The Battle of the Brunos: 11 Random Questions for Bruno Foster and Bruno Kawauti
888poker ambassadors Bruno Foster and Bruno Kawauti may not have instances where people confuse them on the basis of looks alone, but there’s sure to be instances where folks have called out a greeting to a “Bruno!” and gotten a chair swivel and response from both ambassadors.
The two are also fast friends, as PokerNews' Chad Holloway found in an interview with Kawauti about Foster's 2014 World Series of Poker experience.
“We are as excited as he is,” Kawauti said speaking on behalf of all Brazilians back in 2014. “I'm coming to Vegas because, besides the fact that he is my teammate in 888poker, Foster is a good friend. He has a positive vibe that is rare to find. I'm very happy for him and anxious to get to Vegas.”
A Stats Battle
Bruno Foster
Age: 33
Also known as: Bruno Vendramini Politano
Hometown: Ceará, Brazil
Spot on the Brazilian All-Time Money List: 4th
Best Live Cash: $947,172
Total Live Earnings: $1,296,196
All-Time Money List Current Rank: 1,090th
Popularity Rank: 1,037th
Recent tournament results:
| Date | Tournament | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 30 | 2016 Brazilian Series of Poker, Natal R$350 No-Limit Hold'em - Last Chance Deepstack Turbo | 3rd | R$8,970/$2,751 |
| Aug. 28 | 2016 Brazilian Series of Poker, Natal R$1,150 No-Limit Hold'em - Turbo Bounty | 1st | R$17,120/$5,235 |
| Aug. 24 | EPT Barcelona (13 and 7) €2,000 + 200 No-Limit Hold'em (Event #37) | 105th | €2,300/$2,605 |
Career Bests:
| Date | Tournament | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 13, 2008 | 2008 Brazilian Series of Poker, Sao Paulo R$1,700 No Limit Hold'em | 1st | R$30,000/$12,614 |
| July 30, 2012 | Brazilian Series of Poker, Sao Paulo R$870 + 130 No Limit Hold'em - Six-Max | 2nd | R$17,500/$8,555 |
| Oct. 11, 2013 | 2013 Brazilian Series Of Poker, Florianopolis R$2,200 No Limit Hold'em - Main Event | 3rd | R$105,000/$47,493 |
| Nov. 30, 2013 | 2013 Brazilian Series Of Poker, Sao Paulo | R$1,150 No Limit Hold'em - Shootout | 5th |
| Feb. 8, 2015 | 2015 Brazilian Series Of Poker, Sao Paulo R$6,000 No Limit Hold'em - High Roller | 3rd | R$115,000/$41,269 |
| March 30, 2015 | 2015 Brazilian Series of Poker, Balneário Camboriú R$3,000 No Limit Hold'em - Last Chance Big | 3rd | R$20,210/$6,216 |
| May 23, 2015 | 2015 Brazilian Series of Poker, Rio Quente R$ 1,500 Pot Limit Omaha | 5th | R$1,220/$363 |
| Jan. 31, 2016 | 2016 Brazilian Series of Poker, Sao Paulo R$7,000 No Limit Hold'em - High Roller | R$95,150/$23,362 | |
| March 8, 2016 | Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT) - Chile, Viña del Mar $600 #16 No Limit Hold'em - Deep Stack | 4th | $5,800 |
| April 27, 2016 | 888 Poker Festival, Balneário Camboriú R$1,200 No Limit Hold'em - Main Event | 4th | R$137,020/$36,618 |
Bruno Kawauti
Age: 30
Also known as: Bruno Pereira Lima Kawauti
Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Spot on the Brazilian All-Time Money List: 9th
Best Live Cash: $451,398
Total Live Earnings: $805,481
All-Time Money List Current Rank:1,853rd
Popularity Rank: 3,671st
Recent tournament results:
| Date | Tournament | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | 2016 Brazilian Series of Poker, Natal R$2,600 No-Limit Hold'em - Main Event | 16th | R$11,880 |
| July 22 | 2016 Brazilian Series of Poker, Sao Paulo R$2,600 No-Limit Hold'em - Main Event | 2nd | R$302,000/$92,483 |
| July 12 | 47th World Series of Poker $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em (Event #63) | 319th | $1,611 |
Career Bests:
| Date | Tournament | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 10, 2012 | 2012 Brazilian Series of Poker, Belo Horizonte R$50 No Limit Hold'em - Super Turbo | 5th | R$300/$148 |
