Kozo Yamada is a prominent Japanese professional poker player who has become a consistent force on the Asian tournament circuit. Based in Japan, he is currently experiencing a career-best period, significantly increasing his live earnings and national ranking throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Career Earnings & Ranking

As of late 2025, Kozo Yamada has established himself as one of Japan’s most active and successful tournament regulars:

• Total Live Earnings: USD 271,094 (The Hendon Mob).

• Japan All-Time Money List: 96th.

• Global Poker Index (GPI) Ranking: 2,234th (National Rank: 36th).

• Best Live Cash: USD 135,307, achieved in 2024.

• 2025 Player of the Year (PoY) Rank: 3,303rd globally (National Rank: 52nd).

2025 Season: The “Jeju Meta” Dominance

The 2025 season has seen Yamada maintain high volume, with over USD 52,000 in recorded winnings this year alone. He is a frequent deep-runner in the South Korean poker hubs of Jeju and Incheon.

• Gods of Poker (GOP) Eden Awakens, Jeju (Dec 2025): * Finished 6th in the Titan Stack for USD 4,624 (KRW 6,810,000).

  • Finished 42nd in the GOP Main Event for USD 3,300.

• Jeju Poker Festival (Nov 2025): Secured a 25th-place finish in the Red Dragon Prestige High Roller for USD 9,297.

• Red Dragon Poker Tour (RDPT) Jeju (May 2025): Finished 2nd in the Survivor Bounty for USD 8,020 (KRW 10,900,000).

• APT Incheon (Aug 2025): Recorded several cashes, including a deep run in the Sunday Super Stack.

Career Highlights & Biography

Yamada surpassed the USD 100,000 milestone in early 2024, largely due to a massive breakout performance in South Korea where he secured his best live cash of USD 135,307. His results history shows a specialized proficiency in Large-Field No-Limit Hold’em and Mixed Game formats.

His play style is characterized by:

• Mixed Game Capability: He is a frequent participant in Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) 5 Card – Hi-Lo (Big O) and Fixed Limit Omaha H/L8 events, recording several podium finishes in these technically demanding formats.

• Bounty Strategy: His success in Survivor Bounty and Titan Stack formats indicates a strong technical edge in adjusting ranges for bounty value and accelerated blind structures.

• Deepstack Specialist: Consistent deep runs in “Main Event” and “Prestige” structures suggest a high level of patience and the mental stamina required for multi-day tournament navigation.