The online poker room Lock Poker announced on Tuesday that it has inked poker phenom Jose “Girah” Macedo to its LockPRO ELITE team. Macedo has already achieved what most poker players can only dream about: he took a $30 initial deposit and grew it to over $2 million in just two years. And he is only 18-years-old.
In a press release, the Portuguese teenager said, “I am determined to be the best player in the world, so I wanted to make sure I partnered with the best poker brand. Lock’s focus on the player experience is unique and inspiring and something I truly wanted to associate myself with. I encourage anyone to come and challenge me on Lock, and look forward to the exciting times ahead.”
Macedo has said that his inspiration to become a great player was Tom “durrrr” Dwan, who similarly burst onto the scene a few years ago when he was in his late teens. The new LockPRO ELITE member started playing in 2009 at the play money tables, but couldn’t figure out how to win. In fact, he has said that he felt that poker was all luck. But when he heard about Dwan’s success, he became determined to study up, work hard, and make millions.
Macedo has said he is interested in taking on Dwan in the Durrrr Challenge, although realistically he may have to sell a part of his action. He said he would choose Hold’em for the contest, as he does not have much experience at Omaha. He has talked to “durrrr” about squaring off once Dwan’s latest challenge with Dan “jungleman12” Cates is finished and, while Dwan is open to the possibility, nothing has been confirmed.
The “Portuguese Prodigy” uses an admittedly short bankroll for the stakes he plays, typically only having 10 to 20 buy-ins at the ready. He is careful, however, not to get in over his head and follows strict, self-imposed rules for quitting before he loses too much, and moves down in stakes when necessary.
“Jose is young, brilliant, and incredibly determined. He is putting a new face, age, and goal to this game,” said Lock Poker’s CEO and owner Jennifer Larson. “He will be heavily involved in developing the product, marketing and brand in the coming months. His story is one of determination to a degree that is just unparalleled and unrivaled. Lock moves into a new chapter with pros like Jose leading the way.”
Lock Poker is on the Merge Gaming Network, home of such poker rooms as Carbon Poker, Poker Nordica, and Iron Duke. According to PokerScout.com, the Merge Gaming Network is 21st in terms of cash game traffic with a seven-day average of 940 ring game players. The network has made great strides, seeing its cash game traffic grow 333% year-over-year, one of the best growth rates in the industry.
The addition of Macedo makes it a dozen members for team LockPRO ELITE. Among his new teammates are Poker News Daily Guest Columnist Eric “Rizen” Lynch, Brett “gank” Jungblut, and 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event seventh place finisher Lee Childs. Lock Poker also has another team, simply called LockPRO, comprised of another 14 online poker players.