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Hayato Kitajima is a Japanese professional poker player and a prominent figure on the Asian poker circuit. A specialist in both No Limit Hold'em and Mixed Games, he has accumulated over $1 million in career earnings and holds multiple major titles.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With over $1,124,000 in total live earnings, Hayato Kitajima currently ranks 20th on the Japan All Time Money List (according to The Hendon Mob). His career is defined by consistent deep runs across the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Australia.
His Best Live Cash of $84,755 highlights a résumé filled with five-figure scores. Kitajima had a particularly strong finish to the 2025 season. In November 2025, he traveled to the WSOP International Circuit at The Star Gold Coast in Australia, where he made two major final tables: finishing 6th in the A$2,500 Main Event for A$54,405 (~$35,527) and 3rd in the Monster Stack for A$26,985 (~$17,434).
He is also a multiple-time Asian Poker Tour (APT) champion. In May 2024, he captured his fourth career APT title at APT Phu Quoc, winning the PL Omaha High – 5 Card event. During the same series, he finished 3rd in the Zodiac Classic for VND 694,470,000 (~$27,340).
Biography & Poker Background
Residing in Tokyo, Japan, Hayato Kitajima is a veteran of the Asian circuit. He is one of the few Japanese pros who excels equally in No Limit Hold'em and non-Hold'em variants.
His schedule typically includes major stops such as the Asian Poker Tour (APT), World Poker Tour (WPT), and the Japan Open Poker Tour (JOPT). In 2025, he was highly active in South Korea, logging results in Jeju at the Korea Poker Cup and APT series, where he notably finished as the runner-up in a Turbo PLO Ultimate Hi-Lo event.
Play Style & Strategy
Kitajima is widely respected as a Mixed Game Specialist. While many tournament pros focus exclusively on Hold'em, Kitajima's trophy cabinet includes titles in Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) and 5-Card PLO.
His ability to switch disciplines makes him a threat in "Player of the Series" races. Additionally, his success in Turbo and Hyper Turbo High Rollers – such as his 2nd place finish in the APT Taipei Hyper Turbo High Roller – demonstrates his adaptability to fast structures and short-stack ICM pressure.
About the Editor
Attila Kendefi is Somuchpoker's Player Relations and Profiles Writer, covering live festivals in the USOP and Gods of Poker family of events across Asia. His background in client relations shapes his approach to live event coverage, with a focus on the players, partners and organizers behind each festival, not just the results.