Just one hand after being crippled when he doubled up Jose Miguel Espinar, Alex Brenes gets his last $40,000 into the middle holding A T and sees Espinar turn up K 3. Brenes looks good to double up, but the flop comes K 9 7 to give Espinar a pair of kings and the lead.

Brenes needs to hit an ace or running cards (and fade a club) if he wants to stay alive, but the turn is the 4 and the river the 9 and Jose Espinar is champion!

For the win, Espinar (who only started playing poker in December of 2007) earns $241,735 and two gigantic LAPT-branded vases. Brenes takes home $127,675 and nightmares of that ten on the turn.

Congratulations to both finalists and to PokerStars and the LAPT for a wildly successful first season. We're already looking forward to Season 2!

Alex Brenes raises to $450,000 and Jose Miguel Espinar moves all-in over the top. Brenes thinks for a moment or two before acquiescing and making the call, having Espinar covered by only $40,000. Espinar, however, has the best hand, showing A-T to Brenes' A-9.

Brenes huddles with brother Humberto as the Costa Ricans in the audience scream for a nine. The flop brings that nine and the Brenes bros (and the audience alongside) go nuts as SharkBro takes the lead.

The turn, however, is a dagger ten and Espinar retakes the lead in excruciating fashion. The river card is a brickly five and Espinar doubles, crippling Brenes and all but ending the match.

After an amazing break that featured tournament staff, PokerStars personnel, video crew members and audience members alike frolicking in the tournament area as Erasure boomed over the sound system, the break is over and the cards are back in the air with increased blinds and antes and renewed hopes for a quick conclusion.

Chip counts have Jose Miguel Espinar at $1,950,000 and Alex Brenes at $1,570,000.

We're now on break. For 10 minutes. And then the madness will continue.

It's been a slow level, folks, but recently Alex Brenes broke from tradition and actually raised to $180,000 pre-flop (previously he'd limped about 80% of his buttons). Jose Miguel Espinar was not, however, concerned, announcing a reraise to $310,000. Brenes went into the tank but ultimately laid it down, and that was that.

Jose Miguel Espinar raises to $180,000. Alex Brenes gives the matter some thought in the big blind and then moves all-in. Espinar lays down the hand and Brenes takes it.

The 25th level of the tournament is over and we play right through the level change into the 26th level of the tournament. There will be no break until the end of this level.

Alex Brenes limps in and Jose Miguel Espinar checks his option. The flop comes A-A-8 and Espinar bets out $65,000. Brenes makes the call and the turn is a deuce. Espinar now fires $180,000 into the pot and Brenes again makes the call. The river is a six and Espinar checks. Brenes fires out $300,000 and after some thought, Espinar matches the bet. Brenes shows A-9 for trips and takes down the pot.

Brenes is now on $1.6 million while Espinar still holds the lead with $2 million.

Alex Brenes limps in and Jose Miguel Espinar checks his option. The flop comes Q-8-6 with two hearts and both players check. The turn is the 9 and Espinar bets $60,000. Brenes makes the call and the river is the 3. Espinar checks and Brenes bets $200,000. Espinar lays it down and the pot goes to Brenes.

Chip counts have Espinar with $2,550,000 and Brenes with $1,250,000.

Jose Miguel Espinar raises to $105,000 and Alex Brenes makes the call. The flop comes 9-7-6 with two diamonds and Brenes checks. Espinar bets $160,000 and Brenes mulls things over before making the call. The turn is the 4 and Brenes bets out $400,000. Now it's Espinar's turn to ruminate and he does, giving the matter a bit of his attention and ultimately deciding to move all-in.

Brenes stands, his brow furrowed in consternation as he contemplates the call. After a few tense minutes the Costa Rican folds and Espinar takes a whopper of a pot, to the obvious delight of the pro-Spanish audience.