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Nobuaki Sasaki, widely known in the poker community as “Sasa,” is a high-profile Japanese professional poker player and a dominant force on the Asian-Pacific circuit. Representing Tokyo, Sasaki has become one of Japan’s most consistent performers, transitioning from a Short Deck specialist to a versatile tournament threat across all No-Limit Hold’em formats. In 2026, he solidified his reputation by securing a major victory in Cambodia, continuing a multi-year streak of deep runs in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the World Poker Tour (WPT).
Career Earnings & 2026 Milestones
As of April 2026, Nobuaki Sasaki has amassed total live tournament earnings exceeding $402,020, placing him comfortably within the top 60 of the Japan All-Time Money List. His momentum skyrocketed in early 2026 at WPT Cambodia, where he took down the Early Bird Megastack (Event M1) for a fresh trophy. This follows a highly successful 2025 campaign where he cashed in the WSOP Main Event World Championship ($52,500) and finished 2nd in the ASPT Korea Single Day High Roller. His career best live score remains a historic 6th-place finish in the 2023 WSOP $10,000 Short Deck Championship for $47,406.
Major Tournament Results:
| Date | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | WPT Cambodia Early Bird Megastack | 1st | Trophy Win |
| Jan 2026 | ASPT Korea Single Day High Roller | 2nd | $5,496 |
| Jul 2025 | WSOP $10,000 Main Event Championship | 279th | $52,500 |
| Jul 2023 | WSOP $10,000 Short Deck Championship | 6th | $47,406 |
Play Style & Specialization
Sasaki is renowned for his mastery of Short Deck (Ante Only) poker, a variant where he has found significant success both live and online (including a 4th-place finish in the 2020 WSOP Online Short Deck Championship for $121,659). However, his 2025-2026 results demonstrate a successful evolution into full-ring No-Limit Hold’em. His strategy is characterized by high-volume aggression and exceptional “bubble” play, making him one of the most dangerous deep-stack players in the Asian regional circuits. Analysts often cite his “relentless pressure” in the mid-to-late stages of tournaments as his primary technical edge.
Social Media & Performance Tracking
Follow Nobuaki “Sasa” Sasaki as he targets the $500,000 earnings milestone during the upcoming 2026 summer series:
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.
