The Super High Roller Bowl once again lived up to its reputation as poker’s ultimate proving ground, and the 10th edition delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in the series’ history. Brazilian star Joao Simao closed out an extraordinary 2025 campaign by winning Super High Roller Bowl X, earning $1.1 million after surviving a five-hour heads-up war against elite competitor Jason Koon.
Held at the PokerGO Studio, the $103,000 buy-in Super High Roller Bowl X featured a compact but fearsome field of the world’s best players. Over three days of high-stakes action, Simao navigated relentless pressure, multiple near-eliminations, and a relentless final opponent to secure one of the most prestigious titles in modern tournament poker.
Super High Roller Bowl Win Caps Historic Run for Joao Simao
The victory at the Super High Roller Bowl was the latest highlight in what has been a career-defining stretch for Simao. Since early November, the Brazilian standout captured four major tournament titles, including:
- His third WSOP bracelet
- His first Triton Poker title
- A massive $3,067,000 win at WSOP Paradise in a $150,000 buy-in event
- Titles at both the NAPT Las Vegas and BSOP High Roller series
With this Super High Roller Bowl triumph, Simao’s career earnings surged past $17 million, further extending his lead atop Brazil’s all-time money list.
Elite Field and a Brutal $200,000 Bubble
The 2025 Super High Roller Bowl X drew 23 total entries, creating a $2.3 million prize pool. Only four players would reach the payouts, making every decision magnified under extreme ICM pressure.
Five players returned for the final day, with chip counts tightly packed. Jun Obara began as the short stack but mounted a remarkable comeback, briefly taking the chip lead without scoring a clean double-up. Meanwhile, Sam Soverel slid from first to last as momentum shifted repeatedly.
Obara’s run ended in brutal fashion. After pocket kings ran directly into Soverel’s pocket aces, Obara lost the remainder of his stack to Simao shortly thereafter. His fifth-place finish on the $200,000 bubble concluded a breakout year that included a Triton title in South Korea and multiple final tables.
Nick Schulman and Sam Soverel Fall Short
Once the bubble burst, eliminations came quickly.
Nick Schulman, the seven-time bracelet winner and 2025 Poker Hall of Fame inductee, was eliminated in fourth place. His A♦Q♠ found hope when a queen appeared on the flop, but Jason Koon’s pocket jacks immediately spiked a set, ending Schulman’s run and earning him $200,000.
Soverel soon followed in third place for $350,000. Holding pocket tens, he was ahead against Koon’s A♠8♥, but a turned heart flush reversed the outcome. Despite the loss, Soverel pushed his career earnings beyond $31.7 million.
Super High Roller Bowl Heads-Up Turns Into a Five-Hour Classic
The heads-up duel between Joao Simao and Jason Koon became the defining storyline of Super High Roller Bowl X.
Koon appeared poised to close it out early when he had Simao covered and dominated on multiple occasions. In one key hand, Koon’s K♣9♦ stayed ahead of Simao’s Q♠9♥ until the river delivered a miracle queen, keeping Simao alive.
Momentum swung repeatedly. Simao applied pressure and briefly took control, even bluffing the river in a massive pot that forced Koon into a deep tank. Koon made a heroic call—correctly identifying the bluff—but the match was far from over.
Koon later had Simao on the brink again with K♣Q♥ against K♦5♦, only for Simao to flop a straight draw and turn the tables with a miraculous runout that included quad fives.
Final Double-Ups Seal the Super High Roller Bowl Title
As fatigue set in, both players continued trading blows. Koon reclaimed the lead with trip deuces, then once again had Simao at risk holding pocket tens against A♣5♥. For the third time in the match, Simao found salvation, pairing his ace on the turn to secure another critical double.
The final hand of Super High Roller Bowl X saw Simao’s pocket eights hold strong against Koon’s pocket fives, bringing an end to one of the most grueling heads-up matches in recent high-stakes history.
Super High Roller Bowl X Final Results
| Place | Player | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joao Simao | $1,100,000 |
| 2 | Jason Koon | $650,000 |
| 3 | Sam Soverel | $350,000 |
| 4 | Nick Schulman | $200,000 |
What This Means for Poker’s All-Time Greats
With this runner-up finish, Jason Koon’s career earnings climbed to nearly $70.7 million, placing him third on the all-time money list, trailing only Bryn Kenney and Stephen Chidwick. Despite falling short, Koon once again demonstrated why he remains one of the most feared competitors in high-stakes poker.
For Joao Simao, the Super High Roller Bowl victory cements his place among poker’s elite and closes the year as one of the most dominant performers in the game.
Why the Super High Roller Bowl Remains Poker’s Ultimate Test
The Super High Roller Bowl continues to stand apart from all other tournaments. Limited fields, extreme buy-ins, and the highest concentration of elite talent ensure that every edition becomes a measuring stick for greatness.
Super High Roller Bowl X delivered everything poker fans expect—skill, endurance, heart-stopping drama, and a champion who proved he belongs at the very top.
