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Peter D. Cross (popularly known as “Hapa”) is a Japanese professional poker player and high-stakes cash game regular who has taken the international poker scene by storm. Holding Japanese nationality while residing in Glendale, California, Cross has quickly ascended to the elite tier of Asian poker talent. Renowned for his sharp computational approach, he currently sits at #10 on the Japan All-Time Money List. In May 2026, Cross generated massive global headlines by capturing the absolute Day 1 chip lead in the prestigious $5,000 8-Handed NLH event at the 57th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) .
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
Total live tournament earnings stand at over $2,038,077, according to The Hendon Mob. Cross officially crossed the $2 million milestone following a highly lucrative multi-year stretch of high-roller dominance in Las Vegas and California.
Cross’s top recorded live tournament performances include:
- December 2022: 1st place in the WPT World Championship $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em Side Event for $429,406 (Career-best live score).
- March 2025: 1st place in the Wynn Millions Poker Series $25,000 High Roller for $376,250.
- May 26, 2026: Day 1 Chip Leader (525,000 chips / 210 BBs) in the WSOP Event #2: $5,000 8-Handed NLH in Las Vegas.
- June 2025: 7th place in the WSOP Online Event #14: $888 Crazy 8’s for $18,912.
- February 2026: 16th place in the Wynn Millions $3,500 Championship for $18,553.
Combined with an extra $107,795 in tracked net winnings across 28 episodes on televised high-stakes cash game streams like Bally Live Poker, his estimated poker net worth is over $2.5 million.
Biography & Poker Background
While maintaining his competitive base in Southern California, Peter Cross proudly represents Japan on the global circuit. He first generated serious waves across the international landscape in December 2022 by outplaying a stacked high-roller field at the Wynn to take home over $429,000. Operating with a clinical, analytical strategy, Cross became a recognizable regular on prominent Los Angeles and Las Vegas livestream broadcasts under his nickname “Hapa,” consistently holding his own against world-class cash game professionals.
Cross launched his 2026 summer campaign in Las Vegas by delivering a spectacular masterclass on Day 1 of WSOP Event #2: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em. Over 10 grueling levels of play, Cross completely dominated his table dynamics, bagging up a monumental 525,000 in chips-equivalent to a colossal 210 big blinds. He advanced to Day 2 as the absolute tournament chip leader, pacing ahead of international champions like Bulgaria’s Yuliyan Kolev. Currently ranked 334th in the world on the Global Poker Index (GPI), Cross is firmly positioned as one of the most dangerous rising forces in Japanese poker history.
Play Style & Strategy
Cross employs a hyper-modern, GTO solver-balanced strategy layered with a sophisticated understanding of short-handed cash game dynamics. Nicknamed “HapaGTO” by online observers, he constructs highly balanced betting ranges from late positions and applies immense deep-stack pressure on turns and rivers. His composure under time-bank pressure makes him exceptionally dangerous when transitioning between high-stakes cash tables and elite, fast-paced tournament structures.
Social Media & Online Presence
Follow the Japanese high-roller sensation as he guns for his first career WSOP gold bracelet in 2026:
Chaar-Lee is the Editor-in-Chief and Technical Architect of SoMuchPoker. With over 20 years across poker media, television production, and enterprise software development — including WorldSkills and EuroSkills recognition as a mentor and expert — he brings rare depth to every editorial and technical decision on this platform. He works exclusively on international poker and iGaming markets.
