Andree Akkari's Love for Barcelona and His Pursuit of Poker's Biggest Prize

Brazilian poker star Andree Akkari has a special affinity for Barcelona, a city where he feels the environment enhances his poker performance. “Barcelona is one of those places where you play poker and it’s not just about poker. You go to the beach, you play volleyball or pickleball with friends, you eat amazing food, stay in an incredible hotel. When that kind of environment surrounds a tournament, my brain works better—I feel much better. That’s why I’ve done well here in the past.”

Akkari's poker resume is impressive, with over 50,000 tournaments played and nearly 300 victories, including a World Series of Poker bracelet. However, there is one notable achievement missing from his list: winning an EPT main event. “I’ve never won an EPT main event,” he said with conviction. “I’ve been so close so many times—final tables, deep runs, even fifth place finishes here in Barcelona. But that’s the one I want. That’s my dream.”

Despite his extensive experience, Akkari believes that the peak of poker's popularity in Brazil has not yet been reached. He attributes this to the growing interest and the increasing number of new players. “Every year people ask if this is the max, if poker has reached the peak in Brazil,” he said. “And every year I say no. There are still so many people hearing about the game for the first time. They don’t ask me what it is anymore—they ask how to start, how to manage a bankroll. The interest is still growing.”