Simao Surges in 2018; a Family Duel in Uruguay and Poker Coaching in Brazil
Joao Simao has had a flying start into 2018 after reaching multiple final tables and more than doubling his earnings on the live circuit to shoot up all the way to $2 million in cashes, claiming the fifth place on the Brazilian all-time money list. The 29-year-old partypoker ambassador from Belo Horizonte, who now lives in Florianopolis / Brazil, is married to Luiza Pillar Simão. Luiza is also playing poker as well, representing partypoker team ladies and team online, and made the trip over to Barcelona.
When asked about his recent run-good, he had the following to say. “For sure I have luck also, but I spent the last 18 months in the hospital with my kids and I couldn't play too much, but I could study and I am sure that I improved my game a lot during this time. After such a hard situation, you are happy with everything and I am sure that my mental game is stronger than ever. I also feel very comfortable to play in the high stakes games.”
While the online tables used to be his main realm, Simao has since found the transition. “I used to play online a lot, and not any high stakes live. In Brazil the live tournaments don't have a big buy-in, and I travel so far. It is hard, I have two kids, and my wife at home, so I just travel when I can bring my family together.”
That bond seems to have given Simao wings, and his results of the current year are as follows:
| Event | Final Position | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| MILLIONS Germany €25,500 Super High Roller I | 2nd place | €251,250 |
| MILLIONS Germany €25,500 Super High Roller II | 4th place | €110,000 |
| MILLIONS Germany €2,700 Warm Up | 29th place | €6,500 |
| MILLIONS Germany €5,300 Main Event | 4th place | €280,000 |
| Latin American Poker Championship Punta del Este $5,300 High Roller | 2nd place | $50,000 |
| Latin American Poker Championship Punta del Este $1,100 Main Event | 4th place | $60,000 |
| MILLIONS Grand Final Barcelona €51,000 Super High Roller | 6th place | €160,000 |
During the $5,300 High Roller in Punta del Este, there was a special twist on the final table and his mental game was put to the test, as Luiza was there and finished in third place. “I had my wife on the Super High Roller final table and also one of my horses from my stable and very good friend. I don't want to exploit those guys, I like my wife and my friend very well. It was very tough to play, but as we said in every break, our honesty is more important than everything.”
And indeed down to the last three, Joao and Luiza clashed with the better end for Joao. “Unfortunately I had to bust my wife, it wasn't fun but it's part of the game.” There was no adjustment needed for the strategy according to the Brazilian poker pro. “My strategy was the same, but my wife knows my game very well, she knows what I am doing. It is tough to play with her, I don't like to play with friends or horses at the same table. But I am happy that we made this final table together.”
Speaking of horses, not the farm animals are referred to, but a rather ambitious project in his home country, where several poker pros are providing coaching in poker schools. The Simao's run the “Massari Poker School” and actively work on growing poker in Brazil.
“Of course it is the biggest to grow poker in our country, There are three steps: Bring new players, make the players start to play for real money and keep them playing for a longer term. When you start to coach, no matter if it's online or live, make sure to give some advice. I feel very well about it and I am sure that's important to grow poker as a game.”
In order to provide coaching lessons, Simao realizes the necessity to stay on top of his game all the time and study himself.
“To teach, you need to study, I always like to do that and no matter what, I try to do my best. I have thousands of students in Brazil and need to study hard to know exactly what I am teaching, it keeps me improving my game and I don't get lazy any time.”
On top of that, partypoker has been very active in supporting this pursuit of growth and co-sponsored several events in South America.
“I feel very comfortable to talk about partypoker. It is easy when you have to talk good things about someone who is doing it right. As a player, I am very proud and happy about what partypoker is doing. It is changing a lot in poker all over the world, live or online, it is growing a lot and creates a big competition. For me it is great to be a part of the team and they are very open to us ambassadors and listen to us, ask us what they should do to improve.”
After his final table finish in the €50k Super High Roller, Simao had other priorities than jumping right into the €100k. “I have my kids and my wife here and I just want to enjoy Barcelona, take a day off. I slept really bad this night, so that's it.”
After some time away from the tables, Simao entered the Main Event twice on Day 1a without success before bagging up 2.755 million chips for Day 2 and will be back in action tomorrow, April 13th, 2018.