Questions & Answers about Ele ganhou a aposta no póquer, mas pagou caro.
Why is caro used here instead of an adverb ending in "-mente"?
In Portuguese, some adjectives can act directly as adverbs to describe how an action was done. When used this way, they are invariable (they never change gender or number). Pagar caro is a common expression meaning "to pay dearly," and using caro as an adverb sounds much more natural than saying "caramente."
Does pagou caro always refer to losing money?
No, just like "to pay dearly" in English, pagar caro is very often used metaphorically. In this sentence, since he actually won the poker bet, paying dearly likely means he suffered severe personal or social consequences for it, rather than losing money.
Why do we use no póquer instead of just em póquer?
In Portuguese, names of games and sports generally require a definite article. Poker is o póquer. When you combine the preposition em (in/at) with the masculine article o, it contracts into no.
Could we use the verb vencer instead of ganhar for winning the bet?
While both mean "to win", ganhar is the natural choice for acquiring a prize, earning money, or winning a bet (uma aposta). Vencer is better suited for defeating an opponent, winning a match, or overcoming a major struggle.