Joao Simao Kicks Off BSOP Super High Roller Series in Style, Taking Down $10,000 SHR Invitational
The 2025 BSOP Super High Roller Series got off to the best start possible here at the WTC Sheraton in São Paulo. The $10,000 SHR Invitational embraced the Brazilian festival spirit, bringing a different kind of energy to the tables — one far removed from the usual mix of headphones, hoods and sunglasses.
There was a shared enjoyment among those competing in this exclusive invite-only event — so much so that you could almost forget there was a $1,130,000 prize pool on the line, with conversation and laughter carrying across the room and smiles at every table.
When all was said and done, one player had the widest smile of all. Brazilian poker star Joao Simao outlasted a 113-strong field that blended part-time players with world-class professionals to claim the first trophy of the 2025 BSOP SHR Series — along with a cool $256,000.
$10,000 SHR Invitational - Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joao Simao | Brazil | $256,000 |
| 2 | Ivan Luca | Argentina | $174,000 |
| 3 | Thiago Macedo | Brazil | $112,000 |
| 4 | Dennys Ramos | Brazil | $93,000 |
| 5 | Eduardo Parra | Brazil | $75,000 |
| 6 | Rafael Mota | Brazil | $60,000 |
| 7 | Luiz Ferreira | Brazil | $45,000 |
| 8 | Vinicius Rezende | Brazil | $34,000 |
| 9 | Gabriel Tavares | Brazil | $26,000 |
Winners Reaction
Fresh off his victory in the $10,000 Super High Roller Invitational, Simao spoke to PokerNews to reflect on what the win means to him, his experience at the BSOP Millions, and the level of competition he faced.
“I’m very happy to take home this trophy. Last year, at the BSOP Millions, I made two or three final tables, had some nice deep runs, and didn’t win any trophies—not even for third place. I swear I was left with that feeling of really wanting a trophy, because it’s something I look at and keep on the shelf next to my computer.”
As he continued, it was clear this win carried a personal significance that went beyond the payday.
“I didn’t keep any of my trophies before moving to the United States, so I don’t have any BSOP trophy there. Sometimes I look at the shelf and think how much I’d like to have one from the BSOP—that nice feeling of looking at it and remembering Brazil and friends. Now I’m taking home a special one.”
Simao had been vocal on social media in the lead-up to the event, encouraging players to come and share in what he expected to be a standout festival. Having now lived the experience, he struggled—happily—to put the atmosphere into words.
“It’s even hard to put into words, because I end up sounding repetitive, but I truly think it’s spectacular. I really want to support it as much as possible because what they’re building is something very special.”
He spoke passionately about what it means to return home for an event of this scale, especially while living abroad.
“For me, seeing Brazil at this level—having a tournament of this calibre to play in Brazil—is great. And since I live abroad, it’s even more convenient for me to come play the event, visit family, and reconnect with friends. My mom is coming here to meet me, my brother, my uncle—it's amazing.”
The personal connections run deep for him, and so does his loyalty to the people behind the series.
“The people behind the BSOP are my friends, so I genuinely want to support it as much as I can. I take pride and pleasure in promoting the BSOP in the United States. Someone even asked if I was a partner in the tournament because I really invited everyone I met while playing the NAPT and later the PokerGO events. So it’s all joy.”
Finally, the conversation shifted to the final table—one packed with elite Brazilian talent. Simao didn’t hide the respect he has for his opponents.
“The level is really high—Brazilians are very good. That was good in the sense that it required maximum focus from me, but of course, you need luck to beat these guys. You can’t win without luck on your side; they’re very, very good.”
From his pride in the BSOP community to the emotions tied to bringing home a trophy that reminds him of Brazil, Simao’s victory was clearly about more than just chips and cards. It marked a meaningful moment in a career already defined by excellence.
Final Table Action
The final table got off to an electric start, with Ivan Luca finding an early double up before serving up the first elimination. His pocket kings proved more than enough to send Gabriel Tavares home, whose pocket jacks met an untimely end.
No sooner had one player fallen than Vinicius Rezende followed him out the door, losing a flip against Thiago Macedo.
Luiz Ferreira was next to go, pushing his very short stack all in preflop against two opponents and failing to survive the hand.
Macedo would soon claim another victim. Just as Rafael Mota was gaining some momentum, his pocket twos ran straight into a pair of queens and he was unable to catch up.
Champion Simão then claimed his first victim of the final table, eliminating Eduardo Parra in fifth place.
From there, Simao steadily pulled away. A mix of uncalled raises, continuation bets, and even walks in the big blind helped him extend his lead and keep distance from the rest of the field.
Third and fourth places were decided in quick succession, as Dennys Ramos departed first, followed closely by Thiago Macedo.
It was then just Luca that stood between Simao and victory on home soil.
Simao began the heads-up match in the lead, but a series of small pots early on went Luca's way to see him move ahead.
Then, with the players' stacks almost identical, Simao moved all in with ace-six and at was at risk versus king-queen. His hand managed to hold, seeing him take an almighty chip lead.
Despite Luca threatening to stage a comeback, winning three all-ins in a row, the fourth proved to be a step too far. Simao winning a flip with queen-jack versus pocket sixes, to claim the glory, the trophy and the lion's share of the prize pool.
That concludes the coverage for $10,000 SHR Invitational, but be sure to stay tuned as PokerNews coverage continues throughout the BSOP Super High Roller Series.