming dull, right?) but then the 7♣ hit the river. Now Chauriye led out for 77,000 and Rodriguez snap-called. However, he mucked when he saw Chauriye’s J♠ 9♣ for a straight. Rodriguez is now playing 430,000, while Chauriye moves up to around the 600,000 mark. –JS

2:06pm Strong pained
Level 22 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000)

On a flop of 8♥ 9♣ 3♦ , Rodrigo Strong checked over to Jorge Teodoulou – a player who’s been quite active here on Day 3. Teodoulou bet 45,000 which got Strong to stick around.

The two saw the 3♠ hit the turn, and it so often does on a turn it went check check. Now the 10♥ landed on the river and Strong checked once more. Teodoulou looked over at his opponent, then back to his chips, and counted out a big bet of 129,000 which he slid across the felt.

Strong squirmed in his seat, and started thinking out loud to himself. He did not look comfortable at all.

Rodrigo had a Strong inkling he was beatIn the end he gave it up, but we caught Teodoulou bluffing on the river earlier (see our 1:10pm post) and we hope for Strong’s sake he wasn’t doing it again. –JS

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1:58pm Pohmasevic doubles
Level 22 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000)

Carlos Pohmasevic was very short – down to just 105,000 – and he moved it all-in after Manuel Urrejola opened to 35,000. Urrejola was the only caller ith Q♣ J♣ , meaning Pohmasevic was ahead with his 6♥ 6♠ . The 9♣ K♦ 9♠ flop gave Urrejola a gutshot as well as two overs, but the board bricked for him with the 9♥ and 3♦ . Urrejola dips to 250,000, while Pohmasevic doubles to 260,000. –JS

1:48pm Three tables remain, Matamala still leads
Level 22 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000)

With the elimination of Julian Pineda in 25th place, we are now down to our final three tables. The players have redrawn for their new seats and will now resume play in Level 22 with just over 30 minutes on the clock. It should be noted that this field will redraw again when 16 players remain and then, for a third time, when we are down to our final nine.

So far, Ricardo Matamala has continued his run, as he remains the chip leader midway through Level 22. A complete list of the new seating assignments is provided below. — WOC

1:38pm Pineda ships a double, then hits the rail to bring redraw
Level 22 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000)

The action has been centered around Table 1 over the last few hands, as Aqviles Espinoza found a huge double and then Julian Pineda, who shipped that double, hit the rail in the very next hand. Action was picked up with the table folding to Espinoza in the small blind and the Chilean then raised to 35,000.

After some thought, Pineda announced himself “all-in” from the big blind and that was a sizable bet, as Espinoza’ effective stack weighed in just shy of 375,000. After close to three minutes of thought, Espinoza finally called and he was glad he did, as he had Pineda dominated.

The slightly shorter stack held 9♣ 9♦ and Pineda needed to find a deuce to score the knockout, as he held 2♣ 2♠ . The 10♥ 10♣ 4♥ flop kept Espinoza in the lead and after the 10♠ fell on the turn, the double was confirmed. He didn’t realize that though, so when the 2♥ fell, meaninglessly, on the river, he thought he had lost.

He threw his hands in the air, disgusted by the final card, until Pineda, tapped his shoulder and pointed at the board to explain why his full house didn’t play. From a look of despair to a look of complete euphoria, Espinoza jumped from his chair and looked to point a hand towards the sky, thanking whatever poker gods kept his pocket nines alive.

When the dust settled, Pineda was left with just under 90,000 and in the very next hand, he was involved in a three-way all-in, with Oscar Riera moving all-in from early position. He had 86,000 in front of him and his shove was overtop of a Javier Venegas open. Pineda shoved for less form the small blind and Venegas called to try to score the double knockout.

