Amid the crowds, the noise and the television cameras packed into the auditorium at the Costa do Santinho resort, Matthias Habernig, a 19-year-old from Klagenfurt, Austria, travelling through South American on vacation, has won the newest Latin American Poker Tour title in Florianopolis and a cheque for R$435,000.
The young Austrian, who returns home on Monday to begin his national public service, left Brazilian poker fans without a home grown winner, with runner up Dayan Vardanega from Ponta Grossa, unable to overturn Habernig's overwhelming momentum.
LAPT Florianopolis winner Matthias Habernig
Packed crowds on the rail
Habernig surfaced as the chip leader on day one. At that stage he'd put his success down to a great run of cards and not any natural talent, a similar explanation to that given yesterday when he bagged up more than 3 million chips ahead of today's final table. But his modesty did little to veil an obvious natural talent and the stack he'd built was one big enough to swing at anyone who challenged him. But with the exception of one heads-up hand that let Vardanega back in, Habernig didn't put a foot wrong, quickly reining his opponent back in and putting a lid on this superb new LAPT event.
Runner up Dayan Vardanega
Eight players returned this afternoon, and after television preliminaries, got started on what proved to be a quick, no fuss final table.
After just an hour we were down to five players. Former chip leader Rudy Blondeau was the surprise first elimination, then Rodrigo Scartezini and Andre Scaff busted within fifteen minutes. Soon after Robson Kozan, from the same town as Vardanega, departed, leaving four.
When Miguel Velasco departed in third, it left Vardanega and Habernig heads-up, the longest period of play without an elimination during the entire final table. During that time though, Habernig had cemented his lead, breaching the four million mark as others had done whatever they could to keep up.
Habernig and Vardanega
Dayan Vardanega had been the best of those challengers and carried the hopes of a strong local crowd as the last of the five Brazilian finalists. They cheered his every success, but as the last hand played out - Habernig's two pair (aces and tens) getting the better of Vardanega's two pairs (aces and sevens) - they graciously applauded the new champion. Faces from earlier stages of the event returned to see Habernig home, old adversaries who wanted to see how their own adventure could have turned out. They got a champion who will not be long in striking the business end of another major poker tournament.
Heads up
That's all from what is now sunny Florianopolis, where the LAPT came for the first time and will leave a mark long after it has wheeled itself away.
Thanks for following the coverage on the PokerStars Blog. The thanks of myself and Alex Villegas to our Spanish and Brazilian bloggers Sergio Prado and Reinaldo Venegas who helped me identify players, order food and spell things. You can read their work on the Spanish and Portuguese blogs.
Finally, we may not have understood a word we said to each other, but thanks to Carlos Monti for the superlative photography that appeared in the blog this week, shots that gave our otherwise dreary text something to hide behind.
Until next month when the LAPT rolls into Rosario, Argentina, for the season finale, it's good bye from Brazil.
4.45pm: Matthias Habernig wins LAPT Florianopolis.
Dayan Vardanega re-raised Matthias Habernig's preflop bet to 395,000 in what was to be the last hand of the day.
Habernig called, and a [as][7d][10h] flop hit the felt. Vardanega bet 480,000 and Habernig called, bringing the [qd] on the turn. Action was about to get spicy.
Vardanega checked and Habernig bet 650,000. Vardanega responded by moving all-in for his remaining 2 million chips. This produced the last action of the day: Habernig's call.
Vardanega showed [ah][7s], but Habernig showed [ac][10c] for the better two pair. The Brazilians in the crowd jumped up and began to chant for a seven. Their wishes weren't answered as a [jd] came on the river, eliminating Dayan Vardanega in 2nd place. The runner-up, and last Brazilian in the tournament, will take R$251,700.
This makes Matthias Habernig the newest LAPT champion in the world! His reward will be R$435,000 and the prestigious title of LAPT Florianopolis champion.
A full wrap up of today's events will follow shortly.
4.41pm: Back with Habernig
Mathias Habernig now has the advantage back from the Brazilian.
4.40pm: Limping and checking
Matthias Habernig limped in from the button and Vardanega checked his option. The flop, [9c][7d][10c], was checked down. The turn paired the board with a [10d], and Vardanega led out for 130,000. Habernig called and a [js] came on the river. Vardanega check-called Habernig's 350,000 river bet.
Habernig showed [8s][4h] for a straight and Vardanega mucked his hand.
4.30pm: three-bet
On the next hand Matthias Habernig three-bet to 530,000, good for the pot.
4.25pm: Limped pre-flop
Limped pot pre-flop for a flop of [qs][4h][js]. Vardanega checked and Habernig made it 105,000 which was then raised by the Brazilian to 235,000 which Habernig called. The turn came [th] which Vardanega bet at, making it 270,000 which Habernig called for a [5d] river card. Vardanega checked again, then called Habernig's bet of 605,000, showing [jc][8c], but Matthias Habernig showed [qh][5c] to take the pot.
4.20pm: A hearty board
Vardanega raised to 185,000 from the button and Habernig called. The flop came [10h][qh][9h], Vardanega made it 205,000 and Habernig folded.
4.10pm: Showdown
We had a showdown. Here's what happened. Vardanega raised to 190,000 from the button and Habernig called from the big blind.
The flop came [6s][2h][qh] and both players checked. The [2d] on the turn brought another check from Habernig and Vardanega bet out 210,000.
Dayan Vardanega (left) and Matthias Habernig
There was a [js] on the river and another round of checks. Vardanega showed [as][10d] and Habernig mucked.
4.05pm: Continue
Habernig raised to 175,000 and Vardanega called. The flop came [7s][9d][kd], and Vardanega took the pot with a 225,000 continuation bet.
4pm: Level up
A new level, the 29th, with blinds at 40,000-80,000 with a 10,000 ante.
