Derick Elomina discovered poker at 14, playing home games with his high school friends. What began as a pastime quickly grew into a passion that shaped his career. By 21, he entered the poker industry as a field reporter — just old enough to step foot inside the casino. Starting as a hand reporter, he steadily honed his craft, blending sharp observation with growing writing skills. Known for his dedication, he constantly roams the floor to capture the action, conduct interviews, and deliver live updates. With a strong commitment to the game and a passion for telling poker’s stories, Derick continues to build his path in the industry.

Updated: 2026.04.06

Haruto Murata is a rising star in the Japanese professional poker community and a formidable force on the Asian-Pacific circuit. Originally from Ishikawa, Japan, Murata has become synonymous with consistency in high-stakes regional tours. In 2026, he has transitioned from a mid-stakes specialist to a Main Event contender, most notably highlighted by his deep championship run in Cambodia. Known for his tactical flexibility across both No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) variants, Murata is currently recognized as one of the most technical “new school” players emerging from the Japanese poker boom.

Career Earnings & 2026 Breakout

As of April 2026, Haruto Murata’s total live tournament earnings have surpassed $57,157 (according to Hendon Mob). His career reached a new peak in April 2026 at the inaugural GOP Phnom Penh Main Event, where he finished in 5th place for a career-best score of $25,330. This result follows a string of successful performances in late 2025 and early 2026, including a 6th-place finish in the WPT Cambodia PLO Mini Championship. Currently ranked within the top 450 on the Japan All-Time Money List, Murata is on a trajectory to double his lifetime earnings by the end of the 2026 season.

Major Tournament Results:

Date	Event	Place	Prize
Apr 2026	GOP Phnom Penh $1,540 Main Event	5th	$25,330
Jan 2026	WPT Cambodia $300 PLO Mini Championship	6th	$1,322
Jun 2024	The Wynn Summer Classic $1,100 5-Card PLO	5th	$17,182
Jan 2024	WPT Cambodia $400 Nagaworld Superstack	2nd	$12,341

Play Style & Strategy

Murata is renowned for an “aggressive, theory-driven” approach, particularly in Pot-Limit Omaha variants. His strategy leverages his deep understanding of 5-Card and 6-Card PLO, where he often finds an edge against players accustomed strictly to Hold’em. In the 2026 GOP Main Event, analysts noted his disciplined stack preservation during the “bubble” phase and his fearless blind-defense ranges. Murata is a student of modern solver technology but remains one of the few younger pros who excels at exploitative live reads, a hybrid style that has made him a fixture at final tables across Korea, Japan, and Cambodia.

Recent Attendances