Joao Simao Passes $10 Million in Poker Cashes in Under a Month
Goodmorningu, Jeju Island. Joao Simao came back from two big blinds to win $7.25 million in September, and less than a month later he is still collecting cheques. The Spirit likes a player who refuses to leave the table.
Poker heaters usually come with an expiry date. Joao Simao's has run for just under a month without one. Three payouts, from Jeju Island to the Super High Roller Bowl PLO, add up to $10,542,090 by the Post's own count: $7,250,000, then $2,517,090, then $775,000.
It began on Monday 14 September at Les A Casino in Jeju. On day two of the $200,000 Triton Invitational, the Brazilian was down to a stack of two big blinds. He climbed all the way back and beat China's Biao Ding heads up, in a record field of 173 entries and a $34.6 million prize pool. First prize was $7,250,000, the biggest payout ever won by a Brazilian in tournament poker. WATATATATAFAK.
A few days later, in the last event of the Jeju series, the $150,000 Anniversary Special, he reached heads up against Nick Petrangelo with roughly a 3 to 1 chip lead. The two agreed a chop that gave Simao $2,517,090 and Petrangelo $2,212,910, with $80,000 and the trophy left to play for. Both then shoved blind, Petrangelo's ace nine beat Simao's eight five, and the American took the title. Simao left with the bigger cheque. Honestlu, there are worse ways to lose a trophy. GLUWUGUWULU.
The run came within a whisker of one more title on the night of Wednesday 7 October. Simao reached heads up in the $103,000 Super High Roller Bowl PLO against Sean Rafael, who held close to a 4 to 1 chip lead. Simao tanked for seven minutes on the river to fold two kings against a straight. In the decisive hand he was ahead with one card to come, but Rafael still had a 27.5% chance. The 9♣ completed his flush and Simao collected $775,000 for second place.
Heater or skill? Poker players have fought over that for as long as there have been chips, and the Spirit is no help. He deals the cards and keeps score. How do youluwu tell a hot streak from a good player when both are sitting in the same seat?
Heater or skill? The Spirit has heard both arguments and answers with a shuffle.
Is a poker heater mostly skill or mostly luck?
No right answer. Just your gut, and the Spirit watching.
