The ‘Michael Jackson of Japan’ on the Poker Scene

Pop legend Michael Jackson is estimated to have earned $1billion during his solo career, but this week it was Japan’s version of the iconic singer who was on hand to celebrate the WPT reaching their own $1billion milestone.

Japanese pop superstar and actor GACKT may not be as well-known outside of his homeland as the late best-selling ‘Thriller’ artist, but he is making a name for himself in the poker world as well as the music scene, cashing several times across the globe – including a 4th spot in a $25K Aria High Roller, worth $75,600.

The $billionth in WPT prizemoney will go to the 47th place finisher in their Legends of Poker Main Event running this week, and at a special VIP reception celebrating the milestone, Bicycle Hotel & Casino tournament director Mo Fathipour referred to GACKT as the “Michael Jackson of Japan,” his nine studio albums making him one of the ‘biggest musicians in all of Japan’.

GACKT is no newbie to the tables, having played for around 6 years, but his visit to the WPT exposed him to some very good players, the popstar saying:

“In the WPT, I feel some class, for sure. Not only talking about poker, but the mood, the environment. There’s a different feeling in the air."

He added:

“There’s definitely some tough players. I’ve met some people at the WPT, and I was impressed. They’re so nice and they’re not only thinking about poker, but also thinking about the business side of the game, so I decided to join the WPT. Hopefully I want to stay long and make the final table, of course!”

Back in his homeland, Okinawa-born GACKT, who looks much younger than his 44 years, has had reservations about being associated with poker, explaining:

“It’s kind of sensitive because playing poker sounds like gambling. I didn’t say anything at first, but the times are always changing and I decided to be someone who could tell people to join poker and that it’s not just gambling. It’s a game of strategy. When I play poker it makes me strategize my every move and try to think ahead of my opponents.”

Speaking as the WPT Legends of Poker Main Event got underway with a massive 763 entries and a $2,738,407 prizefund, with $668,692 up top, GACKT focused on something which is rarely mentioned:

“I just want to say that in other sports you need to start as soon as possible, you have to start as a child.”

Naturally, with gambling laws as they are, it’s nigh on impossible to start as a kid or even a teenager, but the point is salient:

“With poker, whenever you start, you can play anytime and you can play with anybody. In poker, you get a lot and it’s not physically draining. It’s more a mental and intellectual challenge.”

He finished with a message to his Japanese fans:

“I love playing in the WPT, so when they come to Asia, I definitely want to join again. I want to tell a lot of Japanese people to join the WPT. This is so fun.”

Perhaps not a phrase everyone would use when meeting and greeting William Kassouf!