Akihide Shimizu 🇯🇵

Based in Tokyo, Japan, Akihide Shimizu has built a reputation as one of the most versatile “all-arounders” in the Asia-Pacific region. While many professionals focus on No Limit Hold’em, Shimizu has specialized in niche limit and pot-limit games, including Drawmaha, Seven Card Stud Mix, and 9-Game. In late 2025 and early 2026, Shimizu experienced a breakout period in Jeju, South Korea. After winning the Red Dragon Closer in November 2025, he returned for the APT Jeju Classic 2026 and delivered a legendary series run, winning titles in PL Drawmaha 2-7, 9-Game Mix, and Dealer’s Choice. This remarkable consistency has made him a leading contender for regional “Player of the Year” honors.

Shimizu is recognized for his technical mastery of multi-game formats, where he leverages a deep understanding of varying game dynamics to exploit specialists in single disciplines. His strategy is characterized by extreme tactical flexibility, allowing him to shift between the aggressive betting patterns of Pot Limit Omaha and the disciplined math required for Fixed Limit Stud and Razz. During his triple-title run in 2026, Shimizu demonstrated elite endgame composure, particularly in the 9-Game Mix Masters, where he outlasted a field of 44 entries and defeated fellow Japanese pro Daiki Aoki heads-up. His ability to maintain high-level performance across ten different poker variants in a single week makes him one of the most technically proficient and dangerous players currently active on the Asian circuit.

With total live tournament earnings exceeding $146,000, Shimizu is currently ranked 178th on the Japan All Time Money List. His career reached a definitive peak in early 2026, where he demonstrated elite proficiency across a wide variety of non-Hold’em poker variants. Top Career Results: $44,148 (₩63,010,000) for a 3rd-place finish in the WPT Prime Korea Main Event in November 2025. $12,027 (₩17,394,000) for winning the 9-Game Mix Masters at the Asian Poker Tour (APT) Jeju Classic 2026. $19,885 (₩23,750,000) for a runner-up finish in the WPT Korea Turbo High Roller. $9,426 (₩13,428,000) for winning the Dealer’s Choice Masters at the APT Jeju Classic 2026. $7,200 (₩10,260,000) for a 3rd-place finish in the PLO High Roller at the APT Jeju Classic 2026. Shimizu is a consistent high-performer in Global Poker Index (GPI) points for mixed-game events, particularly after securing three “Lion Trophies” in a single week in 2026. For a full breakdown of his statistics, you can view the Akihide Shimizu Hendon Mob Profile.