PokerStars Blog reporting team in Florianopolis:(In order of departure tomorrow) Alexander Villegas (17 hours from now), Stephen Bartley (27 hours from now).
3.50pm: Break time
That's the end of the level. Players are taking a five minute break.
3.45pm: the big Mo
Dayan Vardanega seems to have seized the momentum
Habernig opened for 130,000 which Vardanega called for a flop of [qd][7d][7c]. Vardanega checked and Habernig bet 155,000. Vardanega then raised to 335,000 which Habernig called for a [3d] turn card. Again Vardanega checked before Habernig raised to 390,000. At this point Vardanega raised again to 800,000 forcing Habernig to fold.
3.40pm: Raising on the flop
Matthias Habernig opened for 175,000 which Vardanega called for a flop of [7s][9d][kd]. Habernig then made it 225,000 which Vardanega raised to 485,000, taking the pot.
3.35pm: All square
A stalemate of sorts as both players, now even in chips, look to get an advantage.
3.30pm: Not an empty seat
It's practically impossible to get an Empanada around here
3.20pm: All in for the title
Matthias Habernig raises to 130,000 from the button and Dayan Vardanega makes the call. The flop comes [ad][4h][ks], Vardanega checks and Habernig leads out for 155,000. Vardanega calls and we get a turn card, the [4s].
Vardanega checks again and Habernig bets 225,000. Vardanega responds by raising to 485,000. Habernig calls and the [9c] comes on the river. Vardanega moves all-in and Habernig calls, showing [4c][7d] for three fours.
Vardanega also has a four, the [4d]. But he also has a [kh], for the full house and the double-up.
3.15pm: More to Vardanega
Vardanega raised to 165 from the button and Matthias Habernig called. The flop came [kd][7c][2c]. Habernig made it 155,000 which was called. Turn [5h]. Habernig checked and Vardanega bet 180,000 forcing Habernig to fold.
3.06pm: Heads up
Alexandre Richard moved all-in pre-flop for last few hundred thousand. Calling him was Matthias Habernig who showed [as][jd] to Richard's [kc][9s]. Richard would need help, but there was no sign of it on the [qd][3c][5c][6s][4d] board. Richard departs in third place for R$154,000. We're heads up.
3.03pm: Richard down some more
Habernig takes one off of Richard. Habernig raises to 120,000 and Richard just calls this time. The flop comes [qs][jc][5d] and Habernig bets out 155,000 and Richard folds.
3pm: And again
For an account of the very next hand simply read the account of the hand below. Exactly the same.
2.58pm: Richard ready
Matthias Habernig raised to 125,000 and Alex Richard moved all-in. Habernig folded. It's the second time Richard has moved all-in during the last few hands.
2.52pm: Blinds up
We're into a new level, level 28 now, with blinds at 30,000-60,000 with a 5,000 ante.
2.50pm: Habernig again
Richard raises to 115,000 and Habernig called. The flop came [4s][9s][tc]. Both checked for a [jd] on the turn. Another 115,000 from Habernig was enough to force Richard to fold.
2.45pm: Point of order
Something seemed unusual about that last hand until we realised it was probably the first river card we've seen today that did not involve someone moving all in.
2.40pm: To the river
Dayan Vardanega raises to 110,000 and Matthias Habernig makes the call. The flop is [qs][2s][3h] and Vardanega makes it 125,000, Habernig calls again. The turn is a [7c] and Vardanega's aggression continued and as he bet 210,000. Habernig folds and Vardanega takes the pot.
2.35pm: Habernig on the attack
Alexandre Richard made it 115,000 which Matthias Habernig called for a flop [ah][qc][3d]. Habernig checked and Richard bet 145,000 which the Austrian called. The [jh] on the turn was checked for a [ac] on the river. At this point Habernig bet 300,000 forcing Richard to fold.
2.30pm: Statistically speaking
The three remaining players include two Brazilians and an Austrian, the same ratio of Brazilian players since the start of the tournament.
2.20pm: Down to three
Matthias Habernig raises to 105,000 and Miguel Velasco moves all-in for 550,000. Matthias calls and shows [6s][6c], Velasco showed [as][jh].
The board, [2d][3h][3s][3d][10s], and no help for Velasco. He's eliminated in 4th place and will win R$113,700 for it.
2.15pm: All Vardanega
Miguel Velasco made it 125,000 and Dayan Vardanega moved all-in forcing, a fold from Velasco. Vardanega has been involved in most pots since the last elimination, folding a couple, winning a couple.
2.05pm: As you were
Back to raise and take, Dayan Vardanega taking a couple as we ease back into regular play.
1.55pm: Down to four
Alexandre Richard raised to 115,000 and Robson Kozan moved all-in for 275,000. Richard didn't take long to call and showed [5c][5s]. Kozan also showed a pocket pair, but his was higher, [jh][js].
Robson Kozan
The flop was [ad][4s][6s] and Kozan remained in the lead. That is, until a [5d] came on the turn, bringing much celebration from Richard and his crowd. A [qd] came on the river and Robson Kozan was eliminated in 5th place.
The Brazilian will take home R$81,300 for his 5th place finish today.
1.45pm: On the card today
Every hand of this final table, whether it's an elimination or a simple raise and take, is cheered by big crowd watching from the rail. Fed up with the main event? Then turn around and watch the side event action taking place a few tables away.
1.40pm: Play resumes
We're back from the break and into level 27. How about an introduction?
1.30pm: Break time
Players have reached the first break of the day, well five of them have, with a level played. When they return blinds will be 25,000-50,000 with a 5,000 ante. Check out the latest scores on the chip count page.
1.25pm: How long?
A press colleague just told us that the quickest final table he'd ever worked took 45 minutes. This one is shaping up to be a quick one with three players eliminated in 15 minutes. Having now said such a thing we can now expect the brakes to be applied.