He couldn’t, as his 6♥ 6♠ fell despite flopping a set, as Riera’s Q♥ Q♣ hit one as well. Pineda’s 8♥ 8♦ couldn’t find three of a kind on the Q♦ 6♦ 5♣ 4♥ J♥ runout and he was officially eliminated in 25th place. Riera will now take over 250,000 into the three table redraw, with those assignments coming shortly. — WOC

1:30pm Two lucky doubles for Urrejola
Level 22 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000)

Manuel Urrejola must be in the good books of the Poker Gods as they’ve rewarded him twice today so far.

Despite being crippled earlier, Urrejola doubled when he got his 9♣ 8♥ in against Carlos Zapata’s A♥ A♣ and cracked them when the board ran out Q♣ 10♠ 7♥ 6♦ 6♠ , having made a straight on the turn.

Then he doubled again through Diego Vizcay, this time with 10♣ J♥ vs A♦ Q♠ . It came 8♥ 10♠ K♠ K♦ 8♦ and he survived once more. Urrejola now has 270,000 while Vizcay dips to 545,000. –JS

1:20pm The Strong Politano rivalry continues
Level 22 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000)

Sat right next to each other, Rodrigo Strong and Bruno Politano have been developing something of a rivalry here this morning. We’ve caught several hands they’ve played just against each other, and they’re always juicy.

Strong has been putting Politano to the test for his tournament life, despite them both having similar stacks. Stay tuned to find out his this one plays out. –JS

Politano hopes to get Strong1:10pm Nice call from Vega
Level 22 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000)

Two of the biggest stacks this morning belonged to Alex Vega and Jorge Teodoulou, and the two are battling a bit today.

In one hand, we picked up the action on a Q♣ 7♣ 9♠ flop. Vega checked and Teodoulou led for 43,000 which was called. The turn came the J♣ , and both players checked, bringing another jack on the river – the J♥ . Vega checked once more and Teodoulou thought for a while before sliding out an even 100,000. Vega snapped it off, flipping over 8♠ 8♥ despite there being two overcards on the board and flush potential. He was right though as Teodoulou was bluffing with A♦ 3♠ . Nice call.

Teodoulou drops to 575,000, while Vega now has 550,000. –JS

1:04pm Blinds up
Level 22 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000)

We’ve moved into Level 22 and we’re playing 8,000/16,000 with a 2,000 ante. –JS

1pm Fabian Ortiz will have to wait for third title
Level 21 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000)

Midway through Day 2, it looked like Fabian Ortiz was setting himself up for another LAPT final table run but after a rough finish last night, he returned today below the chip average. Players coming in with that kind of stack usually need to win their first all-in encounter to contend and early in Level 22, Ortiz had that opportunity.

After Fernando Martinez opened to 26,000 from the cutoff, Rodrigo Strong called on the button. The small blind passed and Ortiz, who was playing close to 195,000, then three-bet shoved from the big blind. Martinez didn’t even need a count, just eyeballing the Argentine’s stack before he verbalized “call”. Strong quickly got out of the way and Ortiz was flipping for his tournament life with 7♣ 7♥ .

He stood and walked away from the table when he saw his opponent’s A♥ K♥ . The last time he did that, when he was all-in with pocket aces on Day 2, he returned to a chip leading stack but after the K♣ 10♠ 8♥ flop, it didn’t look like he’d have the same result this time around. The K♠ put him in an even bigger whole on the turn and after the 5♠ fell on the river, Ortiz’s elimination was confirmed.

The two-time LAPT champion will make $4,500 for his run and suddenly, Fernando Martinez is playing over 725,000 and looking like one of the top stacks heading towards the final three tables. –WOC

12:50pm Morbiducci falls, Roberly rises, Urrejola crippled
Level 21 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000)

After losing a flip to Fernando Martinez, Felipe Morbiducci was left with just under 40,000 and in one of the very next hands, that short stack got in the middle. Action was picked up with Rodrigo Strong opening to 27,000 from the button and Bruno Politano, in the small blind, pumped it to 74,000.

Morbiducci moved all-in for less from the big blind and after some thought, Strong called to see the Q♦ J♦ 3♥ flop. Politano then bet what looked to be 65,000 and Strong quickly folded 10♦ 10♥ face up. Politano’s aggression had pushed his Brazilian counterpart out of the hand and Strong hated to see what he was forced out with, as Politano turned over A♦ 10♠ .

