The International Poker Tournament took place in Punta del Este at the Conrad Resort & Casino and was a big success. Inscriptions were record-breakers (303 players) and the first place winner took home almost 250,000 dollars.

Players from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay participated in the tournament. Fernando Albuquerque (BRA), Eugenio Carmo (BRA) and Rodrigo Vásques (CHI), who are now able to play at the WSoP 2006 at Las Vegas, won the first three places.

Albuquerque won 226,000; 45% of the grand total. The three players will travel to Las Vegas with all expenses paid for two and the inscription for the world-renowned tournament.

Conrad Casino is the only one in South America that grants direct classification to the WSoP, which will have a first prize of 20 million dollars. The tournament will take place on July 26th at the Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and will be transmitted by ESPN.

More than 8,000 players are expected for the main event.