The Japan Open Poker Tour (JOPT) is set to ring in the new year with its flagship event, JOPT 2026 Tokyo #01.
Scheduled to run from December 27, 2025, to January 4, 2026, the festival returns to the sprawling Belle Salle Takadanobaba in Shinjuku. As the country’s premier poker series, JOPT combines a massive live atmosphere with a convenient hybrid qualification system via the Poker Chase app.
Whether you are looking to qualify online this December or planning your trip to the venue for the New Year holidays, here is everything you need to know about the schedule, venue logistics, and satellite structures.
Festival Overview
The series is split into a “Pre-Event” period at the end of December and the “Main Event” period at the start of January.
- Event Name: 2026 Tokyo #01 – Japan Open Poker Tour
- Dates: Saturday, Dec 27, 2025 – Sunday, Jan 4, 2026
- Venue: Belle Salle Takadanobaba
- Address: Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Garden Tower 1F, 3-8-2 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.
- Venue Specs: A massive 2,400㎡ pillar-free hall with 6m high ceilings.
- Access:
- JR Yamanote Line “Takadanobaba Station”: 4-minute walk.
- Fukutoshin Line “Nishi-Waseda Station”: 6-minute walk.
- Note: There is no public parking available at the venue. Please use public transport.
Main Event: Two Paths to the Trophy
To win the title, players must navigate Day 1 to reach Day 2 on January 3, 2026. You can choose to grind on the virtual felt or experience the live action in Tokyo.
1. The Online Route (Via Poker Chase)
Players can secure their Day 2 seat from home through the Poker Chase app. Qualifiers will bypass the live Day 1 and join the field directly at the venue on Jan 3.
- Entry Cost: 3x “JOPT 2026 Tokyo #01 PC Main Tickets”
- Schedule (All flights start at 20:00 JST):
- Dec 06 (Sat) – Day 1V
- Dec 07 (Sun) – Day 1W
- Dec 13 (Sat) – Day 1X
- Dec 14 (Sun) – Day 1Y
- Dec 20 (Sat) – Day 1Z
Pro Tip: If you hold unused “JOPT 2025 Tokyo #03 PC Main Tickets” from the previous event, they are automatically valid for these flights. No transfer process is required.
2. The Live Route (Venue)
For those who prefer the tactile feel of physical chips, four flights will run during the peak holiday dates.
- Day 1A: Jan 01 (Thu) 11:00
- Day 1B: Jan 01 (Thu) 18:00
- Day 1C: Jan 02 (Fri) 11:00
- Day 1D (Turbo): Jan 02 (Fri) 18:00
How to Win Online Tickets
To play the Online Day 1, you need to win specific tickets within the Poker Chase app. Satellites run daily until December 19.
The Freeroll (Zero Cost)
Ideal for beginners or those building a bankroll from scratch.
- When: Saturdays at 19:30 (Nov 22 – Dec 13).
- Buy-in: Free (No re-entry; Late reg open for 15 mins).
- Prize: The winner receives 3x PC Main Tickets.
Turbo Satellites (Fast Structure)
Designed for players with limited time.
- When:
- Mon–Fri: 19:30
- Sun/Holidays: 16:00 / 17:00
- (Note: No Turbo satellites on Saturdays)
- Buy-in: 1x “PC Mini Satellite Ticket”
- Shop Price: ¥1,500 (1 ticket) or ¥3,000 (3 tickets).
Deep Satellites (Skill Focused)
A deeper structure offering more playability and guaranteed seats for the podium.
- When: Daily at 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00, and 24:00.
- Buy-in: 1x “PC Satellite Ticket”
- Shop Price: ¥5,000 (1 ticket) or ¥12,000 (3 tickets).
- Prizes: 1st through 3rd place each win 3x PC Main Tickets.
The Warm-Up: NLH Mini Main Event
Before the Main Event kicks off in January, the NLH Mini Main Event anchors the December schedule. This is a full multi-day tournament perfect for getting into the zone.
- Day 1A: Dec 27 (Sat) 17:00
- Day 1B: Dec 27 (Sat) 22:00
- Short Day 1: Dec 28 (Sun) 10:00
- Day 2: Dec 28 (Sun) 15:00
Entry Fee:
Players can enter using 2 Live Satellite Tickets + ¥7,000. Direct buy-in options (e.g., ¥80,000) are also available at the cage.
Player Contracts & Rewards
In adherence to Japanese regulations, JOPT awards top performers with Player Contracts rather than cash prizes. These contracts sponsor players’ entry fees and travel expenses for major international tournaments.
- Contract Valuation: Contracts are calculated based on a fixed exchange rate (USDJPY 159.77, based on the specific Mitsubishi UFJ Bank rate cited in the rules) plus a 5% handling fee.
- Online Exclusive Rewards: Poker Chase qualifiers can also earn limited-edition in-game items, including “JOPT Tokyo” titles, table themes, and chips.
Summary
With Online Day 1s starting as early as December 6, the race for the JOPT title begins now. Whether you qualify via the Poker Chase app or plan to buy in directly at Belle Salle Takadanobaba, this New Year’s series promises to be one of the largest in JOPT history.
For full structure sheets and the most up-to-date rules, please visit the Official JOPT Website.