He’d need to hold against Morbiducci’s A♥ 8♦ and he did, as the turn and river bricked out to send the Chilean to the rail in 28th place. Politano stacked up just shy of 655,000 and few hands later, another Brazilian was moving on up. Roberly Fericio doubled through Richard Dubini, with the chips getting all-in on the J♦ 10♣ 2♦ flop.

The Brazilian held K♦ Q♦ for an open ended straight draw and Dubini held A♥ J♠ for top pair. The 6♣ turn didn’t change anything but the Q♥ river did, bringing a roar from Roberly, who was not only given a second life but also found himself with 550,000 after the stacks were cut down. Dubini has now shipped two early doubles through the first level, dropping him down to a below average 330,000.

A few hands later, the action was missed but when the dust settled, Manuel Urrejola was crippled and left with just a handful of big blinds. Rodrigo Rishmague was the one who did the damage, as he rivered the second nut flush to double up near 400,000. Shortly after, Daniel Denghel lost a flip to Andres Achelat, 10♥ 10♠ to the short stack’s A♦ J♥ on a runout of Q♦ 5♣ 2♠ Q♥ 5♦ . Denghel hit the rail in 27th place, while Achelat, who came back for Day 3 as one of the short stacks, is now working 300,000.

Prior to those eliminations, Lucas Churi hit the rail in 30th place and Rodrigo Mac Lean bowed out in 31st. Each, along with the players mentioned in this update, save for Denghel, will make $3,900. Daniel Denghel will make $4,500 as he earned a slight jump. –WOC

12:38pm Nazar can’t go far
Level 21 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000)

After Carlos Zapata opened to 31,000, Hugo Nazar three-bet jammed for his last 133,000. It folded back around to Zapata and he called with A♣ 10♥ – which needed help against Nazar’s J♣ J♠ .

It got help quickly on the A♥ K♠ 7♣ flop, and the 3♥ turn and 10♦ river only improve Zapata’s holding. Nazar hits the cage, while Zapata moves up to around 500,000. –JS

12:25pm Achelat’s phone call is clearly important
Level 21 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000)

We’re on Day 3 of a major tournament, but yet Andres Achelat clearly has more important things on his mind – such as answering his phone.

He moved all-in pre-flop and found one caller in Fernando Martinez, something Achelat seemed completely unmoved by as he just wanted to answer his phone. He had J♣ J♠ against Martinez’ A♦ K♠ but the board was kind to the latter, running out Q♦ 5♠ 7♦ 5♦ 6♦ and giving Martinez a much needed double with a flush.

Achelat is crippled with just 38,000, while Martinez now has 385,000. –JS

12:20pm Strong start for Strong
Level 21 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000)

It’s an easy play-on-words that we’re probably going to use a lot throughout the day, but Rodrigo Strong really has got off to a mighty strong start here on Day 3.

After he opened to 24,000, Bruno Politano called from his immediate right and it folded to Lucas Churi on the button who three-bet to 69,000 total. It folded back to Strong and he then shoved, with more chips than Churi. Politano got out of the way, and Churi went into the tank.

He thought for about a minute before calling and flipping over K♦ K♥ – something that Politano couldn’t believe. “Whaa! Slow roll!” he said, followed by some more articulate thoughts in Portuguese that unfortunately I couldn’t understand.

Strong had a good hand in A♥ K♠ and needed to hit. The flop came 2♥ 6♠ J♠ , and then a miracle A♠ hit the turn. The 5♦ completed the board and we lost Lucas Churi. Strong now sits with 820,000. –JS

12:15pm Three doubles before Ruiz hits the rail
Level 21 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000)

This Day 3 field has hit the ground running in Level 21, as three short stacks have doubled through the first ten minutes of play. The first of those doubles was picked up on Table 4, as Andres Achelat moved all-in for just over 70,000 from late position. The button folded and Richard Dubini, in the small blind, re-shoved to get short stack Rodrigo Mac Lean out in the big blind. Dubini’s re-shove was more than just an isolation play, as he had his opponent dominate, A♣ 10♠ to A♦ 5♥ .

