Rafael Francisco Marcondes Dos Reis

Rafael Francisco Marcondes Dos Reis was born on May 1, 1983, in Lorena, São Paulo, Brazil. He grew up in Curitiba, where he later attended law school and worked as a salesperson at a Levi's store. During this time, he capitalized on a business opportunity by importing popular Nike Shox sneakers from the United States to sell to Brazilian customers, including professional football players. In 2014, he moved to Orlando, Florida, with his family, initially intending to purchase a business, but when the deal fell through, he turned to poker as a full-time profession. He had already been playing recreationally at the Liga Curitibana, a poker club in Curitiba, alongside future stars like Yuri Martins and Vitor Dzivielevski.

Reis transitioned from cash games to tournaments after relocating to the US. His first major live title came in 2016 at the Rock 'N' Roll Poker Open Event #1 ($360 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em), where he outlasted a field of 5,018 entrants to win $155,642. This victory propelled him into the professional spotlight. He continued to build his resume with consistent cashes in WSOP events and other series, steadily climbing Brazil's all-time money list.

Reis's breakout performance on the global stage came at the 2021 World Series of Poker in the Event #30: $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold'em, where he finished third for $288,101. Two years later, he captured his first WSOP bracelet in Event #15: $1,500 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em at the 2023 WSOP. The tournament drew 2,454 entries, and Reis entered the final table as the chip leader, ultimately defeating Daniel Barriocanal heads-up to win $465,501. This victory moved him into the top 10 on Brazil's all-time money list, with career live earnings surpassing $2.3 million. As of 2024, he ranks among the top 10 Brazilian players in the Global Poker Index.

Reis is known for a solid, aggressive style that leverages position and post-flop aggression. He emphasizes controlled aggression, deep-stack flexibility, and hand reading, often making well-timed folds and value raises. He attributes his success to a strong work ethic, studying GTO strategies, and maintaining disciplined bankroll management. Even as an amateur, he treated poker as a "profitable hobby" and dedicated significant time to study.

Reis continues to compete in major live tournaments and remains a fixture in the Brazilian poker community. He is often invited as a commentator and podcast guest, sharing his experiences and insights. His WSOP bracelet win marked the 22nd for Brazil and solidified his reputation as one of the country's premier poker ambassadors.