Kai Cocklin is a poker journalist and live reporting manager who has worked with PokerNews at major festivals including the World Series of Poker and the European Poker Tour. He has managed multiple live reporting teams at the World Series of Poker and trained individual reporters to develop their skills. He now oversees Somuchpoker’s editorial and live coverage, ensuring consistent quality and engaging content across the Asian poker scene.

Updated: 2026.02.07

Shintaro Sato is a Japanese poker player known for his relentless aggression and high-volume play, widely recognized as a top-tier competitor in the Asian and international circuits.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With almost $300,000 in total live earnings, according to The Hendon Mob, Shintaro Sato is a consistent deep-run threat in major festivals. His most significant result to date is a runner-up finish at the 2026 APT Jeju Classic Main Event, where he earned $224,950.

APT Jeju Classic Shintaro Sato – photo courtesy of APT

Biography & Poker Background

Hailing from Japan, Sato has successfully transitioned from the domestic Japanese poker scene to the global stage. He is a frequent traveler on the Asian Poker Tour and has recorded significant scores in Las Vegas and Tokyo. His ability to navigate massive fields was on full display in Jeju, where he dominated the final table for much of the final day, at one point holding nearly half the chips in play.

Play Style & Strategy

Sato is the quintessential “aggressive bully” at the poker table. Known for his “unpredictable all-ins” and relentless pressure, he excels at building massive chip stacks by forcing opponents into uncomfortable marginal decisions. While this high-variance strategy can lead to occasional setbacks, such as the “massive bluff gone wrong” that ended his Jeju run, it makes him one of the most feared stack-builders in the modern game.

Recent Attendances