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: 2025.12.30

Sora Suzuki is an emerging Japanese professional poker player who has become an active participant in the Asian tournament circuit. Primarily competing in major festivals across the Philippines, Taiwan, and Malaysia, he is recognized for his ability to navigate fast-paced tournament structures and secure consistent cashes in prestigious series like the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) and the Asian Poker Tour (APT).

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Sora Suzuki has begun building a steady professional resume with total live earnings of $2,855. His career-best live cash of $2,435 was recorded in July 2025 during the APPT Manila Main Event, where he finished 120th in the PHP 80,000 No Limit Hold’em championship field.

Suzuki maintained a high work rate throughout the 2025 season, finding success in various mid-stakes side events. In August 2025, he secured a final table finish at the APPT Manila Championship, finishing 9th in the PHP 15,000 No Limit Hold’em – Last Chance Super Hyper Turbo for PHP 24,000 (∼$420). Earlier in 2024, he also recorded a deep run at the Poker Dream 8 Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, finishing 31st in the MYR 1,000 No Limit Hold’em – Mystery Bounty Turbo for MYR 1,200 (∼$254).

Biography & Poker Background

Based in Japan, Suzuki has utilized the booming Southeast Asian poker market to establish his professional standing. He is a frequent participant in prestigious tours such as the APPT, APT, and WPT Prime, often traveling to major venues like Okada Manila and the CTP Club in Taipei to compete against international fields. His steady participation in these series has helped him climb the Japan All Time Money List, where he currently ranks 3,038th, solidifying his status as a dedicated circuit regular.

Play Style & Strategy

Suzuki is recognized for a resilient and tactical play style, particularly excelling in “Hyper Turbo” and “Mystery Bounty” formats that reward sharp decision-making and aggressive short-stack dynamics. His ability to reach final tables in the high-pressure environment of the APPT, as evidenced by his 9th-place finish in the Last Chance event, demonstrates a strong command of tournament survival and late-stage aggression. Whether he is navigating the high-variance fields of an Asian “Turbo” event or competing in a specialized bounty structure, his adaptability and focused approach make him a formidable Japanese opponent on the modern circuit.

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