Shota Masuda

Shota Masuda first made his mark on the Asian poker circuit in 2018, finishing 9th in the APT Seoul Main Event for $3,527. This result signaled his arrival as a competitive force in regional tournaments, demonstrating the patience and technical skill that would define his game.

Masuda’s career-best live cash came in November 2025 at the APT Championship Taipei, where he took 1st place in the NTD 30,000 Hyper Turbo High Roller (Event #21), earning TWD 345,620 (~$11,170). During the same series, he also placed 10th in the NTD 8,000 Super Hyper Turbo (Event #33). Earlier in 2025, he finished 13th in the APT Incheon Single Day High Roller Mystery Bounty for $2,854. As of early 2026, his total live tournament earnings stand at $40,588, ranking him 558th on the Japan All Time Money List (The Hendon Mob).

Beyond live events, Masuda has been active in online poker, particularly on WSOP.com. His biggest online cash came in February 2024 when he finished 8th in the WSOP Online Super Circuit Mystery Millions for $96,153. Overall, his WSOP.com record shows 19 cashes, 1 final table, and total earnings of $117,933. He has also cashed in several online poker events, including the 2024 GGMasters Anniversary, demonstrating his versatility across platforms.

Masuda is widely described as a tight-aggressive player who relies on patience and positional awareness. He avoids marginal spots, preferring to capitalize on post-flop advantages and accumulated small edges—a style particularly effective in the deep-structured events common in Asia. His recent success in hyper turbo and bounty formats also highlights an ability to adjust his aggression in fast-paced games.

While still early in his career, Masuda has earned respect among Japanese poker enthusiasts for his discipline and work ethic. As a regular on the Asian Poker Tour, he continues to build a reputation as a reliable deep-run contender. His dual proficiency in both live and online poker positions him as a well-rounded professional with the potential for even greater achievements.