Junnosuke Taguchi Victorious at GACKT’s Party; Main Event Day 2 Underway

All Day 1 flights are now complete for the 2025 USOP Osaka Main Event, with the final turbo flight E taking place into the small hours of this morning. Hopefuls are bagged up and ready to compete in Day 2 today. An astonishing number of players came through the doors of the Dojima River Forum, and the room was alive with the sounds of calls, folds, all-ins and table banter. Over the course of the five flights, a staggering 1482 amount of people entered, with a total of just 315 qualifying for the Main Event today. Taking centre stage yesterday, of course, was Japanese entertainment icon GACKT, hosting his exclusive invite-only party featuring the Welcome to USOP winner Federico Faranda.

Each flight of the Main Event produced its own standout performers, with these players finishing the day as chip leaders. Their stacks not only put them at the front of their respective flights but also position them as ones to watch when the field combines for Day 2. Day 1A chip leader Michael Falcon showed an exceptional amount of wit, cunning and sheer skill to end Day 1A with 744,000 chips. The cream of the crop from 1B and representing the women is Japan’s own Sumire Hori, who ended the day with an impressive 650,000 chips, a full 100,000 ahead of second in her ranks. Leading the pack from 1C is another native, Masahiro Arao, starting Day 2 with a more than respectable 594,000 chips. Coming out on top of the penultimate flight, 1D, is Korea’s own Wongyun Lee, who ended the night with 541,000 chips. Finally, burning the midnight oil through Day 1E’s turbo event and emerging victorious was a player only known as Pien, an illusive contender who actually surpassed Falcon by ending the night with a stack of 870,000. Little is currently known about Pien, but if they continue that momentum into Day 2 there’s no doubt we’ll be seeing more of them as the event progresses.

Wongyun Lee

The absolute highlight of Day 3 of the series, however, was GACKT’s Party. Away from the main tables, the exclusive event was one of the series’ standout moments. Seven invited celebrities including actor Park Seo-ham, former KAT-TUN member Junnosuke Taguchi, and comedian Kazutoyo Koyabu, joined qualifier Federico Faranda and GACKT himself at the table. Faranda’s ticket was earned through an earlier event, making this a unique reward and one of the most talked-about highlights of USOP Osaka. During the opening ceremony of the event, GACKT himself had this to say:

Hi everyone, are you looking forward to this prestigious USOP event? USOP is growing even bigger, and aiming at hosting more events to bring enjoyment to everyone every time.

At this party, players from all over Asia, including Korea, as well as friends from around the world, have gathered to play together, and that really makes me happy. I hope everyone enjoys the game and battles it out until the very end.

If I get the chance to play at the same table with any of you in tomorrow’s event, please show me some mercy!

Entertainment Icon GACKT

The action started steady, with Koyabu first to go during the event. Black sheep Faranda certainly held his own during the evening. Despite a shaky start, dipping down to around 20,000 chips, he rose back up slowly and steadily, just like during his Welcome to USOP run. Later on in the evening he eliminated Babe Weng  helping him boost his stack up to second in the ranks. It wasn’t until things got explosive later on when USOP’s own Koichi Okawa eliminated both GACKT and Lyla in a dramatic three-way all in.

Eliminated in third place and winning the ticket to the 200,000 JPY Super High Roller at the end of the series was Welcome to USOP Champion Federico Faranda. After battling through a difficult field on Thursday, he returned today and in many ways did what he set out to do – crush the competition – but struggled during the final few hurdles to take home the gold. Speaking about his experience at GACKTs party, he said:

To be honest, all the players surprised me, because I thought maybe it would be easier because some of the players are coming from entertainment, but in the end everybody could play poker so it was a fair fight.

Of course, Faranda wasn’t alone in his efforts. At the rail for the entire event was Faranda’s wife, whom he thanked when speaking to USOP host Polyanna after the event.

Welcome to USOP Champion Federico Faranda

Ultimately, former member of hit idol group KAT-TUN Junnosuke Taguchi took the win from runner-up Eosoo Lee, when Taguchi’s big slick held against the pocket fives of Lee when an ace and a king hit the flop. Taguchi wins a ticket to the Amazing High Roller event, taking place today that boasts a 1,000,000 JPY buy-in, and Taguchi can be certain he’ll be up against the best of the best talent in and around Asia. Lee is rewarded with an Ultra High Roller ticket worth 300,000 JPY taking place tomorrow, and it’s fairly certain the Korean YouTuber will also be up against some formidable talent.

As well as the Amazing High Roller, Main Event Day 2 and the Mini Main kicking off today, there’s a plethora of other events that cater to every player, including the Ladies’ Championship and PLO Turbo happening later in the day.