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: 2025.12.30

Katsuhito Kawai is a Japanese professional poker player who has established himself as a dominant force in the Southeast Asian circuit, particularly within the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT). Known for his high-volume grinding in the Philippines, he has become a regular fixture at major Manila-based festivals.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Katsuhito Kawai has total earnings of $161,730. He currently sits at 161st on the Japan All Time Money List, a testament to his consistent performance across the region’s mid-to-high stakes tournaments. His career-best live cash of PHP 1,800,000 (∼$32,243) was achieved in November 2022 when he secured a podium finish at the Manila Megastack 15 Main Event in PokerStars LIVE Manila .

The year 2025 has been particularly productive for Kawai, with multiple high-profile final tables. In June 2025, he finished 6th in the Manila Super Series 22 Main Event for PHP 612,400 (∼$10,811). Later in August 2025, he proved his elite status by finishing 8th in the APPT Manila Main Event for $31,025. He also holds multiple APT trophies, including two separate Hyper Deep Stack Turbo titles won during a single festival in 2022.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from Hyogo, Japan, Kawai has spent much of his career traveling between the Japanese domestic scene and the booming poker hubs of the Philippines and Vietnam. He rose to prominence by mastering the fast-paced “Turbo” variants, quickly becoming one of the most feared short-stack players in the region.

His background as a professional is defined by his relentless work rate, frequently cashing in multi-day championships and fast-structured side events alike. His transition into global festivals has been seamless, with results stretching from the WSOP in Las Vegas to the WPT Prime series in Taiwan.

Play Style & Strategy

Kawai is recognized for a highly aggressive and fearless tournament strategy, particularly in fast-structured formats. His back-to-back victories in “Hyper” events suggest a refined understanding of push-fold equity and late-stage tournament pressure.

In deeper-stacked Main Events, Kawai has demonstrated a resilient ability to navigate massive fields, as evidenced by his deep runs in the APPT and Manila Megastack. His strategy relies on high-pressure situational awareness, often using his chip stack to bully opponents as the bubble approaches. This tactical versatility, shifting between a patient grinder and an aggressive “turbo” specialist, makes him a formidable regular on the modern Asian circuit.

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