5 Flags in a Row! Poker Tour Across Europe
Yuri Ishida, ranked 5th in the world for flag hunting, has earned live poker tournament cashes in an incredible 51 countries. In this second installment of her poker diary, she shares more stories from her journey around the globe.
During a brief two-week trip through Europe in March, she achieved the remarkable milestone of adding five new country flags to her collection.
Learn more about Yuri’s European poker adventure, including her overseas dealing know-how, the special significance behind her 51st flag, and the amazing players she crossed paths with during the trip.
Triumphs in Wales & Scotland
At the beginning of March 2025, Yuri took part in the Grosvenor 25/50 Series held in Cardiff, Wales—and battled through the £250 No Limit Hold'em event for the win!
According to the official event report, the result was listed as a chop, but as it turns out, it wasn’t quite a standard deal. Yuri revealed there was actually a slightly unusual arrangement behind the scenes.
"During heads-up, I had about 80% of the chips, and after almost every hand, my opponent kept asking if we could work out a deal," Yuri explained.
"I was already thinking that—even if I won—it would be tough to carry the heavy trophy around due to my upcoming travel. So in the end, we made a deal where I gave up the trophy and a £1,000 ticket to another event, which was part of the prize pool.
Just two days later, Yuri traveled to Scotland and finished as runner-up in the Women’s Championship at the Glasgow Poker Festival in partnership with the Irish Poker Tour.
It was a fitting achievement on International Women’s Day—taking 2nd place in a ladies event made the moment even more special.
"When we were down to three players, I was in the big blind with just 1BB left in my stack. I thought I was basically done," Yuri recalled.
"But then, unexpectedly, the other two players went all-in against each other. I folded, holding on to my last big blind with a tiny bit of hope."
"One of them busted on that hand, and thanks to that lucky twist, I managed to finish in 2nd place!"
Back in November last year, Yuri also made a strong showing at the Palace Casino Manx Cup on the Isle of Man, finishing in 6th place on her very first try.
“In Wales, Scotland, and even last year on the Isle of Man, I kept getting good hands, connecting well with the board, and didn’t get sucked out by any weird hands. Maybe I just have good chemistry with tournaments in the pound zone!”
Slovenia: A Flag Dedication to Casey
In the latter half of March, Yuri finished 10th in the €230 + 100 No Limit Hold’em – CAPT IBK Bounty event at the Casinos Austria Poker Tour.
Right after the tournament, she rushed back to her hotel to pack her bags.
Her next destination? Slovenia—hopping on a bus and making a mad dash to get there in time.
"There was a Slovenian flag hunter I deeply respected—Casey Kastle, who is ranked 4th in the world. Sadly, he passed away in 2023.
"During his lifetime, Casey had earned flags from 51 countries. So I made a promise to myself that I would win my own 51st flag in his home country, Slovenia."
After the tournament in Austria, Yuri was set to return to Japan just two days later—a tight and demanding schedule. Still, she made her way to Slovenia to take part in the Balkan Poker Circuit.
With only one day to spare, she wasn’t able to enter the Main Event, so she decided to go for two side events instead.
Unfortunately, she didn’t make the money in the first NLH event. Hoping for another shot, she tried to register for the PLO event—but was told it wouldn’t run due to a lack of players.
"I started talking to people around the venue, doing whatever I could to rally enough players. In the end, we pushed it past ten players, and they agreed to run the event!
"In the event, only the top three spots were ITM. When we were down to four players, I was the shortest stack, and the thought of bubbling would’ve been such a rough way to go out, so I suggested a deal.
"There was a big chip lead between the first-place player and the rest of us, but to my surprise, the chip leader kindly agreed to a four-way deal."
It's truly moving to see how Yuri plays not only in pursuit of flags, but also with deep respect for those who’ve inspired her along the way.
Her determination to earn that 51st flag—rallying players in a foreign country, proposing a deal, and doing whatever it took—perfectly embodies the spirit of a true flag hunter.
No doubt, Casey was watching over her journey with pride and a warm smile.
Armenia: Poker Players Here Are Almost Too Welcoming!
Next on the journey was Armenia—a country with no direct flights from Japan and not very familiar to most Japanese travelers.
But for Yuri, it quickly became unforgettable. The poker players she met there were incredibly kind, and their warmth left a lasting impression.
"You’re allowed to eat at the table, and I was curious about what one of the Armenian players was having, so I asked, ‘What is that?’ To my surprise, he kindly ordered the same thing for me!"
"I had made it to Day 2 of the Main Event, but I was running behind schedule. While I was literally running to the venue, someone heading to Day 2 spotted me and offered me a ride—just in time!"
"During the tournament, I had shared a table with a player a few times, and after I busted out, I sent them a quick message to let them know. They replied, 'I'm having lunch right now—come join me!' and invited me over."
Thanks to the friendly and thoughtful Armenian players, Yuri says she had an amazing time on this solo trip.
Moments like these—connecting with people and experiencing genuine kindness through poker—are what make live poker so special.
Must-Visit European Countries for Poker Lovers
Curious which countries Yuri Ishida—who's earned flags in 51 different nations—would recommend?
When you think of major poker events in Europe, places like Spain, Monaco, or the Czech Republic might come to mind first.
But a seasoned flag hunter like Yuri has a few surprising picks up her sleeve.
"Personally, I’d recommend Slovakia, where KKPoker has sponsored several live events.
"The buy-ins are relatively affordable, yet the fields are large—and if you take it down, the prize can be pretty decent! It feels like there are a lot of great value events there.
"Plus, the overall cost of living is quite low, so it’s easy on the wallet while you're there, too.
"The Baltic region (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) is another favorite of mine—great poker scenes, affordable prices, and tasty food. I just love the vibe there!"
Chasing the Next Flag
After such a whirlwind tour across Europe, you might think Yuri would take a break from traveling abroad—but not quite!
In fact, right after this trip, she headed off on another poker adventure… this time to Canada.
With all that energy and drive, Yuri continues to travel the world on her poker adventures—gaining not just results or prizes, but truly irreplaceable experiences.
Through every trip, she connects with people from all walks of life and immerses herself in local cultures, discovering insights that go far beyond the game itself.
Many readers will no doubt relate to her journey, where poker becomes a gateway to learning, growth, and human connection.
We’ll continue to follow and share Yuri’s flag hunting journey—so stay tuned for more to come!
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