Latin American Poker Tour Crowns Champ in Chile

The PokerStars Latin American Poker Tour went almost two seasons without a Latin American winner. After the LAPT's stop in Vina del Mar, Chile, that has all changed.

A total of 215 players coughed up the $2,500 buy-in for a shot at their share of the $523,800 prize pool. Only 27 would get paid, with Fabian Ortiz of Argentina taking down the $141,426 top prize on Thursday.

Ortiz outlasted a field made up largely of Latin Americans, including Team PokerStars Pros Humberto Brenes and Andre Akkari. The Argentinean found himself down to a half a BB at one point and would even enter heads-up play with Vincenzo Gianelli of Venezuela at a 2-1 chip disadvantage.

Ortiz would waste little time doubling up and changing the tables. A little while later, Gianelli would ship his A10 right into the waiting arms of Ortiz and his AJ. The best hand held, meaning Ortiz would become the first Latin American to take home an LAPT crown in the tour's short history.

Fina table results:

Up next on the LAPT schedule is a stop in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in mid-March.

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