1.20:Matthias Habernig
You've read a lot about Matthias Habernig these last couple of days and even seen a couple of pictures. If you haven't gotten your fill of Habernig yet, you can check out this video brought to you by the PokerStars Video Blog Team.
1.10pm: Down to five
Andre Scaff moves all-in for 350,000 from the button and Matthias Habernig makes the call in the small blind.
Andre Scaff
Scaff shows [9c][10c] and Habernig tables [qs][js]. The board comes [3c][4d][5s][4h][3s] and we heard no "Filho do rei!" A very quiet Scaff shook Habernig's hand and walked off stage. Andre Scaff is eliminated in 6th place and the pastor will take home R$65,000 this Sunday.
1.05pm: Down to six
Unusual scenes on stage as multiple hugs greet Rodrigo Scartezini who just had his aces cracked by the pocket nines of Dayan Vardenega when all-in pre-flop. The board ran [qd][3h][jd][8c][9s] to send Scartenezi out on the river in seventh place.
1pm: Down to seven
Shortstacked, Rudy Blondeau moves all-in for 132,000 and Alexandre Richard makes the call. Blondeau is behind in chips and in cards, he shows [qd][5c] and is up against Richard's [ad][8c].
Eighth place finisher Rudy Blondeau
The board runs [3s][8h][10c][10s][kh] and Blondeau becomes the first casualty of the day. He finishes in 8th place, good for R$32,480. Richard up to 750,000.
12.55pm: Justo!
Alexandre Richard moves all-in the hijack On the button Rudy Blondeau decides to go all-in too. The blinds fold and the players are heads up. Blondeau shows [ac][ah], miles ahead of Richard's [js][9s].
The flop came [qs][6d][9h], the turn brought a [10h] and gasps from the crowd. The river was a [kd] the Brazilian made his straight and doubled-up. The crowd exploded and an audience member screamed "Justo!" the Portuguese word for justice.
12.50pm: Early detail
A cagey opening round as players find their feet. Needless to say Matthias Habernig remains chip leader with more than 3 million.
12.40pm: And one more for fun...
12.35pm: For openers
Miguel Velasco raises to 95,000 from the cutoff and Dayan Vardanega moves all-in from the small blind. Action is folded back around to Velasco who decides to fold.
Dayan shows ace-ten and takes down the pot.
A few hands later, Miguel Velasco starts action again by raising to 100,000. Vardanega decides to give him action again and re-raises to 300,000. This time Velasco is the one who decides to move all-in and Vardanega makes the call.
Dayan shows another ace this time, the [ah] and a better kicker than last time, the [kc].
Velasco shows [7s][7h], an old fashioned race ensues.
The board is faceless and comes [2s][5c][8c][10d][5h]. Velasco doubles up to 900,000 and Vardanega sees his stack shrink to 400,000.
12.20pm: More information
You can profiles of all of the final table players here.
12.15pm: Shuffle up and deal
The dealer and card caller have been introduced and the players have taken their seat. LAPT President David Carrion has announced shuffle up and deal, the final table of the LAPT Florianopolis is now under way.
12.05pm: We're about to begin
A procession of the final table players is taking place. Play will begin shortly.
Chip leader Matthias Habernig
PokerStars Blog reporting team in Florianopolis:(in order of children produced): Stephen Bartley (1) and Alex Villegas (?)
Welcome back to the LAPT Florianopolis. Just eight players remain, each in pursuit of a first prize of R$435,000. There are locals and a couple of foreign raiders intent on stealing glory away from home, but there'll be obstacles in the way in the form of some hefty local talent.
Matthias Habernig returns as chip leader and the man to beat. We start at noon, although there's likely to be a delay as the TV people prepare, the players finish last minute preparations and the crowd files in to watch what is set to be a great final table.
Here's how they'll line up.
Seat 1 - Alexandre Richard, 435,000 chips
Alexandre Richard
Alexandre Richard is 35 and from São Caetano do Sul near São Paolo. He's been playing poker for six years now and turned pro about three months ago, quitting his job in commerce. Having had success online on PokerStars and a few regional wins this will be his biggest career result to date.
Seat 2 - Dayan Vardanega, 761,000 chips
Dayan Vardenega
Dayan Vardenega is 31 and from Ponta Grossa in Paraná, Brazil. Having played poker for about a year Vardnega won his seat here in a raffle in a poker club back home and took time off from his job in sales to play here. In his spare time he plays in the biggest tournament he can in Brazil, with numerous final tables to his credit.
Seat 3 - Rudy Blondeau, 597,000 chips
Rudy Blondeau
Rudy Blondeau is 20 and is an Internet poker professional from Quebec, Canada, something he's done since leaving high school. Blondeau has a couple of internet wins to his name in minor tournaments but nothing on this scale. This will be a break from his usual routine. On Sunday's Blondeau can usually be found online in the Sunday majors while during the week he plays heads-up cash.
Seat 4 - Rodrigo Scartezini, 204,000 chips
Rodrigo Scartezini
Rodrigo Scartezini is 27 and is from São Paulo where he works in a bank. Scartezini's story is a tough one and he's in Florianopolis on vacation as a PokerStars qualifier, having won his seat online. There's more to his poker playing however. Three months ago Scartezini was diagnosed with cancer and began playing poker as a form of therapy. This is his first live tournament and he will now return to work on Monday with quite a story.
Seat 5 - Robson Kozan, 598,000 chips
Robson Kozan
Robson Kozan is 28 and comes from Ponta Grossa, like fellow finalist Dayan Vardenega. A business man by day Kozan plays poker most nights and has more than $50,000 in wins on MTTs on PokerStars.
