Masashi Oya Wins $2.94M and First WSOP Bracelet in $100K Ultra High Roller

In a thrilling showdown at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise Main Event, Japanese poker sensation Masashi Oya has achieved an extraordinary feat by clinching the top prize of $2.94 million in the Event #9 $100,000 Ultra High Roller tournament. This remarkable victory also marked Oya's inaugural WSOP gold bracelet win, further solidifying his status as a rising star in the poker world.

The Ultra High Roller event spanned three intense days of competition and attracted 111 entries at the luxurious Atlantis Paradise Island. Throughout the tournament, Oya showcased his unwavering composure and skill, maintaining a dominant chip lead during the third day's play. His triumph came after an enthralling heads-up battle against Jason Koon, where Oya's strategic prowess shone through, ultimately securing his victory.

In a remarkable year for Masashi Oya, he has amassed an astounding $5.58 million in live poker tournament winnings. A significant portion of this impressive total, over $4 million, was earned in 2023 alone. As a result, Oya has risen to the top of Japan's All-Time Money List, surpassing even the iconic Tsugunari Toma.

Oya's recent victory and his impressive 12 PokerGO Tour cashes in 2023 have propelled him to the 39th position on the leaderboard, accumulating a total of 1,709 PGT points from his cashes. To solidify his position in the Top 40 and secure a seat in the PGT Championship $1 Million Freeroll scheduled for January 9-10, 2024, Oya will likely need to continue accumulating PGT points in the remaining eight events of the season.

The Event #9 also witnessed other players making significant moves up the PGT leaderboard, including Ren Lin, Nick Schulman, and Justin Bonomo. Quan Zhou and Justin Bonomo also rose into the Top 100, while Ivan Luca and Benjamin Heath made their way into the Top 200. Danny Tang secured a ranking of 300th overall on the PGT leaderboard, marking a successful event for multiple players.

In addition to Oya's triumph, Erik Seidel secured his tenth World Series of Poker bracelet by winning the $50,000 Super High Roller event at WSOP Paradise, further cementing his legendary status in the poker community.