One of the most consistent starts to the year in the 2025 BSOP season has come from businessman Caue Durazzo. Although poker is just a hobby, in just two stages the player has already collected six final tables, five podiums, three heads-ups and a title. His impressive performance has seen him take the lead in the Mixed Games Player of the Year ranking, with 1,435.20 points, a lead of 346 points over second place.
Curiously, the player had no intention of traveling the circuit in search of the title. "It wasn't in the plans," he said of the competition. "I was sure I'd take part in all the São Paulo stages, but I didn't know if I'd take part in the foreign ones. My goal was to win a trophy this year [laughs]".
So far he has won six trophies and his quest for the title began thanks to a satellite on PokerStars, which guaranteed him a package for the BSOP Costa do Sauípe. "I ended up going to Sauípe because I got a satellite. When my wife, who loves the beach, heard that the event was going to be held there, she encouraged me to play the satellites. It worked. I got a package and a seat. If it hadn't been for the satellite, I don't think I would have gone," he recalled.
However, Caue also spoke about a change of mindset in tournaments to start the year stacked with victories. "But I had a change of heart from last year to this year. I really enjoy playing and I was upset about not having any results. Since last year's Millions, I decided to study more on my own and, above all, to control my anxiety at the table when I was short stacked."
The player revealed that he took lessons from one of the leading names in Mixed Games in Brazil and Brazilian poker champion in 2014. "At the beginning of 2023 I did a coach with Rodrigo Garrido and I also took this material to study again."
In the first stage there were three final tables, two podiums and a title. Despite the great performance, the lead didn't come, but he was very close to the then leader Murilo Vieira. If there was any doubt as to whether the performance in Bahia had only been momentary, on the very first day of the BSOP São Paulo, the São Paulo player showed signs that the consistency would continue, finishing runner-up in the HORSE tournament.
"At that moment, I saw that I could have a good run again, and I started thinking about the ranking." It was another runner-up finish and a third place at home. "Of course I wanted [the title], there were two beams, but on both occasions my opponents played better than me and deserved the titles. I' m happy with the two runners-up".
When asked about his quest to maintain the great performance of the season, with final tables and podiums in a row, the leader of the Mixed Game Player of the Year ranking was frank. "As for the results, I really didn't think so. Mixed game players are very balanced. The chance of maintaining these results is low. So I didn't imagine it and I don't think I'll be able to maintain it throughout the year."
The businessman already has a strategy for maintaining his lead in the standings. "It's about trying to stay within the points, but I'm not going to change the way I play with an ITM or trophy in mind. I'll play what I think is right and if I have to put myself in elimination situations, I'll play what I think is right."
Caue Durazzo closed by talking about what the title of BSOP Mixed Games Player of the Year would represent. "I don't know if I can answer the feeling. I'm so happy right now, with two stages, in the lead, that I think it would be a dream. But in answer, it will be an achievement to show that dedication and believing in yourself brings results and is worth it. It will be more important for life than for sport.
