Main Event
Day 4 Completed
Main Event
Day 4 Completed
That’s LAPT Lima done and dusted and what an exciting event it has been. It's fair to say that no day has been more exciting than today. Yesterday’s fast fuelled action was thrilling but it was just the appetizer to today’s entrée. The big story at the end of the day revolves around one man from Argentina; Jose “Nacho” Barbero, the inaugural LAPT Lima champion. The Team PokerStars Pro has won back-to-back LAPT titles, something that is still yet to be achieved in five seasons of the EPT. Barbero took down the LAPT Punta del Este in February for $279,330. As if all that wasn’t enough the Argentine also managed to win the first ever French Poker Series event in May along with a SCOOP title on PokerStars as well. To say this man is on a heater is the understatement of understatements - he's running like ElkY. Barbero takes home $250,000 for his efforts over the last four days.
A total of 384 players started at midday on Wednesday and by 7pm this evening we were down to just one. The story of ‘back-to-back Barbero’ started to roll off people’s tongues on day two when he scooped a huge pot hacking down two players with pocket jacks cracking one over-pair and dodging one other overcard to claim a big Day 2 chip lead. What he's likely to be remembered for though is the 'Nacho' - the audacious four-bet with that clamied the chip lead when rivering Chris Conrad's AQ. He would have been out of the door had he not binked that eight on fifth street. From then on it looked nailed on that this cool, calm and collected man from down south would secure that double title.
Barbero had to defeat PokerStars qualifier Ben Barrows heads-up and some six other players before he could claim the title. No player gave him more trouble than local favourite Erick Cabrera, who had the loudest cheering section you're ever likely to hear. The two exchanged chips all the way through the final table and Barbero had to flop the nuts to finally get rid of him. This hand punctured the hopes of the local crowd who were looking to crown a local hero. The final table will be remembered for them almost as much as Barbero as they created a fiesta atmosphere that would rival the Football World Cup that kicks off in South Africa next week.
You'd think that he'd be happy sucking in his success but, never one to rest on his laurels, Barbero told PokerStars TV that 'The best thing that can happen is to win my third (LAPT)!'
PokerNews offers a huge congratulation to Jose “Nacho” Barbero. We also say congratulations to PokerStars, The Atlantic Casio and all those who helped stage a memorable first major tournament in Peru. I’m sure we’ll be back. You should too.
Although it was Nacho who won the big bucks there were eight players that have found themselves considerably richer today than they were yesterday. Here they are.
The Final Eight |
1. Jose 'Nacho' Barbero, Team PokerStars Pro $250,000 |
2. Ben Barrows, PokerStars online qualifier $144,000 |
3. Erick Cabrera, $88,400 |
4. Ismael Cádiz, PokerStars Online Qualifier $65,100 |
5. Silvio Martins (Brazil) $46,500 |
6. Rene Aguilar, PokerStars online qualifier $37,300 |
7. Carlos Herrera, PokerStars player $28,000 |
8. Valerio Valera, $18,600 |
Jose 'Nacho' Barbero has just won the LAPT Lima knocking out American Ben Barrows heads up for $250,000. It's an epic win given that this gives Barbero back-to-back LAPT victories. Barrows doesn't walk away empty-handed though and will wake up tomorrow $144,000 richer than this morning.
Barbero called all-in from the big blind with to Barrows' giving a great chance for a chop but the flop had other ideas. How's suit you? A on the turn gave Barrows more outs but a on the river settled it.
Barbero folds from the big blind. Barrows is in desperate need of a double up if he's to stop Barbero scoring back-to-back LAPT titles.
Jose 'Nacho' Barbero limped from the small blind and Erick Cabrera checked his option from the big. Barbero check-raised Cabrera's 110,000 bet on the to 280,000. Cabrera called. Barbero checked to Cabrera on the turn and the young Peruvian duly moved all-in. Barbero snap-called.
Cabrera: for top pair top kicker
Barbero: for the nuts
Some of Cabrera's supporters thought their man was ahead but their cheering was quickly cut short. Even the river couldn't help Cabrera.
This heads up is going to be a lot quieter without the Peruvian's fans. Barbero has a dominating 6.48m stack to Barrows' 1.2m. As we all know heads up can be a fickle beast but if Barbero doesn't shut this one out the Team PokerStars Pro will be beating himself up for days.
Details on the way.
It's almost been like a heads-up match recently as Ben Barrows has let the other two battle it out. He's now decided to get back in the game and has moved all-in two hands in a row. Firstly from the SB blind and then from the button. Both times he got the bet through. Then he was all-in from the BB but this time it was after a raise from Jose Barbero on the button.
Jose Barbero raised from the small blind to 180,000 and Cabrera called. A c-bet of 180,000 on the was enough to take it down. Barbero must be up to around 3.6m now well ahead of Cabrera (approx 2.4m) and Barrows (approx 1.3m).
The chips didn't last lost over the left hand side of the table as Jose Barbero has taken them back off Erick Cabrera. The two were in the blinds and limped to see a flop. Barbero check-raised Cabrera 's 100,000 bet up to 240,000. The Peruvian called to see the whee he called a 370,000 bet from Barbero. The river came and the Argentine kept up the pressure with a 500,000 bet. Cabrera thought long and hard but folded.