Voices from the SiGMA Poker Tour: The face of the Monte Carlo Club
Elegantly composed, and armed with an easy, glowing smile, Vivi Giminez is the human embodiment of the Monte Carlo Poker Club in Sao Paolo Brazil. “People often think I’m just the host,” she says, “but this is far more than a job. It’s a way of life.”
Vivi was born in Brazil, and though much of her extended family resides in Italy and the UK, she’s deeply rooted in Sao Paolo. “I have a baby girl, Serena. She’s just three—and my husband, my mom, we all live together. It’s a big, loving house,” she says, eyes glowing with pride. “And Monte Carlo is a second home.”
She graduated in communications and publicity, though the poker world was never on the original roadmap. “When I first stepped into this world, I thought I was just here to entertain,” she says with a laugh. “I got on stage, smiled, introduced the players, lit up the nights, but soon, I realised there was so much more behind the scenes.”
That behind-the-scenes work now includes managing a team across VIP guest services, social media strategy, stage coordination, and customer engagement. “My job is to make sure everyone knows what’s happening in every corner of this club, every hour of the night,” she says. “We’re a 24-hour operation. It’s a machine, and I help it run.”
Monte Carlo Poker Club is built on three distinct floors, and Vivi guides me through them like a curator unveiling a gallery. The first floor is the party – dancing, music, food, drinks. The second is laser-focused on tournaments, tailored for players seeking intensity and silence. The third? Classic cash games, with a mood to match. “We have something for everyone,” she says. “Loud music? We’ve got it. Silence and strategy? Absolutely. Want to eat, drink, dance, or just disappear into the cards? Monte Carlo is ready for you.”
Vivi’s confidence isn’t forced, it’s natural. There’s a reason she is one of the first faces SiGMA Poker Tour players see when arriving in Brazil. In fact, it’s hard to imagine this ambitious stop on the tour without her. “We’re honoured SiGMA picked us,” explains Giminez,.“It’s the first time you’ve come to Brazil, and the fact that you trusted us to be your home. it means a lot.”
Brazil’s poker scene is buzzing
She’s right to be proud. Poker in Brazil has evolved rapidly in recent years, gone are the days when it was a niche pursuit. “People don’t realise how big poker is here,” she says. “Neymar helped, when he started playing, people started paying attention. But it’s more than that. Women love poker here. Families come. And we know how to put on a real tournament.”
She says this not as a boast, but as a gentle correction to anyone who still sees Brazil as an emerging market. “We’ve already arrived,” she says, again with her friendly smile.
The story of Monte Carlo’s growth mirrors Vivi’s own. “Our director started with just one table,” she adds. “One table, working practically alone. Slowly, with help from a few others, including who’s still with us today, it grew. And now, we’re full every night. It’s a family business that became something bigger.”
That spirit of collaboration has become Vivi’s mantra. “We all work together. We dream together. That’s why Monte Carlo is what it is.” And it’s clear she doesn’t just see herself as an employee, but as a steward of something rare, a cultural hub, a playground for professionals, and a polished Brazilian welcome mat to the world of global poker.
Does she plan to follow the SiGMA tour to Malta? She smiles, almost wistfully. “I’d love to. But for now, my place is here. This club needs me. My team needs me. Maybe one day you’ll see me in Malta. but until then, we’ll be ready to welcome you back to Brazil.”
She’s not exaggerating. Monte Carlo Poker Club, under Vivi’s watchful gaze, is more than a venue, it’s a full sensory experience, driven by a woman who understands that hosting, when done right, is an art form.
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SiGMA Poker Tour heads to Malta this September for more high-stakes excitement. See you at the tables!
