Sean Rafael Wins SHRB PLO IV; Joao Simao Takes US$775,000 Runner-Up Prize
PokerNews and CardPlayer reported on Oct. 8, 2026 that Sean Rafael beat Joao Simao heads-up in SHRB PLO IV for US$1.15 million, leaving Simao with a US$775,000 runner-up result; PokerNews noted Simao's past-month tournament cashes totaled more than US$10 million.
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Carrying the Chip Lead to the Title
Sean Rafael converted the final table chip lead into the SHRB PLO IV title. PokerNews and CardPlayer reported on Oct. 8, 2026 that he defeated Joao Simao in heads-up play for the US$1.15 million first-place prize, while Simao received US$775,000 as runner-up. CardPlayer recorded it as Rafael's first seven-figure live tournament result.
This pot-limit Omaha event was part of the high-stakes series. CardPlayer listed the buy-in as US$100,000, while PokerNews used a US$103,000 figure; both outlets agreed on the US$1.15 million first prize and a US$3.2 million total prize pool.
32 Registrations, Six Players in the Money
According to CardPlayer's schedule reporting, Day 1 had 27 registrations and another 5 were added before Day 2 began. Because reentries were allowed before the registration deadline, the final 32 registrations cannot be read as 32 distinct players.
Late on Day 2, Youness Barakat was eliminated in seventh place, and the money bubble burst. The remaining six players split the prize pool. CardPlayer logged chip counts at that stage: Rafael held about 4.9 million chips, Simao about 1.415 million chips, and Lautaro Guerra about 1.125 million chips. PokerNews also noted that Rafael entered the final table with a clear chip advantage.
The final payouts were Rafael US$1.15 million, Simao US$775,000, Richard Gryko US$480,000, Talal Shakerchi US$350,000, Lautaro Guerra US$255,000, and Cesar Garcia US$190,000, for a combined US$3.2 million.
Long Tanks and a River in Heads-Up
The chip lead did not remove all suspense from heads-up play. Both reports mentioned that Simao took about seven minutes on one key hand before folding; at that moment Rafael had a straight. CardPlayer added that Simao used 14 time-extension cards for that decision.
The winner was settled in another hand. The reports state that Simao committed his whole stack on the turn holding three of a kind, while Rafael continued with a flush draw. The river completed Rafael's flush, and Simao finished in second place. In pot-limit Omaha each player receives four hole cards, but the final hand must use exactly two hole cards and three community cards; all four hole cards cannot be used.
One Runner-Up Finish, Extending Recent Results
The US$775,000 continued Simao's recent pattern of large tournament results. PokerNews reported that his cumulative tournament cashes over the past month had already exceeded US$10 million, including results from Triton Jeju. That cumulative total spans other events and is separate from the SHRB PLO IV US$3.2 million prize pool; it should not be treated as one payout from this event.
For Rafael, CardPlayer said the win lifted his career live tournament cashes above US$7.89 million. The outlet also relayed his post-event wish for more Omaha tournaments, especially events held in the United States.
At the time the two Oct. 8, 2026 reports were published, the event had already crowned its champion. Rafael collected his first seven-figure live tournament prize, while Simao added a runner-up result to his recent high-stakes run.
Local reading context
SHRB PLO IV is the fourth Super High Roller Bowl pot-limit Omaha event. In this format each player receives four hole cards, and the final hand must use exactly two hole cards plus three community cards. The US$3.2 million event prize pool and Simao's separate cumulative tournament cashes are separate measures; the 32 registrations reported for the event are not a unique-player count.
Source report dates: 2026-10-08
Original sources and verification
- PokerNews
PokerNews on Oct. 8, 2026 reported Sean Rafael won SHRB PLO IV for US$1.15 million and Joao Simao runner-up for US$775,000; six payouts and a US$3.2 million prize pool; US$103,000 buy-in figure; Rafael chip advantage at the final table; Simao seven-minute fold to Rafael straight; final hand turn three of a kind to river flush; and PokerNews said Simao's past-month cumulative tournament cashes exceeded US$10 million, including Triton Jeju.
Verified:
- CardPlayer
CardPlayer on Oct. 8, 2026 reported Rafael's US$1.15 million win as his first seven-figure live tournament result; US$100,000 buy-in; Day 1 27 registrations plus 5 before Day 2 with reentries allowed before registration deadline, final 32 registrations not 32 distinct players; six shared US$3.2 million; Youness Barakat seventh; end-stage chips Rafael about 4.9 million, Simao about 1.415 million, Lautaro Guerra about 1.125 million; Simao used 14 time-extension cards; river flush won; Rafael career live tournament cashes above US$7.89 million; and he wants more Omaha tournaments, especially in the United States.
Verified: