Dai Ishibashi’s Journey To Full-Time Poker 

Meet Dai Ishibashi, the third last Japanese player remaining in the Main Event. Dai joined the World Series of Poker after qualifying through a $1,000 satellite tournament on GGPoker as part of the Road to Vegas promotion. “I jumped into the direct satellite because the odds were just better. Fewer players to beat, and no steps. It was the right decision.”

The satellite victory was particularly sweet for Dai, who had been grinding smaller buy-in tournaments for months leading up to the qualification period. “I had been playing tournaments consistently, building my bankroll and improving my game. When the Road to Vegas satellites opened up, I knew this was my chance to take another shot at something bigger.”

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From COVID Hobby to Full-Time Career

Dai started playing poker at the beginning of COVID. Originally, he would play when travelling for work to a location with a casino, spending a couple of hours at night, then he made the switch to online. The transition wasn’t immediate – like many players during the pandemic, he found himself with more time at home and began exploring online poker more seriously. “At first, it was just something to do during lockdown. But I quickly realized the game online was faster, more convenient, and I could play multiple Texas Hold’em tables.”

He joined the GGPoker community around 3 years ago, being attracted by the bigger prizes and greater tournament selection. The platform’s innovative features and strong tournament schedule appealed to his competitive nature. “I made over $30,000 in the first few years playing, but since switching to GGPoker, I’ve done much better, including taking down a few $50K tournaments.”

The Book That Changed Everything

After completing his education with a degree in business, he made the decision to start playing poker full-time after reading a book on EV and how it affects how you play poker by Kihara Naoya, the first Japanese player to win a WSOP bracelet. “That book just spoke to me. I understood what he was talking about, and it made sense. I do not know if I would have made the switch to full time poker player had I not read it.”

The business background has served him well at the tables. “Understanding numbers, risk management, and long-term thinking – these are all skills that translate directly to poker. When I analyze a hand or a tournament structure, I’m applying the same logical framework I learned in business school.”

Tournament Life and Vegas Adventures

Dai spends as much time as he can playing tournaments, which is his favored form of poker. “It’s fun. When I made the switch, I played some cash games, but I never enjoyed that as much as playing in tournaments. The thrill and excitement of playing in massive fields…well, it’s just fun for me. And if you’re not having fun, why bother doing it?” The permanent smile on his face reinforced the truth of his statement. After all, given the opportunity, why would anyone want to do anything they didn’t enjoy?

His tournament strategy has evolved significantly since those early days. “I used to play very tight, very scared money. Now I understand when to apply pressure, when to take calculated risks. The variance is higher in tournaments, but the rewards are so much greater when you hit.”

This is the second time that Dai has come to Las Vegas for the Main Event, with 2024 being the first. “Last year, I came in and played the whole series. I did OK. Well enough that I can come back this year, but this time I only really played the Main Event and some side events. I’m still doing well.”

WSOP+ App and Future Dreams

The experience of playing live poker in Las Vegas was initially daunting after years of online play. “The pace is so much slower, and you have to read physical tells instead of betting patterns and timing. But there’s something special about the atmosphere here. The energy is incredible, especially during the Main Event.”

Playing poker is now his full-time job, and he thoroughly enjoys it. “Being able to play poker and getting to travel around the world is amazing. I have gone many places I would never have thought of going to and met some incredible people. That’s one of the reasons I love the WSOP+ app so much. Last time here, the lineups were too long. In some events, you could not rebuy because there was not enough time to get through the line. With the app, you skip that entirely, get to spend more time with poker players and playing poker. Plus, I love being able to check the prize pool distribution. It’s a key element when it comes to EV.”

When asked about his future plans, Dai’s eyes light up with enthusiasm. “I want to keep improving, keep learning. There are so many strong players out there, and the game keeps evolving. I’m always studying, always trying to find new edges. And I want to play in the WSOP every year.”

$70,000 Finish and Words of Wisdom

For aspiring poker players, especially those looking to make their mark in the annals of poker history, Dai offers some practical wisdom: “Just have fun. Poker can be brutal. Bad runs or unlucky variance can ruin your day. Bankroll management is key. Enjoy poker as a hobby and when you’re ready, you can become a full time player, but remember, it’s still a job. If you don’t put in the time, you’ll never really be able to get ahead.”

Dai’s run came to an unfortunate end on Day 7. He finished his run in 100th spot and earned $70,000 for the work—certainly enough to pay for the trip and ensure we will see him again next year. Until then, Dai, good luck. We hope to see you at a few more final tables and hopefully in the winners’ circle with a bracelet next year.

Article written by: Shawn Altbaum
Photographs by Tim Ash and are owned and are the exclusive property of GGPoker.