Aliro Diaz wins Latin American Poker Tour Chile


03/26/2012 : HOMETOWN' VICTORY IN APPT CHILE
 
Chile player Aliro Diaz victorious, besting a field of 651 entrants
 
The 2012 PokerStars.net Latin American Poker Tour Chile concluded over the weekend after 4 hard and action-packed days as 651 entrants went after the honours, but it was local player Aliro Diaz who emerged triumphant from the five hour final table to claim the $76,560 main prize – diluted by a six-way chop earlier in the game.
 
At the start of Day 4 the final table comprised chip leader Sergio Escobar of Colombia on 1,845,000, chased by Felipe Velasquez of Chile (1,840,000) and Nicholas Batt – Colombia, Javier Venegas – Argentina, Halysson Sala – Brazil, Joao Lopes – Brazil, Leonardo Olivares – Chile, and fellow Chilean Aliro Diaz.
 
Payouts in the top six were spread wider by a six-player chop through which chip leader Velasquez (at that point) guaranteed himself $60,000, while the other five players accepted minimum returns each of $40,000. This meant that first place would eventually pay out $76,560, and the runner up would claim $66,000.
 
The departure of Brazil's Jaoa Lopes in third place set up a heads up confrontation between Diaz and his countryman Leonardo Olivares which lasted only eight hands and resulted in Diaz taking home the winner's cash and the trophy.