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Kenji Hata is a professional poker player from Japan. As of late 2025, he has established himself as a high-performing international regular, particularly dominating the circuit in Australia and East Asia. He is currently ranked among the top 150 players on the Japan All-Time Money List.
Career Earnings & Global Ranking
As of December 2025, Kenji Hata’s professional profile reflects his most successful competitive year to date:
Total Live Earnings: 206,936 USD (The Hendon Mob)
Best Live Cash: 31,771 USD
Japan All-Time Money List: 120th
Global Poker Index (GPI) Ranking: 6,678th
$100,000 Milestone: Surpassed in 2024–2025.
2025 Season: The "Australian Breakthrough"
The 2025 season has been a landmark year for Hata, with over 56,000 USD in earnings recorded this year alone. He has found significant success in the World Poker Tour (WPT) and World Series of Poker International Circuit (WSOPC) events.
WPT Prime Gold Coast (March 2025): Recorded his career-best score by finishing 2nd in the 3,000 AUD High Roller Action Clock for 31,771 USD (50,625 AUD). He also secured a 5th-place finish in the Monster Stack for 6,565 USD.
WSOP International Circuit, Gold Coast (November 2025): Continued his Australian momentum by finishing 39th in the Mystery Bounty Ring Event for 869 USD.
Sydney Champs (May 2025): Showcased high volume with multiple final table appearances:
4th place in the Big Bounty for 1,758 USD.
8th place in the Double Down Bounty for 1,363 USD.
Jeju Poker Festival (November 2025): Demonstrated deep-field endurance in South Korea, finishing 54th in the Mystery Bounty for 3,285 USD.
Playing Style & Background
Residing in Japan, Hata is recognized for his aggressive approach to Bounty and Turbo structures, where he has recorded a high percentage of his career final tables.
His play style is characterized by:
Bounty Specialist: His 2025 results show a consistent edge in Mystery Bounty and Big Bounty formats, suggesting an advanced understanding of the mathematical adjustments required for knockout-incentivized play.
High Roller Capability: His runner-up finish in the WPT Prime High Roller against an elite field of Australian and international professionals indicates a high-level technical foundation in "Action Clock" environments.
Geographic Versatility: While most active in Australia and South Korea, Hata is a staple of the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and Japan Open Poker Tour (JOPT), making him one of Japan's most traveled mid-to-high-stakes professionals.
About the Editor
The SMP Editor covers international poker and iGaming for SoMuchPoker, providing news, tournament coverage, and industry insights. With a focus on accuracy, clarity, and relevance, the editor helps readers stay informed about developments across the global poker community.