Espinar wins PokerStars LAPT Punta del Este Title

How's that for making a name for yourself huh?

While the 2008 World Series of Poker gets ready for the final table on November, Jose Miguel Espinar wanted to prove his poker prowess despite being a newbie in the game.

Well, do that he just did. Jose Miguel Espinar came out on top at the end of PokerStars' Latin America Poker Tour Punte del Este championship. This may have proven that despite starting his poker career only in December 2007, Espinar's previous cash win at PokerStars' Caribbean Adventure was not a fluke.

The LAPT Punte del Este, which kicked off last August 7, attracted a total of 351 players. It was a $2,500 buy-in tournament and the total prize pool exceeded $850,000. This meant that the Spaniard Espinar took home a very respectable $241,735.

This guy only started in late 2007? This is the stuff poker dreams are made of.

Espinar was third in chips coming into the final table but he soon emerged on top after eliminating Paulo Cesar Ribeiro and Jose Perez in quick succession. Espinar's luck seemed unbeatable early in the game when he hit quads to bust Ribeiro and dealt Perez with an ugly bad beat after his A-J won against Perez' pocket aces.

When the dust settled, it was Espinar and Alex Brenes left standing with Espinar holding a slight chip advantage. Heads up play lasted for several hours with both players choosing to play cautious. Unfortunately for Brenes, he ended up crippled after a hand involving A-10 and A-9.

In an effort to double up, Brenes pushed in desperation with an A-10 but it was Espinar's day when he hit the flop hard with his K-3. Brenes had to be satisfied with 2nd place and $127,675.

Lisandro Gallo finished in 3rd place for $93,630 while Alexandre Gomes came in at fourth place for $68,100. Other poker notables who made ITM at the LAPT Punte del Este were Alex Brenes' popular brother, Humberto Brenes, who cashed in at 20th place and Vanessa Rousso who displayed a strong showing by coming in 10th.

Just a little something while you prepare for the final table of the 2008 WSOP.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker Latin America Poker Tour