João “Naza114” Vieira

João Vieira, also known as “Naza114,” is a skilled poker player from Portugal. He has won three World Series of Poker bracelets and earned a total of $8,071,138 from live tournaments. His biggest live cash was $1,384,413. João holds the top spot on Portugal’s All-Time Money List. In addition to his live successes, he has also grabbed nine WCOOP titles on PokerStars using the name “Naza114.”

João Vieira: Early Life

João Vieira remembers the day he decided to play poker full-time. In December 2011, after doing well in poker and traveling for live tournaments, he was on his way to a university economics class. During the class, he started questioning why he was there and decided to give poker a try for at least one semester. He thought if it didn’t work out, he could always go back.

Before this, João had lived a competitive life. At just 15 years old, born in Fungal on the Portuguese Island of Madeira, he became the youngest professional basketball player in Portugal. This happened at the Clube Amigos Do Basquete, where he spent seven amazing years playing basketball.

João started playing poker with his teammates during away games when they had plenty of time on the road. He began his online poker journey by playing Sit&Gos, a common starting point for many successful players. João worked his way up from the basics and became one of the best players by the end of the year. Motivated by his early success, João tried multi-table tournaments and won $5,000 and $10,000 within his first two months.

João Vieira: Live Tournament Participation

João’s debut in live poker tournaments occurred on April 30th, 2008, during the Estoril Poker Open Championship IV. He participated in the €110 No Limit Hold’em event, securing 15th place and cashing $542.

Moving forward to 2012, João took part in the €5,000 + €300 No Limit Hold’em-EPT Main Event at the European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona on August 19. He finished in 41st place, earning $20,641. In the same event on August 23rd, 2012, he also competed in the €10,000 + €300 No Limit Hold’em – High Roller, securing 8th place and earning $40,091.

On March 6th, 2013, João clinched victory in the £2,000 + £100 No Limit Hold’em – Six Handed II event at the European Poker Tour in London. He $63,353 along with the trophy. The following year, he achieved another significant cash on January 11th, 2014, in the $25,000 + $500 No Limit Hold’em High Roller at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in Paradise Island, finishing 8th for $157,940.

Later in December of the same year, he reached the final table at the €10,000 + €300 No Limit Hold’em – European Poker Tour High Roller in Prague, securing 7th place and cashing $129,398.

In 2018, João continued his success. On May 2nd, 2018, he participated in the €25,000 No Limit Hold’em European Poker Tour High Roller #29 in Monte Carlo, finishing in 5th place and earning $251,052. Later that year on November 9th he took part in the $25,000 + $500 No Limit Hold’em – MILLIONS World at the partypoker LIVE Caribbean Poker Party in Nassau, securing 9th place and earning $250,000.

On March 16, 2019, João participated in the €5,000 + €300 No Limit Hold’em – High Roller (Event #4) at the World Poker Tour in Barcelona, securing 2nd place and earning $146,270. 

João Vieira’s World Series of Poker Bracelets

João Vieira accomplished a significant milestone on July 1st, 2019, by securing his first WSOP bracelet in the $5,000 No Limit Hold’em 6-Handed (Event #70) at the 50th World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. He finished in 1st place, earning an impressive $758,011.

His success continued, and he claimed his second WSOP bracelet on July 14, 2022, in the $50,000 No Limit Hold’em-High Roller (Event #83) during the 53rd World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Once again, he finished in 1st place, winning an outstanding $1,384,413.

João secured his third WSOP bracelet in 2023 by emerging victorious in the GGPoker $25,000 Super High Rollers Championship.

João Vieira at Triton Poker Super High Roller Series

Vieira has also been making appearances at the Triton series in 2023, particularly at the Vietnam and Monte Carlo festivals. He has a total of 18 participations, but has only 3 cashes.

During the Vietnam event on March 3rd, he secured 7th place in the 20k Mystery Bounty NLH, earning $67,000. In Monte Carlo on October 29th, he claimed 7th spot again, this time in the $30k NLH 7-Handed, with a cash prize of $172,000. Another significant achievement came on November 4th in the $25k PLO Turbo, where he clinched 3rd place, earning $171,000.