Brazilian pro turns another deep run into a seven figure win
Pedro Padilha claimed one of the biggest live tournament victories of his career in Jeju, winning a $50,000 No Limit Hold’em 8 handed event on Friday, September 11. The Brazilian outlasted a 129 entry field at LES A Casino in South Korea and defeated Nick Petrangelo heads up to secure $1,400,860.
The win made Padilha the fourth Brazilian player to capture a title in this elite high roller series. For a player who had already come close on major stages, this result turned a near miss story into a breakthrough moment.
Nine months earlier, Padilha had finished runner up in a $100,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event at a major December stop. That result showed he could compete with the strongest high stakes fields, but the trophy had stayed out of reach. In Jeju, he finished the job.
At 39, Padilha has become a more visible name on the international live circuit after first building his reputation in Brazil’s online poker scene. He has said that he always played live events in Brazil and South America, but in recent years he has tried to expand into more global tournaments. The Jeju victory confirmed that the move is working.
For BC Poker readers, Padilha’s run is a strong example of how online experience, live discipline and patience can come together in high pressure tournament spots.
Petrangelo and Boika shape the final table battle
The tournament created a $6.4 million prize pool, with 20 players reaching the money. Tony Ren Lin finished on the bubble in 21st place after running ace queen into Nick Petrangelo’s pocket aces.
Aliaksei Boika carried the chip lead into the unofficial final table, with Petrangelo and Padilha close enough to apply pressure. From that point, the tournament moved quickly as several strong players fell before the final six.
Yoko Sasaki exited in ninth place for $155,000. Eelis Parssinen followed in eighth for $200,000, and Phil Ivey finished seventh for $271,000.
Wai Kiat Lee came into the final table looking for another major result after winning a $40,000 Mystery Bounty event earlier in the festival. He doubled twice to stay alive, but his final shove with king eight ran into Boika’s pocket sixes. Lee finished sixth for $361,000.
Yang Wang then left in fifth place for $461,000, setting up a tense four handed phase where Boika became one of the central figures.
Boika cracked Petrangelo’s aces with queen jack to leave the American short stacked. Soon after, Boika eliminated Aren Bezhanyan in fourth place for $574,000. But his own run ended when he clashed with Padilha.
Boika got ace nine in against Padilha’s ace king and could not find help. He finished third for $697,000, closing a strong week that had already included another title.
Padilha controls heads up and closes the match
Padilha entered heads up play with a 35 to 17 big blind lead over Petrangelo. Before playing for the trophy, the two agreed to an ICM deal. Padilha locked up $1,350,860, while Petrangelo secured $1,201,140. Another $50,000 and the title were left on the table.
The final hand came with Petrangelo holding king four and Padilha showing queen eight. A four on the flop gave Petrangelo the early advantage, but Padilha paired his eight on the turn. That was enough to win the pot, end the match and give the Brazilian his first title in this series.
After the victory, Padilha called it one of the best feelings in poker. He said he was happy with the event, the tournament and the support he received from fans watching back home. He also sent a message of appreciation to Brazilian supporters who followed the final table.
Petrangelo accepted the result with respect, praising Padilha as a difficult opponent. He noted that he had been running well but could not finish the last step.
Final table payouts
- Pedro Padilha, Brazil, $1,400,860
- Nick Petrangelo, United States, $1,201,140
- Aliaksei Boika, Belarus, $697,000
- Aren Bezhanyan, Armenia, $574,000
- Yang Wang, China, $461,000
- Wai Kiat Lee, Malaysia, $361,000
- Phil Ivey, United States, $271,000
- Eelis Parssinen, Finland, $200,000
- Yoko Sasaki, Japan, $155,000
Main Event now takes focus in Jeju
The Jeju festival continues through September 17, with the $100,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event beginning on September 14. Petrangelo will have another chance to chase a major title before the series ends.
Padilha, meanwhile, leaves this event with more than prize money. He now has a seven figure win, a first title at this level and another major result that strengthens his place among Brazil’s most successful tournament players.
At BC Poker, we see this win as a reminder that elite poker careers are often built through repeated deep runs before the breakthrough finally arrives. Padilha had already been close. In Jeju, he turned that experience into the result he wanted.
