Latin America Poker Tour

We no speak Americano - LAPT overview

Kicking off in May 2008, the Latin American Poker Tour is one of PokerStars’s latest attempts at poker globalisation.

When asked about South America, many people think of the picturesque Brazilian beaches, Colombian drug cartels, and sprawling Amazon rainforest. But with a population of just under 400 million, there is no shortage of gambling interest.

Argentina is the continent’s leading casino contributor, possessing over 80, including South America’s largest – Casino de Tigre. The continent’s other gambling interests manifest in football (the population is fanatical about soccer), and horse/dog racing betting (conducted at ‘racinos’).

As a clever marketing ploy, PokerStars has combined the poker stops with local, tourist opportunities. South America boasts some of the world’s most jaw-dropping scenery.

With regards to the Lima, Peru stop, PokerStars works closely with travel agencies to provide two day excursions to Incan settlement Machu Picchu. Players can also soak up the sand and sea at Florianopolis, as well as the ruins at Rosario.

The rise of Poker in South America

A couple of factors have contributed to the growth of poker and pokerstars in South America.

Season one of the LAPT offered a paltry three stops, but with season three that reached its conclusion and season four getting started, players have been whizzed off to seven locations. Proceedings kicked off at the Playa Conchal in Costa Rica, and are set to conclude at the grand finale in Rosario, Argentina (Sept 22-26).

Because many South American societies are agrarian based, grand finale aside, main event buy-ins do not exceed $2,500. The Florianopolis, Brazil stop is one of the most popular, with the festival offering PLO and 6-max Hold’em events.

Held in the quaint city of Rosario, the season finale in just over one week’s time promises to be South America’s biggest poker tournament to date. Team PokerStars pros Chris Moneymaker, Victor Ramdin and double tour winner Jose ‘Nacho’ Barbero are set to descend on the historic town, forking up the $5k main event buy-in.

The LAPT has already provided a fairytale story, when 18 year old, German high school student Dominik Nitsche triumphed at the Mar del Plata stop in season two.

Poker’s youthful image scored a victory when Nitsche faced 19 year old Mexican Jorge Landazuri heads-up, with the former prevailing to scoop the $381k jackpot. Nitsche thanked the comprehensive PokerStar’s satellite system for gifting him a seat and a shot at fame.

To help fuel interest, PokerStars have offered contracts to some of South American poker’s prodigal sons. Veteran Humberto Brenes, who heralds from Costa Rica, is a great long-standing ambassador.

With over $5.6 million in live tournament winnings, and two WSOP bracelets, Brenes is passionate about his Hispanic roots. PokerStars boasts four Brazilians on its professional roster, including Alexandre Gomes, who was victorious at the WPT Bellagio World Cup V for a whopping $1,187,670.

The LAPT has a long way to go before it rivals the WPT and EPT for popularity. But with PokerStars’s superb satellite system, beautiful venues and a solid core of South American poker pros, it looks set to get bigger.

The LAPT is a great opportunity for a solid online player to try playing in a fun live event without the monster WSOP fields and hefty WPT buy-ins. Players also get the chance to sample South America’s unique culture, and to visit the beautiful mountains and beaches.

PokerStars offers satellite tournaments to the LAPT and other major events like the WSOP and Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure. You can even qualify for these satellites with your Frequent Player Points for a chance to discover South America or The Bahamas for free!

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