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Masashi Oya is a Japanese professional poker player who has rapidly ascended to the top of the international high stakes circuit, widely recognized as the number one player on Japan’s All Time Money List.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With over $10,300,000 in total live earnings, Masashi Oya is the first Japanese player to surpass the prestigious $10 million milestone in tournament winnings. According to The Hendon Mob, his career best live cash of $2,940,000 was achieved in December 2023 at WSOP Paradise, where he defeated Jason Koon heads up to win the $100,000 Ultra High Roller and his first WSOP gold bracelet.
His dominance continued throughout 2024 and 2025 with elite results across the Triton Poker Series, EPT, and WSOP. Oya’s recent 2025 triumphs and records include:
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4th Place, Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Jeju II $30,000 NLH 8 Handed (September 2025) for $447,000.
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9th Place, Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Jeju $125,000 NLH 7 Handed (March 2025) for $302,000.
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6th Place, EPT Monte Carlo €50,000 Super High Roller Second Chance (May 2025) for $185,791.
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14th Place, 56th WSOP $50,000 High Roller (July 2025) for $144,985.
Biography & Poker Background
Originally from Japan and currently residing in Tokyo, Masashi Oya transitioned from a successful career as an ICU nurse to becoming a “nosebleed stakes” poker professional. While his first recorded live tournament cash only occurred in late 2021, he achieved a meteoric rise, winning the MSPT Venetian for $161,780 just weeks later in early 2022. Masashi Oya is now a regular fixture on the PokerGO Tour (PGT) and travels globally to compete in the most exclusive high roller festivals in the Bahamas, Cyprus, and South Korea.
Play Style & Strategy
Masashi Oya is known for a fearless and aggressive tournament strategy that allows him to compete at the highest level against the world’s top professionals. During his historic WSOP bracelet win, live reporting highlighted his “nerves of steel” as he maintained a commanding chip lead throughout the final day, denying multiple superstars of the game. His tactical approach combines a deep understanding of modern high stakes dynamics with elite stack management, frequently using large chip leads to apply maximum pressure on final table bubbles and in heads up play.
