Masashi Oya Wins $2.94M in WSOP Paradise Ultra High Roller

In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Masashi Oya, a talented Japanese poker player, has claimed the title and a whopping $2.94 million in the Event #9 $100,000 Ultra High Roller at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise Main Event. This remarkable victory not only enriched Oya but also earned him his very first WSOP gold bracelet, a coveted symbol of excellence in the poker world.

The tournament, spanning three intense days of play, saw a total of 111 participants converge at the Atlantis Paradise Island, contributing to an impressive prize pool of $11 million. Oya's strategic prowess and nerves of steel were on full display as he maintained a commanding chip lead throughout the event.

Oya's journey to victory was no walk in the park. He went head-to-head with some of the biggest names in professional poker, including Ben Heath, Leon Sturm, Danny Tang, Nick Schulman, David Peters, Ren Li, Sorel Mizzi, Taylor von Kriegenbergh, and Justin Bonomo. Oya's chip advantage allowed him to confidently enter a decisive heads-up battle against Jason Koon, ultimately outplaying him and securing the championship title.

Masashi Oya's success in 2023 has been nothing short of extraordinary. He has accumulated a staggering $5.58 million in live poker tournament winnings, with over $4 million earned this year alone. This remarkable performance has propelled him to the top of Japan's All-Time Money List, surpassing even the iconic Tsugunari Toma.

Oya's latest triumph, combined with his 12 cashes on the PokerGO Tour in 2023, has catapulted him to the 39th position in the leaderboard. With 1,709 PGT (PokerGO Tour) points to his name, he is well on his way to securing a spot in the Top 40. This achievement would also grant him a seat in the prestigious PGT Championship $1 Million Freeroll, scheduled for January 9-10, 2024.

Several other players also made significant strides in Event #9. Ren Lin moved up to the sixth position in the PGT leaderboard, while Nick Schulman climbed to 12th place, and Justin Bonomo secured the 53rd spot. Quan Zhou and Justin Bonomo joined the Top 100, with Ivan Luca and Benjamin Heath making it into the Top 200. Danny Tang currently holds the 300th position on the PGT leaderboard.

In another thrilling development, Erik Seidel clinched his tenth World Series of Poker bracelet in the $50,000 Super High Roller event at WSOP Paradise.