Main Event (100,000 JPY)

Flight C of the 2025 USOP Osaka Main Event has come to a close, with 415 entries whittled down to just 100 survivors. At the top of the counts sits Japan’s Masahiro Arao, who ended the night with more than 600,000 chips.

Arao has long been a force on the domestic circuit, boasting multiple victories across the Japan Open Poker Tour and the All Japan Poker Championship, along with a Platinum Dragon × AJPC title to his name. His strong track record of navigating deep fields was on full display today.

One standout hand came late in the night against Yama on a board of 6♠ A♠ 2♠ 4♠ Q♣. Facing a massive bet of 75,000 into a pot of around 60,000, Arao went deep into the tank before making the call with the Q♥ Q♠ for a flush. Yama instantly mucked and admitted the bluff, while Arao stacked the pot - a testament to the sharp reads and composure that carried him to the top of the Flight C leaderboard.

With momentum and chips on his side, Arao will be one to watch as the Main Event moves into Day 2. Stay tuned for a full results breakdown and chip counts.

A look at the top chip leaderboard can be found here.

A♠ the final level of Day 1C has just started, here are some of the entrants that failed to survive the day. Still, there's two more flights available to entry for those hungry enough for the Main Event!

Igornuts raised to 6,000 from middle position, with Lance in the cutoff and big blind QF calling.

The flop came down 6♣ 4♠ 3♠, and QF check-folded whilst Igornuts check-called a 7,000-bet from Lance.

Ignornuts checked again on the J♥ turn, but this time Lance fired off 20,000. Igornuts tanked for a while, assessing the board, before ultimately deciding on a fold.

Guyue Wang had raised to 20,000 from the small blind with only Kei Hong Leong joining from middle position.

On the 5♦ J♦ 9♠ flop, Wang continued for a further 9,000, an amount Leong was happy to continue for.

However, on the A♣ turn, an issue arose for Leong, Wang went all in, for around 50,000, which Leong certainly wasn't happy to continue for, and surrendered his cards.

Players are now on a 10-minute break.

French opened to 3,500 from under the gun and Ryouta called in the small blind.

Ryouta check-called a continuation-bet of 3,500 from French on the 6♦ A♦ 3♥ flop to see a 7♠ fall on the turn. Ryouta checked to French again, who fired out another barrel of 8,000. Ryouta stuck around.

When a board-pairing 6♣ rolled off on the river, it went check-check.

Ryouta revealed A♣ 5♣ for a flopped pair of aces, but it still couldn't beat French's A♠ J♥ with the stronger kicker.

Giullem Segarra raised to 3,000 from middle position and 3 callers joined to see a flop.

Once the 7♠ 4♣ K♠ hit the felt, Segarra continued for 8,500 and none of the three players could find a call and he scooped in the modest pot.

In the next hand, Segarra and Tomihiko one seat to his left tangled in a pot that saw a board of 7♥ 8♠ 4♦ J♥ T♥, with Tomihiko proudly showing A♠ Q♥ for ace-high, with Segarra turning over A♣ K♦ for a better kicker, to Tomihiko's dismay.

Taku made it 3,500 to go from the cutoff and Sayokichi defended her big blind.

Sayokichi checked on the Q♣ T♠ T♦ flop to Taku, who continued for 3,500. Sayokichi called.

When a 9♥ hit on the turn, Sayokichi check-called again, this time for a bet of 11,000 from Taku.

After seeing the river carry out a 4♥, Sayokichi shifted gear and fired 20,000. It was enough to take down the pot as Taku mucked his cards.

Coming off the back of the wrong end of an all-in on hand prior, Fisuosakaryu three-bet all-in for 28,000 after Miisan raised to 2,500, after which he called:

Fisuosakaryu: 9♦ A♦

Miisan: K♠ J♥

The 9♣ 9♥ 8♦ flop all but sealed it for Fisuosakaryu, and the 2♣ J♠ runout changed nothing, securing him the double.

With 6,900 chips in the middle, a monochrome flop read 2♠ 5♠ A♠, and Xi Hu checked over from the big blind. Miyacchi then led out for 2,000 from under the gun. Hu dropped in the call.

Another spade J♠ hit on the turn, and action went check-check.