Seat 6 - Andre Scaff, 814,000 chips
Andre Scaff
Andre Scaff is 41 and has become known this week for his loud and lively catchphrase "filho do rei." (Son of the king), a reference to life away from poker as a preacher. As a hobby though poker has proven to be lucrative. This may only be his second live tournament but in the first he came second, cashing for $41,140. He remains in position to top that today.
Matthias Habernig is 19and from Klagenfurt in Austria. Having played online since he was 18 his career highlights include winning an $11 re-buy tournament on PokerStars and cashing in a $1,000 side event at LAPT Lima. Habernig loves to travel and while in Peru met friends who suggested exploring Brazil. That trip brought him to Florianopolis and a second LAPT event that will now be the biggest cash of his career.
Seat 8 - Miguel Velasco, 511,000 chips
Miguel Velasco
Miguel Velasco is 33 and from Cali, Colombia. Velasco works on his cattle farms in Colombia, playing poker in his spare time. He has a few minor successes on his poker rusume but this will be the biggest result of his career. It's only the second LAPT event he has played following Lima a few weeks ago.
Poker arenas can become known for the atmosphere they generate. The feature stage of the Amazon Room for example can send a double-up echo back up the corridor to drown out the Masquerade Show; places like San Remo and Prague rock the EPT with a gladiatorial spirit, usually backed by the home nation or foreigner raiders.
Day three of the LAPT Florianopolis event was played with friendly camaraderie; an unlikely brotherhood joining players in times of ease, but jettisoned when elimination hands meant a walk to the rail and that silent but visible inner scream.
A tense crowd watched every hand from the rail today
It was a lonely task for each of the 36 players returning today, playing down to eight. But while inner screams may be relevant to the eliminated, those victorious today performed some memorable outer screams in their quest for LAPT glory.
Days like these are purpose built for drama. They're the pay-off finales to the lengthy back story, giving the big stacks chance to falter and allow the plucky underdogs through on their way to defeating expectation.
Chip leader Matthias Habernig
But today it was all about the big stacks. It started with Matthias Habernig and ended with Matthias Habernig, who tonight leads the field into day four of LAPT Florianopolis.
Habernig, from Austria, was the day one chip leader two nights ago, relinquishing his advantage on day two but remaining within stalking distance, a regular threat. His calm and controlled exterior belied his 19 years as he struck ruthlessly to acquire the 3,205,000 chips he bagged up tonight. The exact opposite exterior was used by the others to similar, if not the exact same effect.
A home town hero
At times today was like a cross between the series finale of soap opera, and how you'd expect the inexperienced to react when locked into the ring with a bull. There was also a religious theme.
Before busting in 12th, Mario Donoso, who had been struck down to a mere 10,000 at one point yesterday, persisted in chanting "Pass me the salsa!" as he ventured off stage and on stage during his unstoppable payback ride. Pedro Velasco, who departed in the final table bubble in ninth tonight, also took to leaving the set to play hands, watching the action on screen instead from the rail with friends, before leaping around the set attached to an invisible bungee rope after doubling up.
Mario Donoso
Pedro Velasco (left) and friends
Then there was Andre Scaff from Brazil, a solid player who wore the determined look of a man destined to reach the final table using whatever powers he could muster. Scaff won multiple big encounters, each marked by either the raising of a finger towards the sky or by shouting "Son of the king!" or, "thank you my lord." While "I love Jesus," accompanied his last level victory over Miguel Velasco. I'm not clear what the Bible says about this kind of thing, but as one wag pointed out, thanking Jesus implies a degree of collusion that Hoyle could not have seen coming.
Andre Scaff
Scaff will be just one of eight players returning tomorrow, and the final will be better for it. Joining him, there will be the other big guns of today - Dayan Vardenega, Robson Kozan and Rudy Blondeau, each of whom jostled for top spot today and each return with it firmly in their sights.
Also back tomorrow will be the other finalists, who line up as follows:
It was nearly a different story for Jorge Arias today. The Team PokerStars Online Pro busted in 24th after what will go down as a largely unnoticed, yet courageous performance in Brazil, handicapped by having to steer a short stack into the money. It was akin to pole-vaulting into medal position with a length of garden hose or placing in the Belmont onboard a rocking horse. For certain, his R$11,400 was the hardest earned of any this week.
Team PokerStars Online Pro Jorge Arias
Also departing today were the PokerStars qualifiers Regis Kogler and Richard Gui, as well as Homero Ribeiro, Scott Davies and Andre Sa, each of whom, at some point had looked capable of achieving higher honours.
But while tomorrow we could see a reversal of much of today's fortune, the night belongs to Habernig who brought the day to an end by seeing off Velasco, the latest of a long line of college-age kids turning up in lands far from home to ruin a good gentle game of cards among the grownups.
Everything will become clearer tomorrow
That then is all there is from Florianopolis on day three. Read all of this on our Spanish and Portuguese blogs and our thanks go to Carlos Monti for the unrivalled photography on the blog today. Full scores are available on our chip count page and payouts up to now are on the prize winners page.
Play resumes at noon tomorrow on the main stage at the Costa do Santinho resort. Join us then for coverage, from the first hand through to the crowning of a new LAPT champion.
7.30pm: All over
Pedro Velasco is eliminated by Matthias Habernig in the last hand of the day.
In this last hand, Velasco responded to Habernig's 66,000 raise by moving all-in for 350,000.
Matthias found a reason to call, it was probably his [10s][10d]. Velasco showed [qd][js] and needed some face cards to stay alive.
[5d][3c][3s] wasn't what he was looking for, but that's what the flop brought. The turn, a [9d], was closer, but still not what Velasco needed. The river was another small [5c]. With that, Velasco was our 9th place finisher and final table bubble.
At least he'll have take home a nice chunk of change as a consolation prize. His 9th place finish is work R$22,750.
9th place finisher and final table bubble Pedro Velasco
A full report of the day's action, to follow shortly.
