Portuguese poker star Joao Vieira became the fourth highest-valued player in the 25k WSOP fantasy draft. He shared his feelings about it and talked about competitors such as Shaun Deeb and Benny Glaser.
In 2019, Joao Vieira won only the fourth WSOP gold bracelet in Portuguese history. Fast forward to 2026, and he has now won four on his own.
Vieira is one of six players to win his fourth gold bracelet at the 2025 WSOP, and he's back this year ready to win even more.
We interviewed the Winamax ambassador to learn how he's integrating into this year's summer events and what awaits him at this year's WSOP.
Returning to WSOP Summer Camp
Vieira gave an interview to PokerNews as his summer tournament season kicks off, and he looks forward to participating in the full WSOP schedule from now until mid-July.
“It feels great every time I come back,” he said. “I know everyone says that every year, but it really feels like summer camp! I love this city, I love the WSOP. I’m so happy to be back and reunite with my friends.”
"This really feels like a summer camp."
Before the WSOP began, Vieira was one of nearly 200 players selected in the 25k Dream Draft. The Portuguese player was one of four players, along with Shaun Deeb, Daniel Negreanu, and Michael Moncek, whose value exceeded $100,000.
The teams clearly recognized the talent who won less than 12 months ago. 100,000 High Roller Champion (Prize)The performance of the 2,649,158 contestants.
In addition, his performance at the final table of the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship made Vieira the fourth most valuable player in this year's 25k Dream Draft.
Additional momentum in 2026
Since winning his first gold bracelet in the $5,000 6-man event in 2019, Vieira has had an extraordinary journey, and he says that the price Ren Lin's Team Lady Gaga paid for him was a sign of respect from his peers.
"It's a bit overwhelming. Being drafted high is always fantastic. I've done quite well in the Dream Points over the past few years."
"So that gives me a bit of extra motivation to perform well and prove I deserve the fourth-highest draft pick. Maybe next year I can try aiming for a higher pick!"
When asked which other players he would be watching in 2026, Vieira didn’t hesitate to point out some heavyweights on the WSOP stage.
"I think Shaun [Deeb] is definitely the one you would always pick. I think he has a very good chance of eventually surpassing Hellmuth's record."
"I think it's him, Yuri Dzivielevski, and Benny Glaser because these are my favorite players, and I think these three are the most likely to win more gold bracelets."
Step by step
Each athlete has their own way of preparing for the summer, whether it's ensuring they get enough rest, stay hydrated in the desert environment, or keep a support network of friends and family close at hand.
However, Vieira had a different idea, drawing inspiration from the current WSOP Player of the Year, Shaun Deeb.
"I heard Shaun [Deeb] say that I wake up, play the next tournament, and then I try to focus only on that one. It's a bit of a cliché, but I don't want anything to distract me from the tournament I'm playing in."
Although he said he really wanted to win a gold bracelet, "any" gold bracelet, he indicated that there was an additional goal he wanted to achieve.
"I really want to win a gold bracelet in a mixed game. I haven't done it yet, and I've come very close several times."
Another project, at least within his immediate vicinity, is achieving a rare WSOP High Roller triple-double. He already won it in 2022. The 50,000 High Roller event, and won in 2025.What are the odds for Vieira to win the $250,000 Super High Roller this year?
"What I mean is, I'd accept any gold bracelet. Obviously, the higher the buy-in, the bigger the prize pool, and the better, but I'm not thinking that far ahead."
"I'm just focused on the competition I'm currently playing in, that's all the effort I'm putting in, but we'll see."
Regardless, Vieira said he was happy.
"I do my thing, and I love it. Hopefully, I can manage to stay sane by the end of the series—which is usually the case. But playing well and obviously winning a gold bracelet would be fantastic."
"Ultimately, when it comes to world championships, at least in my case, the focus is on whether or not you can win a gold bracelet."
Vieira, already holding four of a kind, is eager for more. And a plethora of poker tournaments await him this summer.
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