In the world of poker, where skill, strategy, and mental fortitude define success, Japan’s Yuri Ishida has carved a unique legacy. Not only has she built an impressive career at the tables, but she has also earned a reputation beyond the felt as the “Queen of Flag Hunting.”
Known for her passion for traveling and competing in live poker tournaments across the globe, Ishida, a KKPoker Sponsored Pro, is Japan’s top female earner. She has turned poker into an adventure, collecting trophies and international flags along the way. But before she became a renowned flag hunter and tournament grinder, Ishida’s story began in a more familiar setting—behind the dealer’s desk.
Yuri Ishida’s Early Life and Introduction to Poker
Born and raised in Japan, Yuri Ishida’s poker journey began while working as a dealer. She learned the game on her off days playing with her colleagues for fun, but eventually got hooked to it.
“Poker is a game of incomplete information. It allows for bluffing and mind games, making it intriguing. I love how it’s a mental battle where you can win regardless of your hand’s strength,” Ishida told KK Poker.
Yuri Ishida’s Poker Career Highlights and Earnings
Ishida’s first recorded cash came in 2012 when she finished 3rd in an APPT NLH Event to collect $4,128. She then scored a money finish in the 43rd WSOP Main Event for $48,530. The japanese player wrapped her first poker year by finishing 20th in the 2012 APPT Asia Championship of Poker, collecting $23,321.
Ishida’s first live poker victory came a year later in 2013 when she triumphed in the APT Jeju $350 PLO for a maiden Asian Poker Tour trophy and a payday of $1,700. She then concluded 2013 in style by winning her second APT title in APT Manila for winning the PHP 16,500 NLH, banking $13,182. In 2014, Ishida finished 2nd in the HK$15k NLH APPT ACOP collecting an impressive $41,635. In 2015, she triumphed in the APT Ho Tran Ladies of Poker Event, earning another APT trophy along with $820 payday.
Her next big victory came in 2018, when she took down the Asia Pacific Poker Tour Macau HK$5k NLH Ladies Event for her APPT trophy, earning $3,887. Ishida then won three back-to-back All Japan Poker Championship (AJPC) trophies, earning over $5k. She followed up the victories by adding another Asian trophy to her name, as she topped the Master Poker Series NTS40k High Roller for a payday of $14,273.
Two years later, in 2020, Ishida participated in the Merit Poker International Montenegro €200 buy-in DeepStack to collect $1,493. Ishida continued participating in tournaments, along with exploring new places. Her next big victory came in 2023 when she added another Asian Poker Tour trophy to her name by winning the 2023 APT Incheon Women’s Event for $3,640.
Ishida began 2024 by winning the ASPT Korea Omaha Li 8 or Better for $3,679. In May 2024, the female pro captured two back-to-back AJPC trophies winning the NLH Win the Bottom Event for $1,714, and the Mini Main Event for $7,636. She wrapped up the year by winning the Smart Poker Tour PLO Event in Sofia for $1,730.
As of 2025, Yuri is ranked 24th on Japan’s All-Time Money List. She has won over 12 live titles and accumulated a lifetime earnings of $723,179, establishing her one of the most decorated female players in Japan.
Becoming the Queen of Flag Hunting
Besides playing poker, Yuri Ishida, also known as the queen of Flag Hunting. In Poker, besides playing, players can also earn flags on Hendon Mob’s flag hunter leaderboard. Each flag represents how many countries a player traveled.
Ishida began her flag hunter journey in 2018 after finding out about the leaderboard. Ishida also loved traveling and thought of combining poker along with exploring different countries. Ishida reportedly has visited about 70 countries and earned over 40 flags. In 2024 alone, she collected 14 flags to finish 4th on Hendon mob’s Flag hunting leaderboard. She lost to Canadian Player Dominick French, who collected 48 flags in a year.
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