Oscar Alache Earns his Second LAPT Title in Chile

Tuesday was a big day for Oscar Alache as he added a second LAPT title to his resume, joining the likes of Nacho Barbero.

Alache’s first victory came in 2014 during the LAPT7 when he outlasted 692 players in the Grand Final event. Only months later, the Chilean is back on the throne, this time playing on his home turf. It was a truly good start of the year for him, as apart from winning the Main, he also took down a side event at the Enjoy Vina del Mar Casino.

Alache started the day second in chips, trailing his compatriot, Fabian Chauriye, but it did not take him long to seize the lead and ride it all the way to victory. With eight players coming back to play for the title on the final day, the dream of winning a second title did not seem unreachable – and it wasn’t.

There was another player at the final table, however, looking to make history of his own. Argentinean Nacho Barbero was one of the final eight and the only player with a shot at his third LAPT title!

Dreams came closer to realization with every player exit, as Rodrigo Oliver and Rodrigo Quezada, both from Chile, were sent to the rail, leaving only six to fight it out for the title.

Chauriye may have started the day a chip leader, but things started going south for him from the moment cards were in the air. His bumpy voyage was finally over when he ran into the pocket Jacks of the only lady at the final table, Renata Teixeira. For his sixth place finish, Chauriye received compensation of $39,620.

Another Chilean was sent to the rail next, leaving only Alache to defend the honor of their home country. It was Justo Esquivel who was felted by Nacho Barbero. Esquivel earned $51,460 for his efforts and the tournament was down to four players.

After some chip movements, the remaining four decided to strike a deal, leaving $20,000 on the side for the winner. Soon after that, Nacho Barbero’s dreams of capturing his third title were crushed by the lady who sent him to the rail in fourth place. Teixeira also claimed Vengas’ chips, eliminating an Argentinean presence from the final table.

Barbero and Vengas earned $100,073 and $86,505, respectively, and the stage was set for a heads-up match between Renata Teixeira and Oscar Alache. Renata, who started the final confrontation with a slight chip lead, had already bested the highest finish by a woman in an LAPT event and was looking good for the title.

It wasn’t to be, however, as chips and cards kept falling Alache’s way. First he seized the lead and then administered the finishing blow when his pocket Tens held up against the aq of Teixeira and it was all over.

Oscar Alache claimed his second LAPT title in six months. Together with the trophy, he took home a well-earned prize $131,962, while Renata Teixeira, the only representative of Brazil at this final table, earned $113,460 for her great performance.

Photo: Carlos Monti, PokerStars Blog