Thomas, really looking forward to the announcement of the new stop, glad you put the Costa Rica disclaimer in there as I would have been too excited.

David, great post you have me reconsidering SP and the seasons greatings and well wishes for next year where a nice gesture.

Could you guys get the step 6s up ?

Hi Brad,

I knew you would have been thinking Costa Rica so I had to be fair (ie: not cruel) to you. I will get the step 6s up.


Thanks,
-thomas

Thanks,
-thomas

happy as in one happy island?

Would like this so much!!!

Hi Thomas,
I played the 530 yesterday and now have a bit of a suggestion. I really like the 530 format as it allows for a higher winner to player ratio 1 in 11. The problem is that no one who played the 530 actually sattelited into it. I'm not sure what can be done to improve the sattelites into the 530 so they actually run but it would be nice if there was a less expensive way into this game then direct buying in. The 27 turbo rebuy just before the 530 had 8-10 players registered when it was cancelled (requires min of 18 to run) I'm sure if it been allowed to run some new players would of joined and with rebuys and add ons we would of hit the 530 plus a few smaller cash prizes. Another suggestion would be to bring back some of the bigger freezeouts into the 530, I remember a few years ago there was someting like a 180 or 190 turbo right before the 530 and it was fairly populer. And there was always 109s that used to run. another suggestion would be to change the 530 to a 730 (probablely to expensive) but then at least step 5s could be used as a type of alternate sattelite.
Not sure if my ideas are any good but I for one would love to see the 530 format survive (over the years I've had some great LAPT trips from this format) and I don't think it will survive unless we get more players into it. Brad

Hi Brad,

Thanks for your comments. I was thinking about this last night during late registration and there were still only 6 players in this event. I think it might be priced out of many of our players range but I will definitely try and add some more feasible satellites to it so that we can keep it running. I hope we can keep the 530 format alive but it seems a little weak lately.


Thanks,
-thomas

why there arent any more sats to the BPT?

I agree that super sats to the sats are the key. Numbers have been a bit down but that could be due to increased competition from other Pstars Live Events. Now that PCA is done, perhaps volume might pick up.

Thanks David and Thomas for the great updates/news of late. Really looking forward to attending at least 2 stops this year.

Sorry, there was a techincal glitch that removed them but back up now.

Thanks,
-thomas

Thomas,
after thinking about it more I've come up (stole) with what I think is a pretty good idea. Why not copy the EPT ffp sats that run all week. They run 50 to 300 to 1500fpp's all week . Then on Sunday they run a last 1500 then a 4500 and finally a 13500 which when you win seats you right into the 530 EPT that is already playing (making it a must play). The top 1/3 always moving up makes this a really fun (and cheap) sat to play. I always start at the 1500 and this system has allowed me to play at least 4 or 5 EPT 530's in the last couple of months that I would never have bought into otherwise. I'd suggest keeping the fpps the exact same but the only differenc is that the last level would be easier for the playes as there would be more 530s then 1 in 3 given out because the US$ is worth less then the Euro$. So perhaps the ratio would be 1 seat for 2.5 players or whatever.
Another idea while I am still biased towards the old 190$ that used to award one seat per 3 players as it was also fun game but failing that perhaps a 82$(step 3) turbo an hour before the 530 ?
Brad

Hi Brad,

Thanks for the food for thought. I will have to look into it further and see what is possible.


Thanks,
-thomas

I went to every LAPT this season for work so I decided to give some suggestions to those going to this event:

- Taxis are expensive so, if possible, try to share a room at the convention center hotel. The rooms are big and comfy.
- The lines are going to be huge at the registration office so take this into account. Don't get there late.
- There's a shopping mall next to the convention center with all sorts of shops, food, etc. All kinds of options for meals from McDonald's to sushi, brazilian food, steakhouse, etc.
- Check out the H2O club. It's a legal poker club with PLHE, NLHE and PLO (the locals play PLO with 2 to 7 removed from the deck). During the LAPT Sao Paulo the stakes were as big as 25/50 reais but I think these could get bigger with the LAPT/BPT. The place is simply awesome and there's a van that takes you there from the convention center (15-20 minute ride iirc)
- Take a flight to Rio and go the the Carnaval (this isn't a poker suggestion, just common sense lol)

see u there guys just won my package today
sapol thx for all the info. Is the rio carnaval after the bpt?

It's during the whole series. Official Carnival here happens between 17 and 23 Feb, although you'll still find some of it going on the weekend of 24-26

Hi Thomas my friend Bob stopped by my room tonight and gave me 20$ to start complaining about Playa Conchal again. He was muttering something about Thomas and AA KK every tournament ?

All of us USA players have moved or are moving to Costa Rica to play so the LAPT NEEDS to come back there!!!! ~ ....i played LAPT Brazil that was a Visa Hassle and too far south in my opinion.

Any vague idea for the dates of season 5?

Hi Brad,

I woke up with KK and then AA against Bob in back to back tournaments in the big blind. Tell Bob thanks. I put them to good use both times.


-thomas

Hi BAustin,

Unlikely to happen in Costa Rica. I live there too so it would be nice. But never say never.


Thanks,
-thomas

Hi livestream,

Coming soon. Stay tuned.


Thanks,
-thomas

When will the seat only sat for the LAPT final start?

Hi Brazilian,

They start this week. There will be a $22 Reuby on Saturday and another on Sunday at 18:00 ET.


Thanks,
-thomas

But they are both turbos...

Call me an optimist, but I think Season 5 is going to be the breakthrough season for the LAPT. In the past it has suffered with an extremely limited player base in the developing Countries, unexpected tax issues, that whole Mexican issue , even an earthquake so it's had it's share of obstacles but I think the worst is in the past and great things are in store for us players.

Best of luck LAPT and lets hope it will deliver big things.

Hi Sect7G,

Thanks for the praise, we will deliver a good season very shortly and I agree with you, Latam is ready for explosion, as it has experienced already a significant degree of it on season 4, with average Main Event fields in the 500+. The offer of side events will also expand continuing the objective to offer the best poker festivals in the region.

I look forward to our Grand Finals while we finish the touches to announce season 5.