888poker continues to build its talented team of sponsored pros with the announcement that Brazil’s Vivian Saliba is its latest brand ambassador.

The 24-year-old from Sao Paolo burst onto the poker scene this summer at the World Series of Poker when she had a deep run in the $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha Championship for a career-best score (11th – $47,923). She was also the youngest female to play in the Main Event this summer, finishing 421st for $27,743.

Saliba considers herself a PLO player first and foremost, having enjoyed a handful of scores in the game at Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) events over the years.

“I prefer PLO because there is way more action compared to Hold’em what makes it more enjoyable to play,” Saliba revealed. “A lot of players are new to the game and make many mistakes which is obviously good for me as a professional poker player.”

She’ll now join the likes of four-time bracelet winner and recent One Drop High Roller champ Dominik Nitsche; the PocketFives leading all-time money winner Chris Moorman; high stakes tournament pro and Twitch legend Parker ‘Tonkaaaa’ Talbot; Swedish pro Sofia Lövgren; and her fellow Brazilian Bruno ‘Foster’ Politano on the 888poker team.

“I couldn’t be happier about joining,” said Saliba. “As a professional poker player, I always looked forward to a partnership. 888poker is one of the biggest poker companies, and I am very fortunate to be a part of it. I am ready to give 100% and see us both growing together.

“There are many aspects I like about 888poker,” said continued. “First of all, the 888live events because of the affordable buy-ins with good structures and amazing locations. I also like the online platform because of the variety of different tournaments and cash games with a large number of players online at any time.”*

Poker beginnings in Brazil

Saliba was introduced to poker by her father, who she began playing with in local Brazilian card clubs at the tender age of 17.

“My first contact with poker was on a family trip with my mother, dad, brother and sister when I was around 12 years old,” Saliba explained. “We used beans as chips and made the bets. It was so much fun. I won a lot of beans back then.

“When I turned legal age, my dad, who plays frequently, took me to a poker club in Brazil. The social aspects of the game and the learning/improvement process made me fall in love with it.”

Turning pro five years later at the age of 22, Saliba began to find success on the Brazilian tours, and has since amassed career earnings of just under $200,000 at the time of writing.

Some of her other notable scores to date include:

• $23,789 for finishing third in the 2017 PokerStars Championship Barcelona Event #38: €1,100 PLO
• $10,375 for taking third in the 2017 WSOP International Circuit Sao Paulo Event #6: R$2,500 PLO
• $2,656 for placing 11th in the 205 BSOP Millions Sao Paulo Main Event