São Paulo, Brazil, is pretty lovely these days. The sun is shining, the days are warm … and there’s poker in the air. 888Live São Paulo officially got underway yesterday and by the looks of it players are having a blast already.
Locals, Big-Names Alike
For this South American edition of 888Live players have gathered in the Casa Bossa Cidade Jardim. Casa Bossa is a large mall in the heart of the 12m-person metropolis and the tournament area is a multi-functional hall that’s also been used for events like the introduction of the Porsche Panamera.
While there was never a doubt the locals would come out in force in this poker-mad city, 888Live wisely moved the High Roller event to the beginning of the schedule to secure the early arrival of all sorts of big names in the poker business. 888 Pros and ambassadors from across Europe have made the trip to Brazil including Kara Scott, Chris Moorman and Sofia Lövgren, who have all been overwhelmed by the magnificence of one of the largest cities in the world.
OMG I’m in São Paulo, Brazil. That’s so wild. #888liveSP
— Kara Scott (@KaraOTR) September 7, 2017
Arrived in São Paulo for @888poker Festival here this week 6th-12th. How cool isn’t this city?! pic.twitter.com/nu6neg3svC
— Sofia Lövgren (@Sofia_Lovgren) September 6, 2017
888poker also, as per usual, invited some special guests which this time around include Leo Margets and Tiffany Michelle, both previous Last Women Standing in the WSOP Main Event.
Empezamos el HR del #888liveSP y este es mi table draw 🐼🐼🐼💅🏻 pic.twitter.com/WvNoZhIB92
— Leo Margets (@LeoMargets) September 6, 2017
When you get seated with @Sofia_Lovgren, @TiffnyMichelle and @LeoMargets at the #888LiveSP High Roller, you bet it’s #SelfieTime! 🇧🇷💸📸💁💁💁 pic.twitter.com/d5n825VjjH
— 888poker (@888poker) September 6, 2017
November Niner Bruno Foster Politano and winner of PokerListings 2017 Most Inspiring Player Felipe Ramos are also of course there and will do their part with tons of local hospitality.
Amanhã começa o 888 Live in SP !! Mais precisamente no Shopping Cidade Jardim ❤️
— Bruno Foster (@brunofoster) September 5, 2017
Amanhã ja… https://t.co/dZUQI4sv8P
Things to Do and Denilson, Too
The main event has R1,000,000 guaranteed but there is also an Invitational where former football stars Denilson and Cafu will play. The winner will get a 2017 WSOPE main event prize package and travel to the King’s Casino in November. David Tuchman and WSOP runner-up Jesse Sylvia will be in the commentary booth and the live stream will start when the main event gets going. If you’re in Brazil for the first time, though, take advantage of it. 888poker has even collected a Top 5 list of things to do when you’re not playing including:
- Visit Ibirapuera Park. It’s a big place with enough room for museums and monuments. The buildings were planned by star architect Oscar Niemeyer, the guy who also planned the complete city of Brazilia.
- There’s a Football Museum and if you know about the status of football in Brazil, you know it’s a must.
- Samba. Head to bar-ridden Vila Madalena and you’ll see it really is a street dance.
- Head to Paulista Avenue to shop
- To satisfy your cultural needs, visit the longest running musical in the world, Les Misérables, at Teatro Renault.
London Awaits
Want to be a poker hero and experience the thrill of another major cosmopolitan city at the next 888poker festival? 888Live London takes place in October at the Aspers Casino in London and you can qualify online. Simply open an account via our 888poker review page and you’ll also be eligible for our exclusive $888 bonus