WPT Japan 2018: Shingo Endo Wins Main Event For $13,000 in WPT Passport Credits

Shingo Endo
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  • PG News September 18, 2018
  • 6 Mins Read

The 2018 World Poker Tour (WPT) Japan was organized this year in conjunction with the Japan Poker Union Corporation at Bane Bagus, Shibuya, Tokyo and featured a total of six tournaments, headlined by the JYP 30,000 (USD $270) buy-in Main Event.

Outlasting a field of 322 entries, Tokyo-based Shingo Endo (cover image) captured the Main Event title. Endo won $13,000 worth of WPT Passport credits which he can use for any WPT Global event till December 2019.

This is the second time that WPT has been hosted in Japan. In 2017, Eiji Kimura topped 460 competitors in the inaugural event. Since cash prizes are considered ‘forbidden’ in the country, WPT Japan winners receive exclusive packages applicable for future WPT events.

The three starting flights for the Main Event were hosted on September 1, September 8 and September 9. Apart from the glittering top prize, there were attractive takeaways for players making it to the final table as well. While the runner-up was to take home a WPT Passport credit worth $7,000, the third and fourth place finishers won credits valued at $3,000 each while the credits won by fifth and sixth place finishers were $2,000 each. The seventh to ninth place finishers won $1,000 in WPT Passport credits.

For Endo, winning the title wasn’t an easy ride, since he entered the final table of nine with the shortest stack. However he maneuvered his way through the final table to claim victory.

“When I reached the final table I was the shortest stack and I was trying to struggle to get somebody and try to double up and I had a dominated hand but I lost and I was actually almost dead, but after that I was somehow lucky and tripled up then doubled up and doubled up again and I found myself as the chip leader and I made it through here,” Endo recalled, talking about his journey to the title.

Talking about his plans to use the Passport, Endo said, “I have never played overseas so I would like to go to Vegas and try my best. I hope the journey continues.”

Former WPT Champion Masato Yokosawa and two-time WPT champion Sam Panzica were some of the notables in attendance at the tour.

Meanwhile, WPT is now gearing up to host the WPT Korea at Paradise City from September 21-24 where a huge Indian contingent is expected to be in attendance.

Watch Endo in action and his post-win interview here.

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2. World Poker Tour Announces Much-Awaited Return to India in November

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