First Two Flights of USOP Main Event Completed; All Eyes on GACKTs Party Tomorrow

Day two of seven is now firmly under the belt for USOP Osaka, with over a third of the events already in the history books for the tour’s Japanese debut. A new era for USOP, this week-long festival in what’s known as the culinary capital of Japan has attracted thousands of poker pros and amateurs alike, all eager to sample what the series has to offer.

Of course, what most players will be sinking their teeth into is the USOP Main Event. Taking place over four days and offering five flights to give players maximum opportunity to get involved, it boasts an extremely generous guaranteed prize pool, a coveted USOP trophy, and the opportunities that come with the win.

Day 1A and 1B have now wrapped up, leaving three more flights before Day 2 kicks off on Sunday. So far, the Main Event has seen a staggering turnout: 300 entries in Day 1A and 239 in Day 1B, for a total of 539 across the opening day. Topping Day 1A was Denmark’s Michael Falcon, a USOP circuit regular with over $500,000 in live earnings. Falcon last appeared at the 2024 USOP Hai Phong Championship, where he reached the final table and cashed for around $14,000. This time, he steadily climbed the leaderboard with a mix of patience, skill, and perfectly timed aggression, eventually bagging more than 700,000 chips to sit at the top of the counts.

Michael Falcon

One memorable hand came in the penultimate level, when Falcon asked a tablemate what chips were behind his stack before moving all-in, then revealed a bluff after his opponent folded. “Sorry, I thought it was a stack of 25,000s, I wouldn’t have shoved if I knew it was 500s,” he joked, flipping over five-eight offsuit for air. Chasing him in second is Tooya, who held the chip lead until late in the day before losing a key pot. Despite that, he still heads into Day 2 in a strong position.

Another player worth keeping an eye on is Korea’s Jinwoo Jeon, who bagged 227,000 chips. A two-time first-place finisher in both the Deepstack and Megastack events earlier this year, Jeon is no stranger to grinding his way to a final table, and he’ll be looking to replicate that success later in the week.

See the full Day 1A coverage and results here

Day 1B kicked off slightly later in the day but delivered no shortage of action. Just 47 of the 239 entries survived to bag up for Day 2. Leading the pack is Japan’s own Sumire Hori, who ended the day with an impressive 650,000 chips. She approximately doubled her stack in the second half of play, climbing from around 300,000 in Level 8 to her final tally. Steady progress—including a hand against Korea’s Daon Kang, where a pair of fives was enough to scoop the pot—helped her cement her place among the leaders.

Sumire Hori

Though this series is Hori’s first at USOP, she’s no stranger to navigating tough fields, with multiple final table appearances already on her record. She’ll be entering Day 2 confident in the strength of her position.

Also making waves today was Australia’s Sam Higgs. Ranked 64th on Australia’s all-time money list and with a career-best cash of $155,442, Higgs is back on the Asian poker scene after a brief hiatus and clearly looking to make an impact.

See the full Day 1B coverage and results here

But while the Main Event dominates the felt, Day 3 brings something truly unique to USOP Osaka. Within the walls of the Dojima River Forum, Japanese entertainment legend GACKT will be hosting his own event—not just another tournament, but a celebrity-packed spectacle blending poker with culture, charisma, and a star-studded guest list. Joining GACKT and his friends will be Welcome to USOP winner Federico Faranda, who earned the exclusive golden ticket in the opening event and will now test his skills alongside some of Japan’s most famous personalities.

Unlike the usual tournaments at USOP Osaka, GACKT’s Party isn’t about prize pools or trophies. A seat at the table is an exclusive badge of honour, reserved for celebrities, invited guests, and Faranda himself. The real reward is the experience: playing poker in a red-carpet setting with GACKT hosting, where bragging rights and the spotlight matter as much as any trophy.

For fans of poker and Japanese culture, it’s a rare chance to see the game cross into the celebrity spotlight. GACKT’s Party signals a new era for USOP, one focused on players, fans, and unforgettable experiences. With Faranda ready to take on a lineup of celebrities and GACKT himself overseeing the festivities, this event promises drama, big personalities, and moments that will be remembered long after the final hand is dealt.