Shiina Okamoto’s consecutive WSOP Ladies championship titles are an extraordinary accomplishment for any player. It's an even more impressive achievement when you take into consideration she burst onto the poker scene, seemingly out of nowhere, with a second-place finish at the same event just two years prior.
Expectations were high
Despite the final table being stacked with several accomplished players, including second-place finisher Heather Alcorn, it was evident that the railbirds were cheering the loudest for a repeat and historic win by the incoming chipleader Okamoto.
When the bright lights had dimmed and the pressure had faded, Okamoto was both humbled and somewhat speechless by the intense spotlight on her accomplishment.
“I believe there haven't been many players in WSOP history who have received this much attention for their performance,” shared Okamoto. “It was special for me. Thank you. That's something very positive for me as I continue playing poker. I appreciate it very much.”
PokerOrg invited Shiina to visit our WSOP Legends Lounge to share some details on her poker beginnings, mental preparation for the final table, and her plans for the future.
When did you first become interested in poker?
I studied architecture at university, and after graduation, I worked at an investment bank for 10 years. Then, five years ago, I started playing poker as a hobby.
Were you playing more tournaments, or cash games?
I play both, but I prefer tournaments. I love the excitement I feel as I advance through a tournament.
Did you grow up playing games?
Yes. I played a very famous board game in Japan: Catan. I was very competitive from a young age.
'The recognition has had a positive impact on me'
What does winning these two consecutive WSOP events mean to you? And what are your plans for the future?
For now, I don't have a career goal or vision for poker. I haven't given much thought to my future career yet. I'm not sure what options are available to me at this time.
I do feel that many people are paying close attention to my results at the moment. I believe that there haven't been many players in WSOP history who have received this much attention for their performance. That's something positive for me as I continue playing poker. I appreciate it.
I do know that I want to keep playing poker for a long time. I want to get even stronger as a player. I'm very happy that this kind of recognition at the WSOP has had such a positive impact on me.
You quit your job to pursue a career in poker. What did your parents think about this decision?
When they found out that I quit my previous job, they were very upset, but now they are very happy.
Do you have a favorite player you enjoy watching?
No, not really. However, I do enjoy watching Kristen Foxen. She's wonderful.
She is one of the few women who can compete with the men in the high roller tournaments. I like her a lot.
'I don't think I'm particularly strong mentally'
How do you prepare mentally for a major tournament?
In general, I believe that women tend to be more emotionally driven and have less mental resilience compared to men when it comes to poker.
I recognize that I also have that tendency. I don't think I'm particularly strong mentally, even among women. That's why I have made a conscious effort to stay focused and maintain emotional control during play.
How did you stay so composed and focused at the final table?
During these events, I made it a point to stay in close contact with my friends on breaks and discuss whether I had made a good play or a bad one. I would talk to them about a hand I played well. They supported me and boosted my confidence.
When I made mistakes, they helped me to stay calm and grounded. That kind of emotional support was important for me and helped keep me centered throughout the tournament.
When tense emotions arose at the final table, I reminded myself not to become overly emotional about each individual hand, whether it was a win or a loss. I also tried not to let the pressure of the final table get to me.
Even when I went all in, I made the decision not to stand up from my seat. That's because if I stood up, it would feel like the hand was already over, and if it turned out not to be, I might lose my focus.
What do you love the most about the game?
I like how poker strikes a perfect balance between skill and luck. This isn’t just limited to poker, but I enjoy the cycle where studying and putting in effort lead to tangible results. Poker is so deep that no matter how much you study, there’s always more to learn, so I never get bored of it.
You are very poised at the poker table, and it seems so in daily life as well. What advice do you have for players to stay focused and present during gameplay?
What many players don't realize yet is that it's just as essential to manage their mental state. Most people think their mindset is fine when it's actually falling apart, or they might feel emotionally unstable but believe it's not affecting their play, when in reality, it is.
This disconnect occurs more frequently than people realize. People sometimes fail to make good personal and in-game decisions simply because they are not mentally grounded. They are unaware of their mental imbalance, which can lead to misjudgments.
That’s why I make every effort to reset and stabilize my mental state. That can mean making sure I sleep well every night and exercise regularly.
Is there anything else that you focus on to be your best when you sit to play?
I think it’s important to always feel satisfied with myself, even if it’s not directly related to poker. It’s a small thing, but for me, dressing well every day and being happy with how I look helps me stay mentally balanced.
These are all really small things I’ve shared here. But I encourage people to think very carefully about what helps them feel their best, what puts them in a calm, focused, and emotionally steady place to play their best poker.
Do you attribute your recent success to anything in particular?
When it comes to the Ladies event, I believe I have a strong ability to read women's emotions. I understand not only how to sense those feelings but also how to influence decision-making at the table. That's probably why I tend to perform better in women's events.
Watch Shiina Okamoto compete in a televised Sit & Go
Fans can watch Shiina in action on July 14 on ABEMA, a popular Japanese streaming service similar to Netflix.
She was invited to participate in a Sit & Go tournament with other well-known Japanese players. The total prize pool for the event was 18 million Yen, with the top prize being 10 million Yen.
