Within the poker community in my country the only thing anybody talks about is the Colombian LAPT in the city of Medellin, and it's just around the corner.
This tournament was voted the best stop of the LAPT Tour in 2011. It also broke records with nearly 700 players playing for nearly a million dollars in prize money.
Since the first time that the tournament was played in my country (this June's tournament will be the third) Colombia has become one of the favorite poker destinations for both Latin and foreign players.
Foreign players see Medellin as a desirable city in which they can vacation and enjoy the ambiance and the mixture of a very modern as well as a traditional city. In my humble opinion, it's the prettiest city in Colombia.
I've seen a lot of players from Europe and the USA playing in the last two tournaments.
I've run into members of Team PokerStars such as Angel Guillen, Nacho Barbero, Leo Fernandez, Humberto Brenes and Andre Akkari. To my surprise, when I arrived at the poker room to play a satellite , I found myself face to face with Sorel Mizzi at the table. I also greeted John Tabatabai (second place winner of WSOP Europe) who was enjoying himself at the PokerStars party. He has been spending time learning our culture. These are a few of the world-renowned players. The tournament has also given me a chance to meet many of the European and American grinders who constantly told me that they felt very comfortable and safe playing in Colombia and assure me that they will be around for many more tournaments.
The Tournament
The purpose of this blog post is to invite you all to participate in the Colombian LAPT in the city of Medellin. The event will take place on June 5 and will end on June 9. PokerStars is holding daily satellites starting $2. The tournament will be attended by nearly a thousand players who will show up with the expectation of winning the main event. The main event costs $1,150 with re-entry during the first four levels. There are also side events including a semi-high-roller tournament with buyin of $3,500.
In addition to the tournaments, you will also find a flock of players at the cash tables. At these tables you will find, $5/5, $10/10, $10/20, $25/25 both NLHE and PLO. There will be plenty of action on the tables!
Medellin as a city
Medellin was recently named the most innovative city in the world, under the City of the Year contest, organized by the Urban Land Institute and Magazine Wall Street; the decision depended on an internet vote putting Antioquia's capital in competition with New York and Tel Aviv. This award is the result of love and pride that the city's people have for their city.
When people come to Colombia and especially a city such as Medellin for a vacation or a tournament, they will find a city full of people with human qualities.
The times of insecurity and violence of two decades ago are long gone. Now we can enjoy quiet streets, a city with numerous shopping centers, a subway that mobilizes some 500,000 people daily, good local cuisine, the best nightlife and beautiful women everywhere decorating absolutely all parts of the city paisa (as it is known to its locals "paisas").
If you like more of a tourism plan or an adventure near Medellin, in no more than an hour you will find beautiful towns with very nice people, and spectacular landscapes such as the amazing La Piedra Del Peñol (Spanish for "The Rock of Guatapé"), also known as El Peñol Stone or simply La Piedra (Spanish for "The Stone"). You will also find Santa Fe de Antioquia, one of the most colonial cities of Antioquia and Colombia, and the magical town of El carmen del Viboral well known as the Cradle of handmade pottery, and crafts. All of this just to give you an idea of what you will find in my country when you come to the Colombian LAPT.
Something that you will never forget is that you will find friendly Colombians everywhere ready to make your stay an incredible experience and hard to forget. We Colombians are known for making foreigners feel at home, making sure their stay is unforgettable and leaving them with eagerness to return.
This is the third time I will play the Medellin LAPT; in the previous two tournaments I had deep runs before getting eliminated at the very end. As the saying goes "Third time's the charm."
I hope to have my best performance this time around, but in the event that luck fails me, hope to see you at the events such as the high roller or cash tables. If you have any questions, concerns, or need information, do not hesitate to contact me. My twitter is @ sirfreddy83 and I'm available to lend you a hand. I just hope that everyone enjoys the tournament and their stay in my country. I'm pretty sure that you will want to return!
See you at the tables and good luck to all.