The river brought a board-pairing 5♣. Hu then fired 2,500, which Miyacchi raised to 11,000, forcing Hu to fold.

The action was picked up on the turn with a board reading 8♦ 7♣ T♠ 6♥ and around 38,800 in the pot.

Badda checked from the hijack to Teechi, who shoved for 177,000 in the cutoff, sending Badda into the tank. After a long deliberation, Badda opted to call.

Badda: 9♣ 6♣

Teechi: K♦ 9♠

Both players made a straight, and the dealer revealed the K♠ on the river before splitting the pot evenly.

Registration for Day 1C closed just under an hour ago, meaning anyone busting out now won't have chance to re-enter into this flight. Below are some of the unfortunate few included.

Taehee Lee made it 2,000 to go from middle position and Masamasa0802 called in the hijack, as did Youuto from the small blind.

Three players checked to the river on the Q♦ T♥ 5♠ A♥ T♣ board, where action checked to Lee, who bet 1,500. It was enough to take down the pot as his two opponents tossed their cards into the muck.

With 8,100 chips in the pot, a monochrome flop came out A♦ Q♦ 3♦, and Seongjae Kim led out for 3,500 from the big blind. You folded from under the gun, and Haruto dropped in the call.

A 4♣ hit on the turn, and Kim sent another bet of 10,000. Haruto stuck around.

When the river brought a 3♣, Kim fired again, this time for 15,000, which didn't deter Haruto from making the call.

Kim tabled A♠ 4♠ for two pair, and Haruto also revealed two pair with A♥ 4♥, making it a chop pot.

Larin raised to 2,000 from middle position and got called by Kenshiro in the cutoff and big blind Shishitou.

Shishitou and Kenshiro check-called Larin's 2,000 continuation-bet following the K♠ T♦ 8♣ flop.

The K♥ landed on the turn and Shishitou check-folded, whilst Kenshiro called Larin's 8,400 bet.

The 2♦ came on the river, prompting Larin to move all in. Kenshiro wasted no time in called and they revealed their hands, to the shock of the table:

Larin looked disgusted to see his full house had been beaten by Kenshiro's, and he left the venue with no chance of re-entering into Day 1C.

The floor has announced there will be a change in the structure for the remaining 6 levels in Day 1C of the Main Event; levels will not be 35 minutes long as opposed to the original 40 to make time for the ceremony of GACKTs party later this evening.

Gengendesukedo opened to 1,700 from early position and was called by @0115_6 from the hijack. Kazuto then three-bet to 4,000 in the big blind, Gengendesukedo stuck around and @0115_6 shoved all in, which Kazuto quickly called off his last chips. Gengendesukedo stepped aside.

@0115_6: K♣ T♣

Kazuto: A♦ K♦

Kazuto picked up the lead with ace-high, but the dealer revealed bad news to him on the J♦ T♥ 7♠ flop, improving @0115_6 to a pair of tens.

A runout quickly rolled off 2♥ 8♣, giving no help to Kazuto and showing him the way out.

Player known as '@0115_16' (known as Jim) raised to 2,000 and was called by Mado defending from the big blind.

Both players checked through the A♦ 4♣ K♣ flop and 8♥ turn, but on the Q♣ river Mado fired off 6,000 into the middle. Jim calmly counted out the call and as he tossed in the chips he saw the bad news; 5♣ 8♣ for a flush for Mado, and equally calmly slid his cards to the dealer.

Ryoji raised from middle position to 2,000 and Supuringu called on the button.

A flop showed A♣ 5♣ 9♥, and the two checked to see a 4♠ fall on the turn, where Ryoji bet 2,000. Supuringu stuck around.

When a T♥ filled out the board, it went check-check. Ryoji tabled A♦ J♠ for a flopped pair of aces and took down the pot as Supuringu folded.

Davis Harari raised to 1,600 from under the gun and found one caller in Taehee Lee in the hijack and they went heads-up to the flop.

Harari check-called Lee's 1,600 bet following the 6♦ 3♠ 9♥ flop.

Harari checked a second time on the 8♥ turn, and Lee fired out 6,000 into the middle. Harari couldn't find the call and surrendered the pot to Lee.