7.12pm: Blind versus blind versus button
Rodrigo Scartezini moved all-in for 84,000 from the button and both blinds called. The small blind was occupied by Dayan Vardanega and Matthias Habernig was in the big blind.
Vardanega and Habernig checked down the [9c][4c][qh][4s][6c] and we got to see six hole cards.
Vardanega's [ad][kc] looked pretty good. But it wasn't as good as Habernig's pair of sixes with [5c][6h]. But neither of them were better than Scartezini's [qc][6h], good for two pairs.
Scartezini is now back up to 300,000
7.00pm: Return of the king
"FILHO DO REI! FILHO DO REI! FILHO DO REI! Thank you my lord! I love you Jesus!" Yes, Andre Scaff just won a big pot.
Scaff moved all-in for 411,000 from middle position and Miguel Velasco made the call.
Velasco showed [10d][10h], a nice sized pocket pair. Scaff turned over [ah][5c], and needed some help. Divine intervention perhaps.
The flop came [6c][qc][qh]. The turn? [3d]. But then the river came and it brought an ace. And not just any ace my friends, the [as]. Divine intervention had come and Scaff's wait for Godot was over. He jumped out of his chair and praised the power he held responsible for his double-up.
"FILHO DO REI! FILHO DO REI! FILHO DO REI! Thank you my lord! I love you Jesus!" Screamed Scaff.
Not even in the hand, Robson Kozan dropped to his knees. It's unclear weather he was deeply touched by this miraculous moment, or just disappointed that the final table bubble didn't burst.
Either way, Scaff is up to 850,000 and Velasco is left with 635,000.
6.55pm: Blinds are up
Another hour has gone by and the blinds are up again. This time they're 15000-30000 with a 30000 ante
6.50pm: Hand for hand
things have slowed down considerable owing to play now being hand for hand. Rather than one table of nine there are two tables, one of four, the other of five and each table must wait for the other before dealing.
6.45pm: Nine left
Matthias Habernig continues to dominate the tournament here in Florianopolis. After raising to 60,000, Guilherme Garcia re-raised all-in for 500,000. Matthias couldn't have called faster. Probably because he had [ac][ah].
Garcia showed [as][10c] and was drawing slim.
The board, [2c][8s][3s][jc][8d] was devoid of any funny business and Garcia was eliminated in 10th place. He takes home R$22,750.
6.35pm: Another Velasco double-up
But this time it was Miguel. Miguel raised to 58,000 from the cutoff and Rudy Blondeau moved all-in from the small blind. Miguel made the call, putting his tournament life at risk. He showed [ac][qs] and was racing against Blondeau's [3c][3h].
The flop brought a [qc], and that was all that Miguel needed to take the lead. The complete board was [5c][qc][7d][5d][4d], if you'd like to know.
Blondeau is down to 470,000 while Miguel saw his stack rise to 830,000
6.25pm: Azocar out
We're down to eleven and it's Francisco Azocar making way. He moved in with [ad][8h] and was ahead of caller Dayan Vardenega with [kd][jd]. The flop left him ahead too, coming [ad][7c][jc]. But the [td] turn opened up a whole new world of possibility, one that became reality on the [qs] river, making a straight for the jubilant Vardenega.
6.15pm: Chip leader
Matthias Habernig is the current chip leader with 2,070,000.
6.10pm: Donoso down and out
Mario Donoso's miracle comeback from a stack of 10,000 yesterday is over. On a flop of [4c][qc][6d] Donoso got his chips in but didn't count on Matthias Habernig's [qs][qh]. The set was good and was not changed by either the [2s] turn or [8h] river. Donoso had left the stage before the river hit the table. Down to 11 players remaining.
6pm: Garcia Scaffles up
Guilharme Garcia just doubled through Andre Scarff when he moved in with jack-three against Scaff's pocket nines. Scaff rightly looked happy with himself, right up to the flop which came [3d][3c][jc][6d][4c]
5.55pm: Santa Valasco
Velasco has made quite the comeback after being crippled during the break. He doubled up his micro stack and then tripled-up, courtesy of ace-jack and two callers.
The board was [9c][qh][6h][8c][jh] and his ace-jack was good enough for the triple-up.
Now with a manageable stack, Velasco had some breathing room. The next hand he raised to 70,000 and got called by Matthias Habernig. The flop came [4s][jh][3d] and Velasco moved all-in for 309,000. Habernig made the call and showed [8h][8d] and Velasco showed, yet again, [as][jd]. The turn brought a [kh] and the river was an [ah], giving Velasco two pair.
He now has around 800,000 and is back in the game.
5.45pm: The hand of the beast
Matthias Habernig and Pedro Velasco got into a monstrous flop right before the break. It fact, the hand was so large, went 7 minutes into the break. Here's what happened.
The flop was [6s][1h][10s] and Velasco checked. Habernig bet 140,000 and Velasco called. An [ad] came on the turn, but the action was similar. Velasco checked, Habernig bet out 240,000 and Velasco called.
The river saw similar action. A [7c] was deal, Velasco checked, Habernig bet 350,000, but this time Velasco moved all-in. Habernig snap-called and showed [as][ac], for four aces. Velasco showed queen-ten for second pair.
Habernig, with the help of the dealer, raked in the monster pot and is up to 1.55 million. Velasco was left with only 65,000.
5.35pm: Cards in the air
Play resumes in level 24 with blinds at 12,000-24,000 with a 3,000 ante.
Dayan Vardanega, Rudy Bondeau and Matthias Habernig
PokerStars Blog reporting team in Florianopolis:(In order of trips to the sweet shop)Stephen Bartley (3), Alexander Villegas (1, and it was closed).
5.15pm: Break time
That's the end of the level and another 15 minute break.
