They began with 351 and now they’re down to eight. The final table for the LAPT event in Punta del Este, Uruguay, has been set. And here are the players who made it. Each is now guaranteed at least $17,025, although all will be eyeing the first prize of $241,735.

Alexandre Gomes, Brazil, Team PokerStars Pro, 763,000
Gylbert Drolet, Canada, PokerStars player, 691,000
Jose Miguel Espinar, Spain, 675,000
Lisandro Gallo, Argentina, 465,000
Alex Brenes, Costa Rica, 457,000
Paulo Ribeiro, Brazil, PokerStars player, 281,000
Juan Jose Perez, Argentina, 167,000
Sidney Chreem, Brazil, 93,000

You may notice one of those names leaping from the page, that of Team PokerStars Pro Alexandre Gomes. He earned a place on the team when he won a World Series bracelet this summer, becoming the first to do so from Brazil. Understandably he travelled home as something of a hero and his performances here have proven already that he is no flash in the pan.

Team PokerStars Pro Alexandre Gomes

Gomes started strong and finished stronger. He settled the final table late on when he made a mandatory value call against short-stacked Carlos Curi's pre-flop all in. Gomes managed to outdraw the Argentinian and we reached the last eight with his name at the top.

The other familiar face around tomorrow's felt will be Alex Brenes, brother of Team PokerStars Pro Humberto Brenes, but an LAPT star in his own right after reaching the final table of the inaugural event in Rio de Janeiro in May. Back then he came fourth for $62,800.

Of course, in order to reach this point in the tournament, we have to have shed a great many others, and among the unfortunate fallers today were Team PokerStars Pros Vanessa Rousso, Humberto Brenes and Greg Raymer, who all had high hopes but came up just short.

Team PokerStars Pro Vanessa Rousso

Rousso must be feeling especially disappointed after she seemed set for a stunning final table appearance but ran pocket nines into the aces of Jose Miguel Espinar to bust in tenth. But after a short cooling off period, Lady Maverick can look back on a spectacular showing here in Punta del Este. And she has $11,065 reasons to be cheerful.

Team PokerStars Pro Humberto Brenes

Humberto Brenes also made the money, his first cash on the LAPT, and it meant a great deal to the Costa Rican poker legend. Amazingly, this was the first time the Team PokerStars Pro had cashed in a PokerStars-sponsored event, despite dozens of lifetime cashes in the World Series. Certainly worth the wait.

So it is that we'll reconvene here at noon tomorrow and prepare to play to a champion. The LAPT is almost done for its first season, but the grand finale tomorrow will surely be worth waiting for.

All the work from the video blog team, including an archive of previous coverage, can be found over a PokerStars.tv

All photographs (c) Joe Giron/IMPDI