The Brazilian Series of Poker main event is being lauded for an entry field that at 2,749 is the second-largest poker event ever away from Las Vegas. It is second only to the Grosvenor United Kingdom Poker Tour Goliath event, which pulled in 3,394 players earlier this year – big even by WSOP Las Vegas standards.
The large entry field made winner Wilson Calixto’s achievement in the seven day competition all the more impressive when he defeated heads up opponent Luiz Duarte Thursday.
The duo faced a final table that comprised Lucas Iglesias, Ednei Carriho, Anderson Cruz, Nenem Brito, Sebastian Ruiz and Humberto Meireles.
When play reached the three handed stage the action was paused while Calixto, Duarte and third-placed Lucas Iglesias negotiated a chop, with Calixto claiming R$800,000, Iglesias R$710,000 and Duarte R$250,000, and R$250,000 left on the table for the winner.
Iglesias was eliminated by Calixto soon after, leaving the Brazilian pro with a 5.3 million chip advantage as he took on Duarte in the heads up, and after a slow start managed to dominate and secure the victory, the honours and the R$1,050,000 (around US$420,000) first prize.
Other final table pay-outs were:
Luiz Duarte R$710,000
Lucas Iglesias R$790,000
Ednei Carriho R$314,400
Anderson Cruz R$205,000
Nenem Brito R$150,000
Sebastian Ruiz R$125,000
Humberto Meireles R$105,000