The first edition of the Poker Stars LAPT Nuevo Vallarta event was suspended after 10 hours of action on Day 1 in what seems to be an unexpected and dirty maneuver by the Mexican gaming officials. A few hours after the unanticipated suspension, the tournament’s officials announced that the tournament has been canceled due to "an indefinite suspension of served on one of its local partners."

The predicament started during Day 1 when, after tournament director Mike Ward called for an unprepared break at about 10:30 p.m. Only a few minutes later, the tournament organizers politely asked players to leave the poker room and shortly after that, all media crews covering the event as well as the supervisors and dealers were asked to also leave the room. A few hours later, Ward informed the media and players that the Mexican government took the decision of canceling the LAPT's gaming license after monitoring the tournament for nearly 10 hours on Day 1.

Ward asked players to stay calmed and to return at 12:00 p.m. the next day to continue with the tournament, however, on Saturday at 5 p.m. the LAPT organizers announced the event’s cancelation. Even when the suspension details have not been discussed yet, PokerStars has published an official statement on their website giving some details of what happened:

“The Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT) confirms that it is cancelling the poker tournament in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, due to an indefinite suspension served on one of its local partners. The LAPT states it has cooperated fully and in good faith with the requirements outlined by the Mexican government.  The LAPT respects and abides by local regulations in each market.

LAPT's partner in Mexico obtained a formal ruling from the Mexican Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB) allowing the event to take place.  As the LAPT compiled with every rule stipulated by the Code of the Mexican Federal Law of Games and Raffles, the reasons for suspension are being reviewed by lawyers of all parties."

The LAPT organization said that all the 89 players holding chips at the moment of the suspension would receive at least twice the tournament’s buy in as well as an extra $500 for the inconvenience courtesy of PokerStars.com.