$2,700 No Limit Hold'em Main Event | 2008 PokerStars.net LAPT Punta del Este

08-09-2008 12:36 UTC-3

Final Table Bios: Seat 4: Lisandro Gallo (465,000)

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Lisandro Gallo is a 41-year-old father of three from Argentina. He has been playing poker for about ten years and is primarily a tournament player. By day, he is the manager of a company that specializes in agricultural products.

It has been tough going over the last two days for Gallo. When the tournament broke down to two tables, he was sitting with just 40,000 chips. A run of good cards and a little bit of luck sent him shooting upwards though, and he is back in the healthy range.

Despite his struggles, Gallo is supremely confident that he can win. "When I walked in here the first day, I pointed at the final table and told my friends, 'That table is waiting for me!'" he says. His prophecy has been fulfilled, and he finds himself at said final table, and sitting comfortably with 465,000 in chips.

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08-09-2008 12:33 UTC-3

Final Table Bios: Seat 3: Jose Miguel Espinar (675,000)

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Jose Miguel began playing poker in December 2007 but took to the game instantly. Only a month later, he found himself at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in the Bahamas. A friend convinced him to leave his job and dedicate himself to poker.

It was a good decision.

Jose Miguel came 44th at the PCA, winning $24,000. Following that, he played all the rest of the European Poker Tour Season 4 events. He came to LAPT Punta del Este with a bunch of Spanish friends but has been the only one to make the money. He reached the final table courtesy of busting Team PokerStars Pro Vanessa Rousso, who came 10th. Vanessa had the misfortune to find pocket 9s against Jose Miguel’s pocket Aces.

Espinar is in fine shape to start play; he is in third place with 675,000 in chips.

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08-09-2008 12:30 UTC-3

Final Table Bios: Seat 2: Alexandre Gomes (763,000)

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Just two years ago, Alexandre Gomes was engulfed in pursuit of a career as a lawyer. He played poker casually but was a partner in a corporate law firm and had his secular goals clearly in the forefront. Once he started playing poker seriously, though, he found himself winning big money almost immediately. He had to make a big decision about his future path and now says he has no regrets about taking on his new profession.

The last six weeks have brought great success for Gomes. At the WSOP, he managed to take down the $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em event, pocketing $770,540 and a shiny gold bracelet. PokerStars signed him on to their team, and they are proud to have him representing them at the final table today.

Recreationally, Gomes enjoys sports of all kinds, particularly soccer, which he plays regularly. Online, he is known as "Allingomes", but he is quickly becoming equally well-known for his live tournament ventures. He will begin play today with the chip lead, sitting on 763,000 chips.

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08-09-2008 12:24 UTC-3

Final Table Bios: Seat 1: Sidney Chreem (93,000)

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Sidney Chreem is 38 years old and is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Playing under the moniker "flintstom" on PokerStars, Sidney is primarily a tournament player who enjoys playing both live and online. His final table today counts as his best live tournament finish.

Sidney began his gaming career as a backgammon player, but found poker to be a more lucrative venture. In his real life, he runs a chain of clothing stores back in Rio. He is happily married to his wife Silvia who is back home caring for their two children -- Laura and Gustavo. "We talk every day though so I can tell her I'm getting on," he says. "I'm in this tournament to win so I expect to do well today."

Chreem will begin the day on the short stack, sitting with 93,000 chips, and poised to fight the uphill battle in front of him.

Tags: Sidney Chreem

08-09-2008 11:49 UTC-3

Welcome to the Final Table

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Hello and welcome back to our coverage of the PokerStars.net LAPT Punta del Este. The room is being prepared for action as a swarm of staff is scurrying around setting up cameras, tables, chips, lights, and clocks.

The staff has informed us that play will be delayed by one hour again today as there is still much to do before we can get rolling. Don't wander too far, we'll be back at 1:00pm sharp for the start of our final table!