The Japan Open Poker Tour (JOPT) Tokyo wrapped up on October 13 after five days of wall-to-wall poker action, reinforcing the series’ place as Japan’s flagship poker festival.
The festival took place at Bellesalle Takadanobaba in Tokyo, and delivered a staggering 64 events, featuring everything from No-Limit Hold’em and Omaha to mixed, draw, and even Open-Face Chinese Poker. The JOPT was supported by a record-breaking 60 sponsors and generated an estimated $3 million in total prize pools.
Main Event: Seki Stages Miraculous 13bb Comeback
Event #1: No-Limit Hold’em Main Event drew a massive 3,330 entries across 12 starting flights, five held online, four live in Tokyo, and three in Korea through PMANG SHOWDOWN HOLD’EM. The expanded qualifying structure marked another step in JOPT’s growing international reach.
In a dramatic finale, Ryota Seki emerged victorious, capturing $131,665 after one of the most unlikely comebacks in JOPT history.
Heads-up play began with Ryu Ikuta holding an overwhelming 152 big blinds to Seki’s 13, and the result appeared all but sealed. But momentum turned on the fourth hand when Seki’s 9♠8♠ beat Ikuta’s Q♥J♥ after Seki flopped a pair on the A♥A♣9♥ board. On the 7♦ turn, Seki check-called a shove from his opponent and doubled after the 5♠ river bricked.
From there, Seki doubled twice in quick succession and seized control within minutes. After 30 more hands, Seki reversed the stacks completely and finished the job with A♥A♣ against Ikuta’s 7♥7♣ in a five-bet preflop showdown.
“Poker is a cherished hobby and an irreplaceable part of my life,” Seki said after the win, celebrating with friends on the main stage.
High Roller Action: Kitajima and Hattori Shine
The NLH Platinum event, JOPT’s highest buy-in tournament, ran with support from the Asia Poker Tour (APT). APT provided event vouchers to the top 13 finishers. Hayato Kitajima, known for his deep run at EPT Barcelona 2022 (€10,200 6-Handed), topped the field for $77,777 and the event’s sleek matte-black trophy.
In the NLH Crown, another APT-backed high roller, Masahito Hattori outlasted the field to win $65,833. The final table played beneath a stained-glass-inspired stage,— fitting, given that champions at this stop received JOPT’s signature stained-glass trophies, now in expanded color variations including a heart-themed edition.
Heads-Up Championship Returns
After a one-year hiatus, the NLH Heads-Up Championship made its return to the JOPT schedule. With eyes on past champions Tomoki Iida and Shiina Okamoto, it was Takeomi Miyazawa who outlasted the field to claim the winner-take-all title, earning $8,678 and the trophy.
JOPT STARS TABLE: Ami Ohta Steals the Show
The invitational JOPT STARS TABLE brought together eight elite players from Japan and abroad, including Shiina Okamoto and Jun Obara (fresh off a TRITON Mystery Bounty win). This time, Ami Ohta took the spotlight, adding to her hot streak following two victories at APT Jeju 2025.
Looking Ahead: JOPT 2026 Tokyo
The tour returns soon for JOPT 2026 Tokyo #01, running December 27, 2025 to January 4, 2026 at Bellesalle Takadanobaba. Organizers promise an expanded New Year ceremony featuring traditional Japanese festivities like soba, osechi, and kimono celebrations.
Managing Editor