Poker success has opened a whole new world for 888poker ambassador Nicolau Villa-Lobos

Nicolau Villa-Lobos has made a deep run in the World Series of Poker Main Event, he posted a runner-up finish to Mike Watson in the stacked High Roller field at the 2013 WSOP Europe series, but rather than travel the globe seeking only the toughest competition at the higher stakes, Villa-Lobos spends much of his time at home playing in Brazilian Series of Poker events. Over the past four years, he has cashed in 14 BSOP events, most notably a runner-up finish in the Sao Paolo Main Event in 2012 and a final table appearance in the High Roller event at the same venue in 2014.

While his success in Brazil has primarily come in Sao Paolo, Villa-Lobos has different reasons why another spot is his favorite on the tour.

“I love the one in Natal (in northeastern Brazil). Nice hotel in front of the beach where I can surf a bit. Amazing food in that area too. Probably my favorite,” Villa-Lobos says. He has plenty of other reasons why the BSOP is worth his time too though. “Playing poker for an extended weekend is amazing. Besides that, BSOP it’s an opportunity to visit amazing cities spread Brazil and meeting great friends. So, it’s a combination of those factors that makes the experience amazing.”



As mentioned though, Villa-Lobos has found plenty of success outside of Brazil. Ever since his 77th-place finish in the 2012 WSOP Main Event, Villa-Lobos has been a representative of 888 Poker, which means he has played poker all over the world promoting the brand.

“Traveling the world is amazing. 888 gave me the opportunity to travel to every continent playing the best poker tournaments in the world. This is a dream for every poker player,” Villa-Lobos says. “Being around of great people is such a great experience too.”

What Villa-Lobos is really looking forward to is for the glamour of these major tournaments to head home when the WSOP Circuit visits Brazil for the first-ever South American Circuit series in WSOP history. Yes, it is a competition for rings and not bracelets, but the mere presence in Brazil is a big deal for Villa-Lobos and his peers.

“It’s massive! Huge! Having a WSOP circuit in Brazil is a great accomplishment for both WSOP and Brazil. The WSOP is now setting foot in the most successful place if we are talking about [the growth of] live tournaments. Brazil proved that we are in love to this amazing game, and our capacity to make huge events is great. On the other hand, Brazil is going to a next level if we are talking about international poker events. Having the WSOP here is mind blowing.”

When you consider the spectacle Villa-Lobos experienced in Rio this summer, his words have even more weight. He was one of many Brazilians who attended the recent Summer Olympics, and his reviews for it are even more enthusiastic than those for the Circuit.

“It was amazing,” he gushes.. “It was a once in a lifetime experience to have the Games in my city. I had a busy schedule and I went to almost every sport competition. I saw Phelps, judo, handball, basketball a few times, beach volley, volleyball, and football semis and final. And I’m probably missing some out of this list!”

Villa-Lobos and friends, including fellow 888 Pro Bruno Kawauti, took in all the sights and sounds of the Olympics. If you have ever seen a Brazilian rail, you realize this was a truly epic celebration.

“It was a huge party for two weeks. Everywhere was super-crowded and the arenas were amazing. Can’t imagine that happens the same way in other places.”

In some ways, it was making up for the missed opportunities that come with the sacrifices of a busy poker travel schedule. Villa-Lobos and many mother Brazilians had to make a choice between the WSOP and the World Cup in 2014. Villa-Lobos and most others opted for the poker equivalent of the World Cup instead of the real deal. He missed the major matches, but did manage to see some of the early games before heading to Vegas.

“Went to Maracanã to watch Belgium and Russia, and that was it for me. In the end, I was actually glad to be in Vegas,” he says with a laugh.

Many poker pros start playing high rollers, then never go back to the smaller stakes. Villa-Lobos is not motivated by ego though. His decisions both in what events he plays and how he spends his free time is about finding the best Brazil has to offer in tandem with international travel. He understands this is how you grow poker in Brazil. You travel to raise international awareness about all the great stops and events the country has to offer, then you come home when these events run to play in them and support them.