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Rafael Moraes
Rafael Moraes is a titan of Brazilian poker, an elite PokerStars Team Pro, and the CEO of the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP). From his roots as a semi-professional chess player to becoming the first Brazilian to win a $1 million prize in a single online tournament, “GM_VALTER” has transitioned from a high-stakes crusher into one of the most powerful executives in Latin American gaming. Currently ranking 15th on Brazil’s all-time money list, he is the primary architect behind the explosive growth of the Brazilian circuit in 2026.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings surpassing $3,023,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Moraes is a multi-million dollar winner whose influence extends far beyond the live felt. His career-best live score of $655,779 (€568,200) was achieved at the 2016 EPT Monte Carlo High Roller.
Moraes has remained a consistent force through 2024 and 2025, and into early 2026. His recent highlights include:
- January 2026: 11th place in the BSOP Summer Grand High Roller for $8,078.
- November 2025: 6th place in the BSOP Millions Super High Roller for $81,411.
- June 2025: 6th place in the EPT Barcelona €10,200 Event for $56,758.
- May 2025: 3rd place in the BSOP Gramado Super High Roller for $147,000.
- July 2023: 196th place in the WSOP Main Event for $58,500.
Combined with over $7 million in recorded online winnings, his estimated poker net worth exceeds $10 million.
Biography & Poker Background
Born in São Paulo, Moraes was a semi-professional chess player before discovering poker in 2009 at age 18. Applying the analytical rigor of chess to the virtual felt, he became a founding member of the 4bet Poker Team, one of the world’s most successful stable-and-study groups. In 2019, he made history by winning the inaugural “Venom” tournament on ACR for $1,050,560, the largest single prize ever won by a Brazilian online at the time.
In a landmark career move, Moraes was appointed CEO of the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) in 2024, succeeding founder Igor Trafane. Under his leadership, the BSOP has transitioned from a tournament series into a massive entertainment brand, with a stated goal of tripling revenue by 2026. He is a key member of Team PokerStars Pro and a partner in the esports organization FURIA, often collaborating with his close friend and fellow legend André Akkari and global ambassador Neymar Jr.
Play Style & Strategy
Moraes is renowned for a “highly mathematical, aggressive, and theoretically sound” play style. His background in chess provides a foundation for elite patience and deep-level thinking, allowing him to excel in high-stakes “6-Max” and “Super High Roller” formats where the margins for error are razor-thin.
His strategy revolves around:
- GTO Precision: Utilizing advanced solvers to maintain a near-perfect technical baseline, particularly in the PokerStars online high-stakes environment.
- Content-Driven Growth: Leveraging his massive Twitch and YouTube following to analyze hands in real-time, helping to educate the next generation of Brazilian “Tropa do Valtão” players.
- Executive Discipline: Balancing his duties as CEO with a high-volume professional schedule, a feat requiring elite time management and mental stamina.
Social Media & Online Presence
Follow the CEO of Brazilian poker as he continues to lead the Latin American boom:
Video Highlights:
Callum Jury is SoMuchPoker's Live Content and Social Media Specialist, reporting live from WSOP and Asia Pacific poker festivals including the APT and PokerStars LIVE series. Originally from the Lake District in the UK, he has covered the Southeast Asian poker circuit since 2025, combining day-by-day tournament reporting with the social and digital content that brings the action to fans.
