Originally from the Lake District, UK, I’ve spent the last few years living and breathing the Southeast Asian poker circuit. Since 2025, I’ve been a fixture on the floor at the APT, PokerStars, and WSOP events, serving as a lead reporter and media specialist for Somuchpoker. My work is about more than just recording action; I manage the social media and digital content that brings action rail to the fans. By combining a business education and creative background, I aim to look past the technical hand histories to capture the actual human grit and drama that happens during a deep run.

Updated: 2025.12.19

Takeo Hanayama is a Japanese poker player who has established a consistent presence on the Asian tournament circuit. While he is not currently among the top-tier high-stakes professionals, he is a respected regular in regional festivals, maintaining a solid ranking within the Japanese poker community.

Career Earnings & Ranking

As of late 2025, Takeo Hanayama is ranked 639th on the Japan All Time Money List. His career total live earnings are approximately $35,000, with his profile showing a steady increase in results over the last few years (The Hendon Mob).

His most significant results to date include:

APT Philippines (2019): Secured a 5th-place finish in the Main Event for $2,764 (₱142,400).
APT Manila Megastack (2024): Finished 9th in the Survivor Bounty event for $880.
Regional Tournament Consistency: He has recorded numerous cashes in secondary events across the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and the Japan Open Poker Tour (JOPT).

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from Japan, Hanayama is a frequent traveler to major Asian poker hubs such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. He is often cited in tournament round-ups alongside other Japanese poker veterans like Iori Yogo and Ken Takayama. His career trajectory reflects a focused approach to the “mid-major” Asian circuit, where he consistently navigates through large fields in localized championships.

Play Style & Strategy

Hanayama has shown a particular proficiency in No-Limit Hold’em Bounty and Survivor formats. These structures require a specific tactical adjustment:

Bounty Hunting Dynamics: Effectively balancing survival with aggressive play to collect bounties as the blinds increase.
Resilient Tournament Approach: His 5th-place finish in a major APT event demonstrates an ability to stay composed during deep-stack, multi-day structures.
Field Adaptability: Successfully transitioning between the elite high-roller environments often found at the APT and the massive, social-focused fields of the JOPT in Tokyo.