PokerStars announces details for LAPT
24 Feb 2012
The LAPT returns to Viña del Mar Enjoy Pucon Casino and Resort, Chile, for the opening event from March 21-25. It’s the third time the LAPT has visited Chile and the season opener promises to build on the success of previous LAPT Chile festivals. Last year’s Main Event attracted 621 players and was won by Brazilian Murilo Figueredo, who pocketed USD $146,000. This season even more players are expected to play the USD $1,000 + $100 buy-in Main Event, so capacity has been increased to 1,000 players.
Carolina Elchiver, Corporate Marketing Manager of Enjoy, said: “The Latin American Poker Tour will once again take place at Enjoy Viña del Mar, an iconic city which offers both locals and tourists a unique experience in a beautiful seaside setting. We are very proud to bring a high-calibre tournament with worldwide recognition back to Chile, providing a significant push to the development of tourism within the region and we can’t think of a better way to kick off Season 5 of the LAPT.”
Elchiver added: “For this third visit to Chile, the capacity for the Main Event has been increased to allow up to 1,000 players, so we can cater for the entire Latin American and international poker community. In addition, the seven side events will also have an increased capacity.”
LAPT President David Carrion said: “LAPT Season 5 will be a confirmation of growth and stability for poker and the LAPT brand in the region. Chile and Colombia proved to be record-making destinations in Season 4 and a new demographic opened up with the lower buy-in events. Season 5 will focus on delivering an A-class poker experience to players at all levels.”
Season 5 destinations
All Season 5 destinations have been LAPT stops previously, a conscious effort on the behalf of the tour to establish customary events in each season at retained dates and locations. The revisiting of former LAPT event stops also helps to consolidate relationships with partners and offer consistency for players.
Carrion added: “We are proud to return to the Mantra Resort Spa & Casino in Punta del Este, Uruguay, which has been an ever-present destination since the start of the LAPT. Meanwhile, Centro de Entretenimiento y Convenciones Atlantic City in Peru is a player favourite that offers superb customer service, and Allegre Casino in Colombia has an opportunity to build on the record set last year for the largest LAPT Main Event field of 681 players. The Grand Final will be confirmed at a later date, so watch this space for an announcement.”
Team PokerStars.eu Pro Andre Akkari, who is a familiar face on the LAPT circuit, added:
“I'm very excited about the cities LAPT Season 5 will visit, as most of them have become a traditional stop on the LAPT circuit. I’m expecting these stops to have an increased number of participants and excellent tournament structures, both of which will give me extra motivation to get a great result.”
Players from across Latin America and around the world will have many opportunities to participate, either by buying in directly on-site or qualifying via live or online satellites. The easiest way to play the new LAPT events remains by winning a seat on www.pokerstars.net where daily freerolls awarding entry to the opening event at Vina del Mar have already begun.
Keep up to date with the latest LAPT news via the LAPT Facebook page and by following @PokerStarsLAPT on Twitter. For full details of the LAPT Season 5 schedule, go to www.lapt.com.
Player of the Year
Pablo Gonzalez from Colombia has won the LAPT Season 5 Player of the Year race, ending the season with 1650 points atop the leaderboard.