Shiina Okamoto On Playing WSOP – WSOP參賽經驗談

In 2023, Shiina Okamoto emerged in the spotlight after finishing 2nd at the WSOP Ladies Event championship . Seeking redemption in 2024, Okamoto achieved it, winning the event for her first ever WSOP bracelet. Returning this year, Okamoto successfully defended her title, becoming the first player to win back-to-back titles in this prestigious event.

In this interview, CTP’s Christy Huang had the opportunity to sit down with Okamoto to discuss her incredible journey, her mindset going into these tournaments, and how she continues to evolve as a poker player.

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Shiina Okamoto: Two-Time WSOP Ladies Event Champion

Did you ever imagine winning the WSOP Ladies Championship Event two years in a row after finishing as the runner-up in 2023?

Not at all. It was a huge stage with over 1,000 participants and I never thought I would make it to the final table, let alone finish as the runner-up. When I ended the tournament as the runner-up, I felt like I had missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a WSOP champion. So I never imagined I would reach the final table again, much less win back-to-back titles.

What mindset did you bring to the tournament this year? Were you determined to win again, or did you just focus on enjoying the game?

I didn’t have the mindset of “I must win again,” but I focused on each opponent in front of me and aimed for the highest EV decisions. That gave me strong motivation toward winning and I felt like I was simply playing the game with my own kids, enjoying it but with focus.

You reached the final table three consecutive years, which year do you feel was the most challenging?

The first win in 2023 was definitely the toughest because the final table was incredibly nerve-wracking. A final table is always tense but on the WSOP stage the desire to win is especially strong for everyone. I was very nervous since it was my first final table and I couldn’t play my usual game. It was a tough year where I felt I didn’t perform my best.

What kind of training or adjustments have you made over the past few years to improve your poker skills?

I subscribe to and read GTO Wizard Blog focusing heavily on preflop studies especially in short-stack scenarios like 20bb or 30bb. Mentally, I’m not the most stable person so I focus on getting enough rest and proper routines. If I feel tilted, I talk to friends to calm myself and avoid losing focus during games.

How do you feel about playing against Taiwanese players? Do you notice any differences compared to players from Japan or the US?

Off the table, everyone is very friendly and kind. On the table, I feel Taiwanese players are mentally stable and rarely tilt allowing them to play very calm and steady

What’s your next challenge or goal?

Tournaments involve luck so I don’t enter with the sole goal of winning. While I’ve had good results in ladies’ events, I’ve yet to achieve big results in mixed fields like high roller tournaments. I want to keep improving until I can compete at that level.

Read up on her victory:
Shiina Okamoto: Back To Back Victories

2023年拿到亞軍後，你有想過接下來會連續兩年奪冠嗎？

完全沒有想過 因為那是一個超過千人參賽的大舞台 我甚至覺得自己不可能打到亞軍或進入決賽桌 當時以亞軍結束比賽時 心裡覺得錯過了這次冠軍 可能今後再也沒有機會了 我完全沒有想到過 所以對於能再次進入決賽桌甚至奪冠

今年參賽時，你是抱著什麼樣的心態？是想著必須再贏一次，還是抱著輕鬆享受比賽的態度？

我並沒有抱著「一定要連冠」的想法 而是專注於眼前的對手 讓自己的決策保持高期望值 因此，我也帶著很強的奪冠意志去比賽 就像是在和自己的孩子們一起玩牌一樣

連續進入三年FT，你覺得哪一年最有挑戰性？

2023年的第一次最困難 因為那時在決賽桌真的非常緊張 雖然決賽桌本來就讓人緊張 但在WSOP這樣的舞台上 大家想要奪冠的心情都特別強烈 我自己也是帶著緊張的心情迎接這場比賽 那是我第一次進入決賽桌 無法發揮出平常的水準. 對我來說那一年真的很困難 甚至覺得自己沒有打出應有的表現

這次WSOP女士賽奪冠後，你是怎麼慶祝這樣的榮耀時刻？

沒什麼特別慶祝, 就像平常一樣

在過去幾年裡，為了提升牌技，你做了哪些訓練或調整？

我有訂閱並研究GTO Wizard Blog 尤其專注於翻牌前的研究 特別是20bb或30bb這種短碼情況下的策略. 另外，我本身的心理狀態不是很穩定 所以我會保持良好的作息、睡眠. 並當我有情緒失衡時, 會聯絡朋友給我鼓勵 盡量避免影響比賽

來台灣參加 TMT，有沒有覺得台灣的玩家和日本或美國的玩家風格有什麼不同？

在比賽之外，大家都非常親切、溫和 不太容易情緒失控 能打出非常冷靜、穩健的比賽

接下來有什麼新的挑戰或目標嗎？

錦標賽也有運氣成分 所以我並不是以「一定要奪冠」為目的. 雖然在女性賽事中有不錯成績, 但在豪客賽上，我還沒有拿到大成果. 我想繼續努力，讓自己有實力能在更高級別的舞台上競爭.

Interviewed by Christy Huang of CTP