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1:05pm: Level 2 begins (blinds 75-150)
12:56pm: No relief in sight
It looks like the temperature of the room is going to be a variable that the tournament staff can't control. Players are adjusting by stripping off their usual layers of warm casino clothing. We're still getting to know the field but as of yet there hasn't been much big action.
One thing we have noticed (as barely proficient Spanish speakers) is that none of the tournament announcements are being made in English. That's not so surprising -- almost all of South America speaks Spanish, and even in Brazil, where Portuguese is the primary language, Spanish is understood -- but it does represent a departure from the LAPT norm.
12:38pm: Feelin' hot, hot, hot
An unfortunate side effect of being as accommodating as possible and maximizing the number of players that can fit in a small space: body heat. The tournament floor is quite warm at the moment, and while that could be considered a welcome change from the usual Arctic chill that permeates casinos, several players have already complained. Team PokerStars Pro Angel Guillen flagged down one of the LAPT staff and made a fanning motion with both hands, begging for someone to figure out how to turn up the A/C.
It doesn't help that there are at least 50 spectators packed along the rail, adding their own warmth to the proceedings.
12:22pm: What a field!
With most of the players now settled into their seats, it's clear that this is going to be a massive field. Nearly every seat is filled at the 33 tables in the room. So far four Team PokerStars Pros have been spotted: Cristian de Leon (Mexico); Jose Barbero (Argentina); Angel Guillen (Mexico); and Humberto Brenes (Costa Rica). We also noticed that Season 4 Punta del Este champion Alex Komaromi, Season 4 Sao Paulo champion Alex Manzano and Season 4 Lima final table player Daniel Ospina are here in Medellin to try to add to their LAPT Season 4 success.
No doubt we'll be getting to know more of the field in short order.

12:05pm: Shuffle up and deal!
They're crammed in for the first ever LAPT event to take place in Colombia. The LAPT staff has managed to squeeze more than 30 ten-handed tables into the tournament space for Day 1a, and it looks like all of them are going to be in use.
After the usual logistics, cards are in the air. Players are starting with a 15,000-chip stack and blinds of 50 and 100.


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