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Kaoru Kishimoto is a Japanese professional poker player who has rapidly ascended to the upper tiers of the Asian poker circuit. Currently ranked 43rd on the Japan All Time Money List, he is widely recognized for his versatility across diverse poker formats, including No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and various Draw games.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
According to The Hendon Mob, Kaoru Kishimoto has total earnings of $520,939. His career reached a significant milestone in late 2025, during which he achieved several career-best results. His most significant score to date occurred at the Triton One Jeju series in South Korea, where he finished 7th in the $8,000 Triton One Main Event for $183,000.
Kishimoto has been a dominant force throughout the 2025 Asian Poker Tour (APT) and Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) seasons. At the APPT Manila Championship, he secured a runner-up finish in the PHP 300,000 High Roller for PHP 2,760,000 (∼$47,066) and a 6th place finish in the PHP 500,000 Super High Roller for PHP 1,054,400 (∼$17,925). His trophy collection includes a victory in the APPT Manila Six Handed Mini High Roller for PHP 683,128 (∼$11,772) and an APT Jeju title in the KRW 1,500,000 Big O (5-Card PLO Hi-Lo) event for KRW 16,397,000 (∼$11,688). These consistent high-stakes results have significantly boosted his poker net worth and established him as one of Japan’s most dangerous tournament threats.
Biography & Poker Background
Originally from Osaka, Japan, Kishimoto has built a reputation as a high-volume grinder who thrives in the competitive environments of South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines. While he first gained international attention with a deep run at the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in the $600 Mixed NLH/PLO Deepstack event, his career skyrocketed after he began focusing on major Asian festivals.
He is currently ranked among the top 1,100 players globally in the Global Poker Index (GPI), a testament to his frequent deep runs in prestigious fields. Kishimoto is a familiar face at Paradise City Incheon and Okada Manila, where he has recorded over 30 cashes in major series including the WPT Prime and Triton Poker circuits.
Play Style & Strategy
Kishimoto is known for his remarkable versatility and technical proficiency in non-standard poker variants. While many professionals specialize solely in No Limit Hold’em, Kishimoto excels in “Mixed Games,” including Big O, Seven Card Stud, and Draw Poker. This diverse skill set allows him to find edges in small-field high-roller mixed events that many specialists avoid.
His strategy in No Limit Hold’em is characterized by a “deep-stack” focus, as evidenced by his 3rd place finish in the APT Incheon High Roller Ultra Stack for KRW 78,810,000 (∼$56,743). He demonstrates strong mental stamina in massive fields, having outlasted over 1,000 players in the Triton One Main Event to reach the final table. Whether navigating a complex 5-card PLO hand or applying pressure at an elite APPT final table, Kishimoto’s adaptive and analytical approach makes him one of the most well-rounded regulars on the modern circuit.