5.10pm: Rodrigo still rolling
Rodrigo Scartezini just took a few steps further up the chip chart. It started with a bet of 50,000 from Pedro Velasco followed by a raise by Mario Donoso to 135,000. Here Scartezini moved all-in for 70,000 and got a call from Velasco, while Donoso stepped aside.
One of the many positions adopted by Rodrigo Scartezini this afternoon
[ac][jc] for Scartezini
[as][kc] for Velasco
The board ran [jh][8c][8s][6c][8d]. The jack on the flop was enough, leaving Scartezini with nearly 300,000.
4.55pm: Leonello lost
Engelberth Moreno started the hand out by raising to 52,000 from early position. Miguel Velasco re-raised to 120,000 from middle position. Action came around to Gino Leonello on the button.
He had gone all-in the previous hand but everyone folded. He did the same thing this hand and moved all-in for 136,000. But this time he had a caller, Velasco. Moreno flashed an ace before folding, leaving action heads up.
Velasco had a pocket pair, [8d][8s] to be exact. Leonello had overcards, [qh][js] to be exact yet again.
The board ran [ks][7h][4d][2d][9c] and Velasco's pocket pair was victorious. Gino Leonello was eliminated in 14th place, made a pay jump, and was awarded R$16,250. (Before taxes)
4.45pm: Charity event
A couple of days ago, several PokerStars pros and personalities from across Brazil participated in a charity tournament. The proceeds went to a local school, so despite a champion being named, everybody won.
Check out this video account of the tournament brought to you by the PokerStars Video Blog Team.
4.35pm: Rolling with Rodrigo
It's a volatile life for Rodrigo Scartezini. First he called the all-in of Francisco Azocar, for 161,000, with jacks, only for Azocar to turn over aces, which held on a [2h][4s][qc][qs][ts] board. Then, with just 50,000 left, he moved in on the next hand with [ac][kc] against Pedro Velasco's [ad][js]. Scartezini pulled through on a board of [kh][4d][2h][ah][as], much to the delight of friends on the rail. He's back up to a little more than 100,000.
4.25pm: Andre Sa eliminated in 15th place
Pedro Velasco and Andre Sa decided to get all their chips in before the flop.
Sa, the at risk player, held [ad][10h]. He was trailing behind Velasco's [ah][qs]. The flop was [5d][5c][qc], propelling Velasco even further into the lead. The [ac] on the turn left Sa guaranteed Sa wasn't going to win this pot.
He could only chop it by hitting one of the remaining fives in the deck. The [9s] was not one of those fives and Sa was eliminated in 15th place.
He'll take R$13,100.
4.15pm: Scartezini double up
A double up for Rodrigo Scartezini through Mario Donoso, who loses what seems like his pot since yesterday. Scartezini turned over [ac][kc] when he moved all-in, called by Donoso with [kd][2d]. The flop brought another deuce leaving Scartezini needing an ace or king, which dutifully arrived on the river.
4.05pm: Caicedo done
Marco Caicedo is out in 16th place. He pushed with [ks][js] and was called by Matthias Habernig with [ad][tc]. The flop was pretty decisive, coming [td][5h][ts]. The turn got a few more "ooohs", being [qd] but the river card [2s] put an end to any hopes of further drama. Down to 15 players. It leaves Habernig with close to a million chips.
3.55pm: Don't hate the eight
In this hand, I will foreshadow.
Engleberth Moreno raised to 40,000 from early position. He received two callers (4x2=8), Robson Kozan in the cutoff, and the big blind.
The flop was [8c][8h][9c]. The big blind checked and Moreno led out for 104,000. This is the second time a bet contained the number four (4x2=8). Kozan called yet again and the big blind folded.
Robson Kozan ready to pounce
The turn was a [qh] and Moreno checked. Kozan bet 50,000 and, after counting all his chips, Moreno decided to fold. |
When he did, Kozan flipped over [8d][8s] for quads. He celebrated in Portuguese as he raked in the pot.
Engelberth saw his stack shrink to 170,000, while Kozan is up to 465,000.
3.45pm: Playing
After an extended delay, that involved a redraw and the moving of chips, chairs and tables, we're playing again with 30 minutes left in level 22.
3.30pm: Table line-ups
Feature table
Seat 1 - Mario Donoso, 760,000
Seat 2 - Rodrigo Scartezini, 142,000
Seat 3 - Dayan Vardanega, 670,000
Seat 4 - Rudy Blondeau, 694,000
Seat 5 - Matthias Habernig, 846,000
Seat 6 - Marco Caicedo, 141,000
Seat 7 - Pedro Velasco, 580,000
Seat 8 - Andre Sa, 287,000
3.25pm: Redraw
We're now down to 16 players and redrawing to two tables.
3.20pm: Down to 17
Rodolfo Awad is the next to fall. He shoved with [3s][ac] and was called by Dayan Vardanega with [kc][ks]. The board changed nothing for Awad, running [4h][6h][td][4d][3d]. Awad out in 18th place.
3.15pm: Time keeps on slipping
And players keep slipping out of this tournament.
We've lost a couple of players in a couple of minutes. First Sander Aalders found himself all-in versus Mario Donoso.
Aalders held [as][qd] and he was up against Donoso's [ah][kc]. The flop, [ah][qs][10d] fell heavily in favor of Aalders, as he paired his ace and his queen. But it also gave Donoso a straight draw.
The turn didn't bring Donoso his straight, but it did give him a [kh] for the higher two pair. A [7c] fell on the river and sent Aalders to the payout desk in 20th place. That 20th place will earn him R$11,400.
A hand later, in another table, Jose Guillerme Thome found himself all-in. He put his remaining 39,000 in the pot and was called by Alexandre Richard.
Richcard showed [7d][kc] and was ahead of Thome's [7c][8c]. The flop gave Richard a king and the turn brought him another. Guillerme was eliminated in 19th place, and he also took R$11,400.
