button in SafariFlattered but Motivated: Joao Vieira Reacts to 25k Fantasy Draft Price
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In 2019, Joao Vieira won only the fourth bracelet ever by a Portuguese player. Fast forward to 2026, and he's now won four all by himself.
Vieira was one of six players who won their fourth bracelet at the 2025 WSOP, and is back this year ready for more.
We caught up with the Winamax Ambassador to see how he's settling into this year's summer and what awaits him at this year's WSOP.
Back at WSOP Summer Camp
Vieira spoke with PokerNews as he gets his summer underway, looking forward to playing a full WSOP schedule between now and mid-July.
"It always feels great to be back," he said. "I know people say this every year, but it just really feels like a summer camp! I love this city, I love the WSOP. I'm pretty happy to come back and just hang out with the boys."
"It just really feels like a summer camp"
Before the WSOP began, Vieira was one of nearly 200 players selected in the 25k Fantasy Draft. The Portuguese player was one of four, alongside Shaun Deeb, Daniel Negreanu and Michael Moncek, whose price tags exceeded the $100 mark.
Teams clearly recognized the performance of a man who won the $100,000 High Roller for $2,649,158 less than 12 months ago.
That coupled with a final table performance in the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship has seen Vieira rewarded with being the fourth-most expensive player in this year's 25k Fantasy Draft.
Extra Motivation for 2026
Since winning his first bracelet in 2019 in the $5,000 6-Max, Vieira has gone on quite a journey and says he sees the price Ren Lin's Team Lady Gaga paid for him as a sign of respect from his peers.
"It's kind of flattering. It's always really nice to be picked quite high. I've done quite well with the fantasy points over the last few years.
"So it gives me a little extra drive to do well and justify being the fourth-most expensive pick. Maybe next year I can try to shoot a little higher!"
When asked for other players he's keeping his eye on in 2026, Vieira doesn't hesitate to identify some heavy hitters in the WSOP arena.
"I think Shaun [Deeb]'s got to be the one you always pick. I think there's a very good chance he goes on and eventually beats Hellmuth's record.
"I think it's him, Yuri Dzivielevski, and Benny Glaser because those are the guys that I like the most, and I think those three are the ones who are more likely to win more bracelets."
Taking It Step by Step
Every player has their own approach to the summer, whether it's ensuring adequate breaks, ample hydration in the desert environment, or ensuring the support network of friends and family is close by.
However, Vieira thinks differently, taking a leaf out of reigning WSOP Player of the Year Shaun Deeb.
"I heard Shaun [Deeb] saying, I wake up, I play whatever's next, and I try to focus just on that one. It's kind of cliche, but I don't want anything to take the focus away from the tournament I'm playing."
And while he says he would love to win a bracelet, "any" bracelet he says, there's still one extra goal he's aiming to complete.
"I would love to win a bracelet in mixed games. I haven't yet, and I've been close quite a lot."
Another item that might be in his peripheral at the very least, is completing a rare WSOP High Roller Triple Crown. Having won the $50,000 High Roller in 2022, and the $100,000 High Roller in 2025, what odds on Vieira taking down the $250,000 Super High Roller this year?
"I mean I'll take any bracelet. Obviously the bigger buy in, the bigger price pool, the better, but I'm not thinking that too far ahead."
"I'm just thinking about the one I'm playing, and that's all the energy I'm putting in, but we'll see."
Either way, Vieira says he's happy.
"I do what I do, and I love it. Hopefully by the end of the series I've managed to stay sane - usually that's the case. But, playing well and obviously winning a bracelet would be nice.
"At the end of the day when it comes to the World Series, at least in my case, it's about winning a bracelet or not."
With four in the bank already, Vieira's hungry for more. And there's a whole lot of poker still left to be played this summer.