| June 28, 2012 | Deep Stack Extravaganza III, Las Vegas $2,200 No Limit Hold'em | 5th | $13,784 |
| July 1, 2013 | Deep Stack Extravaganza III, Las Vegas $1,100 Pot Limit Omaha | 3rd | $17,564 |
| Aug. 2, 2014 | 2014 Brazilian Series of Poker, Brasília R$1,150 Pot Limit Omaha | 4th | R$9,800/$4,326 |
| Sept. 7, 2014 | 2014 Brazilian Series of Poker, Natal R$1,000 + 150 No Limit Hold'em - Six-Max | 1st | R$34,200/$15,117 |
| March 28, 2015 | 2015 Brazilian Series of Poker, Balneário Camboriú R$1,500 Pot Limit Omaha | 4th | R$12,230/$3,762 |
| July 23, 2015 | 2015 Brazilian Series of Poker, Sao Paulo R$1,500 Pot Limit Omaha | 5th | R$22,060/$6,904 |
Both sets of statistics are courtesy of The Hendon Mob
PokerNews decided to put the Brunos to the test and ask them some random questions via email. Maybe these questions can establish a more distinct delineation between the two players than just looking at their stats.
What motivates you?
Foster: Winning! My best motivation is winning. Do my best and win!
Kawauti: Waking up every day and knowing that I can do what I want.
What is your proudest accomplishment and why?
Foster: My November Nine for sure hehehe…because it was when my dreams came true!!
Kawauti: Proving to myself and my family that it was possible to make a living playing poker. I really believe people should at least try to live their lives doing what they really want instead of doing something just for money, for example.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
Foster: A Footballer/soccer player like every Brazilian guy.
Kawauti: A musician.
When did you know you wanted to be a poker player?
Foster: After I won the Brazilian Championship in 2008!
Kawauti: When I realizes that every day I was waking up thinking about where the next game would be.
What are your hobbies? Any that have helped you in your poker game?
Foster: I like to play football and I love to see series on Netflix. They are both good for thinking about other things. I live for poker 24/7 sometimes so it’s good to realize there are other things out there to clear your mind so you can play poker!
Kawauti: Playing tennis, soccer, guitar and piano.
What is something that not many people know about you?
Foster: Hmmm interesting question hahahha. I don’t know. Maybe people don’t know I’m a fan and love to watch videos of shows like The Voice and The X Factor before my important poker days.
Kawauti: I will record an album…someday…before I die. LOL.
If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?
Foster: I play my tens on the final table bubble because NOW I know the guy moves all in with fours!
Kawauti: I would have started playing poker earlier! The games were INCREDIBLY soft!
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
Foster: Roped down a waterfall.
Kawauti: Decided to play cards for a living!
What would you say are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
Foster: My strengths are my perception and my feelings. My weakness is that I’m low on patience for sure.
Kawauti: My strengths are my will to compete and get better, my discipline and my beliefs. My weaknesses are I’m stubborn sometimes and too self-confident.
What is your biggest fear?
Foster: I don’t know if fear is the correct word, but I fear that I will never win a WSOP event and that is my target: the bracelet.
Kawauti: Losing my freedom and not doing what I really want.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Foster: On TOP! I want my bracelet. I really believe in this!!
Kawauti: Traveling, playing poker, helping people and doing what I want to do in the moment.
