When the players began to circulate before the start of today’s event in Margarita Venezuela tension filled the air. The structure which was planned to start with 5m in chips and 100k 200k blinds and only 25 minute levels was at the centre of the discussions. Management were adamant that it wouldn’t change but an uprising just prior to the cards in the air resulted in 2.5m in additional starting chips and an increase of 1.5m in the chips received for a rebuy.

A lack of poker tables in the casino meant that the 100 strong field would be separated into two flights. Each day 50 players would play down to 10, with the final 20 fighting it out on Sunday.

Finally and in the strangest turn of events, it turned out that the rebuys wouldn’t enter the prize pool and were for casino profit only. This kept a lot of players from rebuying from a pure moral standpoint.

Its no doubt that this is the first time an international poker event has been held on the beautiful Caribbean island of Margarita, and with grimaces the poker community got on with the job at hand in the knowledge that the next tournament here can’t work this way.

SO the poker began. And everyone quickly got on with the job. Well known faces in Latin American poker such as Jorge Arias aka Twin Caracas of online poker fame started an early charge and other sizeable early stacks included Dominican Republic runner up Arturo Morales who ran QQ into AA but caught a Q on the flop.

By the first break a lot of players were already beginning to feel the strain of the rising blinds. Soon after the break in a very unfortunate incident, Karlo Lopez moved all in from the small blind on a big blind whose owner was no where near the table. Unfortunately it seems in Margarita you are given a quick call on your mobile to find out where you are and if you would be interested having a look at your cards seeing as you have money invested. Unfortunately for Karlo the man on the mobile said yes and that was it. Sometimes the worst beats have nothing to do with the cards!

By the time the final 10 were taking shape to familiar faces started to lead the way. Rory McHugh and Arturo Morales, winner and runner up in the Dominican Republic event clearly wanting another shot at a Majestic Poker Tour Title. Both had their lucky moments. Rory had moved all in for 14m from the button with 7c3h only to be called by As7h and hit the magic 3. But he never looked back taking control of the table in a succession of hands. Arturo similarly had reraised all in with Kd8s only to be called by QcQd and Ah7h only to hit a K on the turn.

Here are the final chip counts from day 1 in Margarita. Day 2 sees the second 50 players take their shot at making Sundays semi-final and final. Check back here tomorrow for an update. Remember we’ll be following the final table on Sunday LIVE right here on www.latinamericapoker.com

Day 1 Flight 1 Chip Counts