3pm: Double up
A double up for Gino Leonello through Guilherme Garcia. Queens for Leonello which held up against Garcia's [kc][jh] on a board of [ac][4d][3d][td][8h]. Garcia slips to 191,000 while Leonello moves up to 350,000.
2.45pm: Cards in the air
Play resumes in level 22 with blinds at 8,000-16,000 with a 2,000 ante.
Chip leader with more than 800,000, Matthias Habernig
PokerStars Blog reporting team in Florianopolis:(In order of arrival at the breakfast buffet this morning) Stephen Bartley (10.01am) Alex Villegas (2.55pm).
2.30pm: Chips
The news form the last two levels is the stack building of Matthias Habernig who ends the leavel on 810,000. Meanwhile Rudy Blondeau has slipped down the scale to 300,000 while Dayan Vardenega has had his own power surge, sitting with 660,000 at the break.
2.26pm: Break time
Players are now on a fifteen minutes break at the end of level 21. Chip counts at the break will be available shortly on the chip count page.
2.25pm: Twenty left
In the hand before the break Scott Davies moved all in with ace-king and was called by Matthias Habernig with pocket queens. The board ran [2h][4h][4s][5d][ts]. Despite draws on the river nothing came to rescue the American and Davies is eliminated in 21st place.
2.20pm: Is everybody happy?
On a flop of [qh][3h][7s] Homero Ribeiro announced he was all-in. Alexandre Richard had the option to call and thought for a while about it, eventually calling and showing [3c][3d] to Ribeiro's [ks][qc].
Richard seemed quite pleased with himself and performed an exuberant celebration after the [jd] turn and [2s] river. "Massa! Massa!" he yelled and Andre Scaff sitting next to him joined the celebrations, pointing his index finger dierectly up in a vaguely Bee-Gee stance, although he was seated.
Alexandre Richard
Ribeiro out but Richard up to around 500,000.
2.10pm: Son of the King
We've grown accustomed to hearing loud celebrations here in Florianopolis, the most notable is "filho do rei!" (son of the king)
When we hear this, we know that Andre Scaff is in a big hand. This time he was against Team PokerStars Online, Jorge Arias.
Arias found himself looking at [ah][9h] and decided to put a lot of his chips in preflop. All but one yellow 1,000 chip. Scaff saw [8s][8d] and decided to just call.
The flop came [qd][9c][8c] and Arias decided to put his last chip in. He was pot committed. Scaff made the call and showed his set of eights. An [ad] brought a glimmer of hope for Arias, but a [10c] on the river took it right back.
Arias was eliminated in 24th place, making the pay jump to R$11,400.
1.55pm: Chips chips
Chip leaders at the moment are Rudy Blondeau and Migel Velasco, each with close to 600,000.
1.45pm: Nothing to see here
Spoiled by an initial surge of all-ins the pace has slowed somewhat. A few all ins go unanswered bit nothing called.
1.30pm: Club, club, club, club
Martin Fuentes is out. Fuentes, who had not changed his shirt since yesterday for fear of washing away the luck, got it in ahead, showing [ah][kd] against Rudy Blondeau's [kh][qc]. It's round about now that you take note of that club in Blondeau's hand.
The flop came [8c][8s][3c] then a [2c]. By now you can see where this is going. A [4c] on the river sent Fuentes to the rail as Blondeau begins to look unstoppable.
1.20pm: Blinds are up
As in most tournaments, the blinds are slowly rising. We're on level 21 and the blinds are now 6000-12000 with a 1000 ante.
1.15pm: Pizza's party's over
Gilberto Pizzamiglio moved all-in from the hijack for approximately 90,000. Rudy Blondeau made the call from the button and both blinds decided to let them play it out.
Blondeau showed [ah][10s], Pizzamiglio showed a [kd], but he also showed a [as]. Blondeau was dominated.
The flop was [js][7d][5s], Pizzamiglio's domination continued. That is, until a [10c] came on the turn. The river brought a [5d], not the king Pizzamiglio was looking for and he was eliminated in 28th.
28th place finisher Gilberto Pizzamiglio
1pm: All ins but nothing
More all-ins, just no takers. Cristiane Dias, the last woman standing in LAPT Florianopolis, moved all-in but got not takers, showing two black queens in frustration.
It's a table full of short stacks and Engelberth Moreno was next to shove in the big blind, behind a raise from small blind Gino Leonello who performed a dramatic head shake before folding.
On the next table Sander Aalders moved in with an equally timid response from his table. Still 28 players remaining.
12.55pm: Out in 30th
Claudio Baptista had a pair of jacks and decided to move all-in from middle position. Guilerme Garcia was on the button and looked down to see a pair of kings. With a better pocket pair and better position, Garcia decided to move all-in as well. The blinds folded and Baptista was up against kings. The flop brought nothing but baby cards and Baptista was eliminated in 30th. R$9,750 is what he'll take.
12.50pm:Can't Braga anymore
Alessandra Braga is out in 32nd place.
Pocket queens weren't kind to this lady.
Alessandra Braga moved all-in after Gino Leonello raised. Leonello called her 180,000 chip all-in and showed ace-jack. Braga showed pocket queens and was hoping to avoid an ace. She was quite successful until the river came along.
In a very Barry Greenstein fashion, an ace on the river sent Braga to the rail. She was eliminated in 32nd place, and is the first player to make the pay jump and earn R$9,750.
12.40pm: Down to 32
Richard Gui is eliminated in 33rd, sent to the rail by David Bortnik on the feature table. Gui turned over [kd][6h] against Bortnik's [ks][td], both hands dodging the board.
Keep tabs on all of the eliminations of the payout page.
