Joao Simao is a legendary Brazilian professional poker player who stands as one of the most successful and versatile figures in South American poker history, dominating both online arenas and the highest stakes of the live tournament circuit. A four-time WSOP bracelet winner and two-time Triton champion, Simao cemented his status as the greatest Brazilian poker player of all time in September 2026 when he won the Triton Invitational in Jeju, South Korea for $7,250,000 - the largest prize of his career and the highest amount ever won by a Brazilian player in tournament poker history.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With total live earnings now exceeding $28,200,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Simao leads Brazil‘s all-time money list by over $12 million. His career-best cash of $7,250,000 came from winning the 2026 Triton Invitational $200,000 NLH in Jeju in September 2026 - a 173-entry event with a $34,600,000 prize pool.

Notable results include:

• September 2026: 1st place in the Triton Invitational $200,000 NLH in Jeju for $7,250,000 - his career-best cash and second Triton title.
• June 2026: 1st place in WSOP Event #55: $50,000 PLO High Roller for $1,368,700 - his fourth WSOP bracelet, defeating Santhosh Suvarna heads-up.
• 2026: 1st place in the U.S. Poker Open Event #8: $15,000 NLH for $292,800.
• December 2025: 1st place in the WSOP Paradise $150,000 Triton NLH Eight-Max for $3,067,000 - his third WSOP bracelet.
• December 2025: 1st place in the Super High Roller Bowl X in Las Vegas for $1,100,000, defeating Jason Koon heads-up.
• 2026: Final table appearance in the Triton Montenegro $50,000 NLH 8-Handed for $153,000.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Simao began his poker journey in the late 2000s. Before transitioning full-time to the live circuit, he was a powerhouse in the online realm under the aliases “joaosimaobh” and “INeedMassari,” amassing nearly $7.6 million in online cashes, securing a PokerStars COOP Triple Crown, and ranking as the PocketFives number one online player in the world multiple times in 2016. He spent years representing partypoker as a team ambassador, serving as a key driving force behind the poker boom across Brazil and Latin America.

His 2026 Triton Invitational victory in Jeju was built on a remarkable comeback through the final stages. He made the decisive move against runner-up Biao Ding when his pocket kings held on a nine-high board against Ding’s ten-nine on the turn, ending the match and securing the trophy and the $7,250,000 first-place prize.

Speaking after the win, Simao said: “It’s unreal, really. There are no words, you know? I feel so, so lucky, so blessed. It’s the type of stuff that happens once in your life.” His fourth WSOP bracelet, won in June 2026 in the $50,000 PLO High Roller, prompted an equally iconic celebration - the Brazilian tradition of “tetra,” reserved for the fourth title. “When Brazil won the World Cup the fourth time, we used to call out ‘tetra, tetra.’ That means the fourth title. It’s very special for Brazilian people.”

Play Style & Strategy

Simao is celebrated for his highly adaptive and technically fearless play style. While an exceptional No-Limit Hold’em specialist, he is an elite force in non-NLH variants, having claimed two of his four WSOP bracelets in PLO and mixed game formats. His strategic foundation blends the mathematical precision required to defeat modern GTO-heavy fields with sharp exploitative instincts. His resilience under immense high-stakes ICM pressure - demonstrated most recently by overcoming a heads-up deficit against Santhosh Suvarna in the WSOP $50K PLO and mounting a comeback run through the 173-entry Triton Invitational - makes him one of the most formidable final table opponents in the modern era.

Social Media & Online Presence

• The Hendon Mob Profile
• WSOP Official Profile
• X (Twitter) Profile