The North American Poker Tour (NAPT) Las Vegas festival has become a spectacular showcase of high-stakes brilliance, strategy, and star power. As the action unfolded at Resorts World Las Vegas, two elite pros — Joao Simao and Sean Rafael — emerged as standout champions, capturing prestigious titles in high roller events that tested the limits of skill and composure.
While the $5,300 NAPT Main Event continues to draw attention from the global poker community, it’s the high roller events that have truly set the tone for an electrifying week of poker. These tournaments, featuring both No-Limit Hold’em (NLH) and Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) formats, have attracted the game’s most fearless competitors.
Joao Simao Proves His Mastery in Mixed Formats
Brazilian poker phenom Joao Simao has long been known as one of the most versatile and accomplished players in the game. Known for seamlessly transitioning between formats, Simao once again demonstrated his prowess in the $10,200 NLH/PLO mixed high roller at NAPT Las Vegas.
The event attracted 60 entries and featured a final table stacked with poker’s elite, including Sam Soverel, Sean Winter, Cherish Andrews, and Seth Davies. Despite the formidable opposition, Simao delivered another world-class performance, defeating Soverel heads-up to secure the trophy and $174,600 in prize money.
This victory marks Simao’s second PokerGO Tour (PGT) title, and it adds 360 Player of the Year (POY) points, boosting his ranking to 36th place in the year-long Card Player POY race presented by CoinPoker. His lifetime live tournament earnings now exceed $11.5 million, an astonishing milestone for the Brazilian star.
Simao’s track record in mixed formats is nothing short of impressive. His 2022 World Series of Poker (WSOP) victory in the $5,000 NLH/PLO event — where he earned $686,242 — remains one of the highlights of his decorated career. That triumph followed his first WSOP bracelet win in an online $1,111 No-Limit Hold’em event in 2021.
Reflecting on his NAPT success, Simao noted how much he enjoys the creative challenge of mixed games:
“I love tournaments that reward adaptability. Every decision forces you to think differently — that’s what keeps poker exciting for me,” he said after his victory.
Simao’s consistency also extends to the PGT Dream Seat leaderboard, where he currently ranks third, keeping him in contention for a coveted entry into the season-ending $1 million PGT Championship.
Final Table Results – $10,200 NLH/PLO High Roller
| Place | Player | Payout | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joao Simao | $174,600 | 360 |
| 2 | Sam Soverel | $113,500 | 300 |
| 3 | Andrew Loomis | $80,600 | 240 |
| 4 | Sean Winter | $62,000 | 180 |
| 5 | Cherish Andrews | $47,700 | 150 |
| 6 | Jordan Glazer | $36,700 | 120 |
| 7 | Thomas Eychenne | $28,200 | 90 |
| 8 | Seth Davies | $21,800 | 60 |
| 9 | Andrew Lichtenberger | $16,900 | 30 |
Sean Rafael Extends His PLO Hot Streak
While Simao conquered the mixed format, it was Sean Rafael who owned the spotlight in the pure Pot-Limit Omaha arena. Known for his fearless aggression and deep understanding of four-card dynamics, Rafael claimed the $25,000 PLO High Roller title, defeating Jordan Glazer heads-up to take home $171,700.
The event may have drawn just 11 entries, but the competition was fierce, with Glazer, Thomas Eychenne, and Simao among the players hunting for another trophy. Rafael, however, was unstoppable, leveraging his recent momentum from the PGT PLO Series II, where he notched four cashes and three final tables.
Earlier this year, Rafael also celebrated the biggest win of his career, capturing the €25,000 PLO High Roller title at EPT Monte Carlo for $430,530. That breakout performance cemented his reputation as one of the most dangerous PLO players on the circuit.
His Las Vegas triumph adds another chapter to his breakout season, earning him 168 POY points and pushing him into 10th place in the NAPT Las Vegas PGT standings, as well as 14th in the overall PGT season rankings.
Runner-up Jordan Glazer, meanwhile, banked $92,410, marking the largest live score of his career. Glazer also cashed in the earlier NLH/PLO event won by Simao, underscoring a successful week for the American pro.
Final Table Results – $25,000 PLO High Roller
| Place | Player | Payout | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Rafael | $171,700 | 168 |
| 2 | Jordan Glazer | $92,410 | 140 |
After his win, Rafael shared his excitement about the rise of PLO on the global stage:
“Pot-Limit Omaha has come a long way. It’s thrilling to see more high rollers embracing it. The game demands creativity, discipline, and heart — and that’s what makes it special.”
PLO’s Growing Presence in the High-Stakes Poker Scene
NAPT Las Vegas has made one thing clear — Pot-Limit Omaha is no longer a niche format reserved for specialists. The inclusion of PLO events in the high-roller rotation at Resorts World reflects its growing global popularity.
From EPT to PGT, more players are diversifying their portfolios by learning PLO strategy, and poker festivals are adapting accordingly. For fans and players alike, this trend signals a bright future — one filled with unpredictable hands, creative plays, and multi-street mind games that keep the rail buzzing.
The Road Ahead at NAPT Las Vegas
As the PokerStars NAPT Main Event progresses, all eyes remain on the leaderboard battle for the PGT Dream Seat — an exclusive entry into the $1 million PGT Championship. With Simao, Rafael, and other stars in top contention, the next few days promise fireworks at Resorts World.
From thrilling showdowns to breakout performances, NAPT Las Vegas is proving once again why it’s one of North America’s premier poker festivals.
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