12.38pm: Poncie's scheme collapses
Poncie out Poncie moved all-in and got one called by Jose Jorge Pereira. They both had two cards, but they weren't the same ones.
Poncie held [qs][9c] and Pereira held [as][5s]. The flop was [3h][7s][9d], giving Poncie the lead.
"Hold!" chanted Poncie as the [7d] was dealt on the turn. The chant worked. "Hold!" he said again, but this time it wasn't successful. The [ad] fell on the river and Poncie was eliminated in 35th place. He'll take $R8,120, approximately US$4,200.
12.35pm: From the whistle
The all-ins come from the off. First Juan Carlos Herrera who shoved but found no takers, neither did Paulo Rink when he tried the same.
On the feature table though Scott Davies got a caller when he moved all-in. As predicted in the introduction today a short stack doesn't have to stay that way. He showed [as][js] to the call from Rudy Blondeau who turned over [qs][tc].
The board ran [ah][7s][kd][2h][3c] doubling up the American.
12.25pm: Green light
We're off. Cards are in the air with blinds at 5,000-10,000 with a 1,000 ante.
12.20pm: So this bloke walks into a bar...
We're on the starting grid with umbrellas casting shade over us as we wait for the parade lap. Minutes away.
In the meantime have here's the moving images version of the introduction, courtesy of the Video Blog team here in Florianopolis:
12.10pm: Any minute now
Still waiting, so why not have a read through of today's introduction to day three.
12pm: Nearly ready
We were supposed to start at noon but these things never get going bang on time. The players are here, we're just waiting for a few finishing touches here and there before we get cards in the air.
Up for grabs
PokerStars Blog reporting team in Florianopolis:(In order of how many continents they think there are in the world) Stephen Bartley (7) and Alexander Villegas (6).
Welcome back to Florianopolis, which these days has put behind it the rainy and bleak past it was known for two days ago and has instead embraced the optimism of bright sunshine; perfect stuff for that old cliché of things getting hot inside as well as outside.
But we don't do cliché here. We do stark realism. It's the type of things brought home to you at 2am as players play on into a 14th hour at the tables. So here are today's hard facts.
Just 36 players remain from a total field of 364. In two days we've lost 328 to chip erosion and those 12 have so far been paid for their graft.
Today we'll play down to eight. However long it takes and however hard tournament staff are begged to stop the clock. We need a final and by crikey by the close today that's what we'll have.
Chip leader Rudy Blondeau
Our leader coming back this afternoon is Rudy Blondeau of Canada, a name fresh on our memories as we only finished typing it a few hours ago. Blondeau has 536,500, a few thousand ahead of second placed Andre Sa from Brazil, who unpacks 511,000. But such fortunes can change easily in poker. So take heart PokerStars qualifier Richard Gui. The American returns as one of the short stacks with a little more than 60k.
That's more than enough to cause some damage. Just ask Team PokerStars Online Pro Jorge Arias. Yesterday he seemed destined to peak at a mere 15,000 chips until he was switched to the feature table. It was there he shone under the television lights, bagging up 130,000 by the close.
The PokerStars Blog team (out of shot) among those tackling the surf this morning
The players will be arriving soon with play due to start at noon. In the meantime check the official scores on the chip count page and the names of those who have already cashed on the prize winners and payout page.
Day two at the LAPT Florianopolis was always about the money. The only additional detail being who would have it and who wouldn't.
Of the 185 players who returned today just 48 of them would get such a payoff, a bundle of local Rials higher in value than the bundle they handed over to the cashier when they bought into the event yesterday.
As play went hand-for-hand it looked like Wallacy Marcal would be the ideal fall guy. Crippled and nursing a stack worth no more than a big blind, Marcal put in a text book bubble performance, with plans to hold on until it was no longer physically possible within the rules of the game.
Wallacy Marcal
He did just that.
First catching an ace to go with his ace-king versus jacks, then reinforcing his entrenched position by moving all-in and winning beating two callers with king-high, providing him with the means to cling on with his hands rather than just his finger nails.
As this was going on Alexandre Fracari was at the feature table conscious that time was running out. Ultimately he fell so that others could succeed, his pocket jacks toppled by the ace of Francisco Azocar, putting and end to Fracari's tournament as the field roared in delight at his misery.
Bubble boy Alexandre Fracari
That left the rest of the day's action.
Matthias Habernig has been a prominent leader, ever since the closing stages of day one. But today that lead belonged to a Canadian, Rudy Blondeau, who had survived the effects of a bad deck and then rallied.
Blondeau first made it to 300k, then became the first player to reach 400k before his stack swelled suddenly to measure 536,500 at the close, just ahead of second placed Andre Sa who snatched a big pot at the bell. Sa bagged up 511,000.
Chip leader Rudy Blondeau
Those followed include Miguel Valardo on 392,500, Dayan Vardanega on 380,000 and Sander Aalders on 348,000.
Sander Aalders
While Angel Guillen and Leo Fernandez were unable to survive the day - although Fernandez recorded a cash finish - Team PokerStars Online Pro Jorge Arias logged a classy performance, at one point with a stack not visible to the human eye. He spun that into six figures though and closed on 113,000 with which to return to on day three.
Leo Fernandez
Jorge Arias
A long day two might well give way to a short day three. A few players and others will be hoping for something like that. Not us of course. We all return at noon tomorrow to witness events as players play down to a final table. It could be long, or it could be short, but we'll be there for every step.
Until then recap on the day's events at the links below:
Nearly 15 hours later I think we can call that a full day.
Thanks for reading today's coverage. Things continue when play re-starts at noon tomorrow which as today can be read in Spanish and Portuguese if you feel it necessary. Our thanks also to the expert photography of Carlos Monti.
As far as the scores are concerned you can find the chip counts on the official chip count page and the payouts made so far are logged here.
Habernig and Vardanega