Ishiken opened to 1,500 from early position, and Trakon three-bet to 5,000 on the button. Ishiken then four-bet shoved for 18,100, which Trakon snap-called to put his opponent at risk.

Trakon: A♠ K♥

Ishiken: 8♦ 8♠

Ishiken was in a prime position to score a double-up but still needed to fade several outs on 3♠ 2♣ 2♥ flop.

The 6♠ hit on the turn, leaving Trakon looking to spike an ace or king to collect a knockout. However, the river came clean with the 4♣, locking up a double-up for Ishiken.

Shihhesien Tang raised to 1,500 from under the gun, with Shaoshuai Li calling from the big blind.

Li check-called Tang's 1,500 continuation-bet once the dealer laid out the J♦ A♥ 9♠ flop.

Both players slowed and on the K♦ turn action went check-check.

On the K♣ river, Li fired off 7,000 into the middle, and after a brief moment Tang called and saw the bad news; K♠ Q♣ for Li, making trip kings on the river. Tang quietly slid his cards away.

Oki raised to 2,000 from middle position then faced a 5,000 three-bet from Banshu in the small blind. Oki responded in turn with a 40,000 four-bet, to which Banshu then shoved the remainder of his ~25,000 chips. Oki snap-called and the revealed their hands:

Banshu: A♠ A♥

Oki: 4♠ 4♦

Banshu rose from his seat upon seeing the bad news, and the 5♦ J♠ 2♦ Q♥ T♣ runout did little to help, and he was out mid way through Day 1C.

Ichi opened from early position to 1,500. Ishiken called in the hijack, as did Trakon from the big blind.

The trio checked through the runout of 7♦ 8♣ 4♣ K♣ A♠ and took it to a free showdown.

Trakon tabled Q♦ 2♦ and Ichi revealed 8♦ 5♦ for a pair of eights, while Ishiken flipped over K♠ 6♠ for a pair of kings to drag in the pot.

Fuu opened the cutoff to 1,100 and Hase called from the small blind.

Both players knuckled it back on the 3♦ 7♣ 4♠ flop to see a board-pairing 4♥ drop on the turn, where Hase led out for 1,500 and Fuu stuck around.

When an A♣ filled out the board, it went check-check.

Hase revealed 5♥ 5♦, but it wasn't enough against Fuu's rivered pair of aces with A♦ 6♣.

Quofeng Zhang min raised from under the gun and was called by Junwon Kim in the hijack and small blind Keishi.

Keishi check-folded Zhang's 1,500 continuation-bet, with only Kim making the call.

Once the K♥ turn hit the felt, Zhang fired off again, this time for 4,500. Kim pondered for a moment before ultimately sending his cards back to the dealer.

Satsuki opened to 1,200 from under the gun. Curtis Jian in the cutoff and Shaoshuai Li also made the call, as did Shihhesien Tang from the big blind.

Four players checked to the river on the 5♣ T♠ A♣ Q♠ K♠ board, where action checked to Satsuki, who fired a bet of 10,000, prompting a string of folds.

Inhwan Lee raised to 3,500 from the hijack when big blind Nan moved all in for his remaining ~28,000 stack. After asking for a count Lee made the call and cards went face up:

Nan: J♣ J♦

Inhwan Lee: Q♥ Q♠

The board ran out 5♠ A♠ K♠ 3♣ 4♦, providing little help to Nan who was eliminated and gave a nice boost to Lee's growing stack.

Players are now on their first of three scheduled breaks for the day.

Paoro made it 1,100 to go in the cutoff and received calls from the blinds: Fukucyan and Inhwan Lee.

Three players checked through the 6♦ 9♦ 3♣ flop to the 2♠ turn, where Fukucyan checked and Lee led out for 2,200. Paoro made the call. Fukucyan then check-raised to 7,000, sending Lee into the tank.

After a long consideration, Lee eventually mucked. Paoro also let go of his cards.

In a four-way hand at table 28, Tanaa raised to 1,000 from middle position which as called by Moccyan in the cutoff and Rimiku on the button. Big blind Negi then upped it to 6,000, and only Rimiku hung around.

