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: 2026.01.08

Rio Shinohara is a professional poker player from Japan who has become a consistent competitor in both the Japanese and South Korean tournament scenes. Part of the growing wave of Japanese talent traveling for regional series, Shinohara is recognized for steady performances in major festivals like the Japan Open Poker Tour (JOPT) and the Super Cup.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Rio Shinohara has total live earnings of $11,676. While currently competing primarily in the mid-stakes circuit, Shinohara has demonstrated a high “In The Money” (ITM) frequency in large-field events.

Notable career highlights include:

Japan Open Poker Tour (JOPT) Season 21: 1st Place in the No Limit Hold’em – Event #24 for a breakthrough regional victory.
Super Cup Jeju (Jan 2026): Recorded multiple cashes during the festival at the Lotte Hotel Jeju, contributing to a strong start for the 2026 season.
WPT Korea (2023): Finished 15th in the No Limit Hold’em – Turbo event, showcasing adaptability in fast-paced structures.
JOPT Tokyo (2022): 13th Place in the No Limit Hold’em – Main Event Satellite, narrowly missing a major championship seat but proving the ability to navigate deep-field qualifiers.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from Japan, Shinohara is a regular fixture at the CTP Asia Poker Arena and major Tokyo-based venues. Like many modern Japanese pros, Shinohara’s career is defined by a heavy volume of play in “passport” or “ticket-based” events within Japan, which serve as qualifiers for international tours like the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and World Poker Tour (WPT).

Shinohara belongs to a community of players who have turned the Japanese “poker guild” system into a professional training ground. This background has fostered a play style that is highly resilient to the variance typical of the Asian circuit. Shinohara frequently travels to Jeju and Incheon, South Korea, to compete for cash prizes and prestigious titles.

Play Style & Strategy

Shinohara is known for a disciplined and methodical tournament strategy. Often described as a “survival-oriented” player, Shinohara excels in the middle stages of tournaments where stack management and pot control are vital. This approach has led to a high volume of cashes in “Turbo” and “Deepstack” formats, where navigating the bubble phase requires a precise balance of aggression and caution.

Observers of the Japanese circuit note Shinohara’s sharp focus on positional awareness and an ability to exploit the wide ranges of more volatile opponents. While still early in a professional journey compared to Japanese legends like Masato Yokosawa, Shinohara’s consistent growth and recent success in the Super Cup Jeju suggest a player on the verge of a major international breakthrough.

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