That domination held through the flop and turn but Achelat rivered a straight on a board of 8♦ 4♦ 3♠ A♠ 2♦ . The reactions from both players were interesting to watch, as the Chilean amateur wildly celebrated in his chair, while the Argentine professional just sat stone-faced behind his wire rim sunglasses. He’d surrender close to 15% of his top-five stack, dropping Dubini down to 550,000, while Achelat got behind 155,000.

A few hands later, Table 2 was home to the pre flop action, as Manual Urrejola was all-in and at risk against Eduardo Ruiz. The Brazilian shoved all-in from the big blind after Urrejola opened in middle position and Urrejola snap called with A♣ K♦ . Ruiz was treading water with A♥ J♦ and while he wasn’t at risk, he was more or less playing for his tournament life, as he had his opponent covered by less than 10,000.

The board ran out clean for Urrejola’s ace-king and after he sent 265,000 across the table, Ruiz was set to be all-in on the very next hand as he couldn’t even afford the ante and small blind. While he awaited his fate on Table 2, Table 3 got in the action, as the always active Alejandro Rodriguez opened to 25,000 from middle position. The table folded to Lucas Churi, who moved all-in for 164,000 from the big blind.

Rodriguez thought for a few moments and then called, with Churi instantly tabling A♥ Q♦ and standing from the table. He turned to see that he was in a great spot, with the Argentine holding A♦ J♠ . Even though he had his opponent dominated, he was still at risk and while he didn’t see it, the 6♦ 5♠ 5♣ 3♦ K♥ runout confirmed his double.

He’s now playing the better part of 330,000 while Rodriguez was cut down to 270,000. While Churi was doubling, Eduardo Ruiz was sent to the rail by Rodrigo Rishmague, meaning Ruiz was the first player to be eliminated from this Day 3 session. He’ll make $3,460 and the next few players eliminated will make a small jump to $3,900. –WOC

12:02pm We’re off and running
Level 21 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000)

Day 3 has officially begun! Don’t go anywhere as we’ll be bringing all the best action of the day as we play down to a final table of eight. –JS

11:30 Day 3 a half hour away…

When close to 200 players came back for yesterday’s Day 2 session, the tournament area was buzzing prior to that restart. Today, with just 32 players coming back for Day 3, the energy is still there, it’s just more contained. Four tables will return, with a wide variety of storylines having the ability to play out as this LAPT9 Chile Main Event field plays down to a final table of eight.

That means we could have a slightly shorter day than usual, especially if this group keeps the fast pace that saw over two dozen players hit the rail in the final two levels last night. That furious finish saw Ricardo Matamala shoot to the top of the leaderboard late in Day 2, winning a pivotal hand at the death with a flopped set.

He’ll come back as the only player over the 800,000 chip mark but a few big stacks and big names are behind him. Jorge Teodoulou and Alex Vega each finished with over 700,000 and Bruno Politano, the man leading a four-headed Brazilian monster into Day 3, comes back with just shy of 650,000. Those players are top of the leaderboard but the biggest name in this field will come back below the chip average, just like he did for Day 2.

Fabian Ortiz has already won two LAPT titles and his first came at Vina del Mar in 2009. He’s hoping that Chilean lightening can strike twice en route to his third LAPT victory but he’ll have his work cut out for him from the start, as he’ll return with just shy of 265,000. Regardless of which players headline the action once we get to our eight-handed final table, the penultimate day of this LAPT9 Chile Main Event should be an exciting one.

The PokerStars blog will be here to follow all the action starting at 12 PM, with a recap of Day 2 here and a list of the returning player’s chip counts, along with payout information, on the right hand side of this page. — WOC

PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at LAPT9 Chile: Will O’Connor and Jack Stanton. Photos by Carlos Monti. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog

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