Action checked through the the board's 5♣ 3♣ Q♣ 9♣ 9♦ runout, with Negi eventually firing off a single 5,000 chip once the river card landed. Rimiku, left severely short-stacked, decided not to to make the call.

In the next hand, Rimiku pushed the last of his 10,500 chips into the middle, with Tanaa looking to knock him out in the early stages of Day 1C:

Rimiku: A♣ 5♥

Tanaa: A♠ Q♥

The 8♠ 9♠ 4♦ K♦ J♥ runout didn't swing anything into Rimiku's favour, and he was indeed knocked out.

Fuu made it 1,000 to go from the cutoff and Mii called on the button. Hase then three-bet to 3,200 from the small blind, which both Fuu and Mii made the call.

The trio checked through a monochrome 5♣ 3♣ 8♣ flop to see another club 7♣ fall on the turn, where Hase sent a chunky bet of 4,200. It forced his two opponents to fold quickly.

Naru opened to 600 from under the gun and Nuts Liu called in the cutoff. Seongjae Kim then three-bet to 2,500 from the big blind. Naru and Liu came along for the ride.

On the Q♠ 6♣ J♣ flop, action checked to Liu, who led out for 3,000. Only Naru tagged along.

Naru then check-called a bet of 4,000 from Liu on the Q♥ turn to see a 9♦ fall on the river, where Naru checked. Liu then delivered his third barrel of 10,000. Naru instantly called off his remaining 2,000.

Liu quickly tabled trip queens with Q♦ T♠ to beat a flopped pair of sixes from Naru's 6♦ 4♣.

Yixuan Duan raised to 700 from under the gun and three callers joined him: T on the button and Wooyeol Park and Krur in the blinds.

Both T and Park check-folded Duan's 1,100 continuation-bet following the T♦ 5♣ 2♦ flop; only Krur stuck around.

Both players checked through the 5♠ turn to see the 7♠ river, where Krur check-called a 2,100 bet from Duan, with Duan flipping over Q♠ T♠ for top pair, good enough as Krur mucked.

Action picked up when Kurochya moved all in for 5,200 from middle position and was called by Takehiro CPH in the big blind, putting his tournament life at risk.

Takehiro CPH: A♠ Q♦

Kurochyan: 8♠ 8♥

Kurochyan picked up the lead with pocket eights, but the dealer revealed the bad news to him on the 6♥ 5♠ A♠ flop, connecting with Takehiro's ace.

The turn brought the 2♠, giving Kurochya a slim chance to chop if another spade landed to complete a flush.

However, the river dashed those hopes with the J♣, sealing his early exit from the field.

Ren made it 500 to go from middle position and Taehee Lee called on the button. Junji also tagged along from the small blind, as did Date in the big blind.

Four players checked through the 3♣ 2♦ 2♥ flop to see a T♥ fall on the turn, where action checked to Lee, who led out for 500. Junji then cranked it up to 2,000, which prompted a string of folds from his tablemates.

Shortly after being caught in a stone-cold bluff, Teechi wasted no time getting back into the action, this time with Taeyun Kim.

Kim opened to 400 from the button but faced a 1,500 three-bet from Teechi in the small blind. Kim made the call and they went heads-up to the flop.

The dealer spread T♠ 4♠ 7♣. Teechi led out for 1,000, and Kim called.

Action repeated on the T♣ turn, this time for 3,200, leaving Teechi with just a single 5,000 chip behind.

On the K♠ river, Teechi pushed that last chip in, which was about 12% of Kim’s stack. After some thought, Kim released his hand, giving Teechi the pot.

Play has begun, and cards are in the air for Flight C of the Main Event. Players are now on their journey toward Day 2.

Flight C of the USOP Osaka Main Event kicks off at 11:00 a.m. local time, with all entrants hoping to make it through for a shot at that guaranteed prize pool of 77M.

Players begin with a 50,000 starting stack, starting blinds at 100/200 with a 200 big blind ante. The schedule runs twelve 40-minute levels, with 10-minute breaks after every three levels to help contenders reset and refocus.

Late registration remains open until the start of Day 2, giving plenty of time for hopefuls to join this premier event.

Stay tuned as we bring you live coverage, chip counts, and all the action from start to finish.

Live updates starts 11:00 local time...