Paulo Villena Gini

Paulo Villena Gini, also known by aliases such as Gini Villena, Paulo Gini, and Paulo Porto Villena, is a Brazilian poker professional who has steadily built a reputation in the live tournament arena. While detailed records of his earliest years at the tables are sparse, his career trajectory reflects a player who transitioned from smaller local events to larger international competitions. Over the years, he has accumulated more than 370 recorded live cashes, a testament to his consistency and longevity in the game.

Gini's lifetime live tournament earnings stand at $1,068,219, placing him among the more accomplished grinders from Brazil. His latest recorded cash was $2,407, earned on 13 August 2025, showing that he remains active on the circuit. The bulk of his earnings has come from a mix of events across South America and beyond, with repeated deep runs in major series. His ability to convert frequent cashes into a seven-figure career total highlights a disciplined, results-oriented approach rather than reliance on a single big score.

Gini has been a regular participant in the Brazilian poker scene, including events tied to the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) and other regional tours. He has also competed in World Series of Poker (WSOP) side events, where he has reached the money on multiple occasions. While his largest single payday is not publicly highlighted in the available data, his aggregate earnings across hundreds of tournaments demonstrate a steady accumulation of prize money. The upcoming SiGMA Poker Tour stop in São Paulo (April 9–14, 2025) at the Monte Carlo Poker Club and Hilton Morumbi, featuring a $250,000 guaranteed Main Event and the first Hendon Mob Championship in South America, represents the kind of high-profile series where players like Gini often thrive.

Observers of Gini's game describe him as a solid, fundamentally sound player who prioritizes hand selection and positional awareness. He tends to avoid unnecessary risks in the early stages, preferring to build stacks through patient accumulation. In deeper phases of tournaments, he becomes more aggressive, exploiting opponents' mistakes and applying pressure when the math favors it. His style is rooted in a strong grasp of pot odds and expected value, which has served him well across a high volume of tournaments.

As of mid-2025, Gini continues to add to his resume, with his most recent cash occurring in August 2025. His presence in the live arena remains steady, and he is likely to be a familiar face at major Brazilian stops and international events. With the growth of poker in Brazil and the increasing number of high-quality tournaments in the region, Gini is well positioned to extend his career earnings further.

Within the Brazilian poker community, Gini is respected as a hard-working professional who has achieved success through dedication rather than flash. His career serves as an example for aspiring players that consistent, disciplined play can lead to a lucrative and enduring career in tournament poker. With over a million dollars in earnings and hundreds of cashes, he has cemented his place in the upper tier of Brazilian tournament grinders.