The Japan Open Poker Tour series ranks among the largest poker festivals in Japan, attracting thousands of participants to its Tokyo events. This recent case of misguided marketing has transcended the bounds of a single unconventional sponsorship activation. It has opened a broader debate on where original marketing ends and where a sponsor's interest takes precedence over respect for the players the event is meant to support.
The Ladies Championship, with a buy-in of 30,000 yen, approximately $190, will take place on October 12th during JOPT 2026 Tokyo #03. The tournament is exclusively for women, with total tournament prizes estimated at around $10,817. However, the main focus has not been the tournament itself, but the additional prizes prepared for the top three players.
The JOPT series aimed to support women in poker through a new partnership, but instead of positive feedback, it sparked a discussion about the sexualization of players. The event winner is set to receive as a sponsor's prize 150 condoms, three packs of lubricant, and a clothing collection. These unusual rewards were not a substitute for tournament winnings but additional prizes from Sagami, which became the tournament's title sponsor.
| Placement | Condoms | Lubricant |
| 1st place | 150 pieces | 3 packs |
| 2nd place | 80 pieces | 3 packs |
| 3rd place | 40 pieces | 1 pack |
Support for Female Poker Players or a Marketing Misstep?
Sagami presented the partnership as support for women embracing new challenges. The company also referred to its principle “Fun First, Respect Always,” which underpins its new project, Funris.
Part of the Japanese poker community, however, noted that the results might have the opposite effect. Ladies tournaments are meant to create a more accessible environment for women and help expand the female poker community. Massive bundles of sexual products distributed according to final rankings were labeled by some commentators as insensitive and poorly conceived.
The criticism wasn't just about the products themselves. Concerns arose mainly about their exclusive association with a women's tournament and how they were presented as rewards for athletic performance. According to critics, organizers risk overshadowing the accomplishments of top players with jokes and discussions unrelated to their performance at the poker tables.
1st Place
— ゼクシィ (@whitezexy) October 6, 2026
Sagami Original 0.01 Condoms, 10-pack × 12 boxes
Sagami Original 0.01 L-Size Condoms, 10-pack × 3 boxes
99% Water-Based Lubricating Jelly × 3
Fanlith × JOPT Hoodie × 1
Fanlith × JOPT T-shirt × 1
Fanlith Socks × 1 pair
OHARAPEARL Tahitian Pearl Ring
brillar Single…
Detailed Prize List Disappears from Website
Initially, JOPT published the exact quantity of products designated for each of the top three places. However, after the criticism spread, organizers removed the detailed breakdown. The official Sagami announcement now describes the prizes generally as product gift packages supplemented with clothing.
The organizers have yet to announce whether the partnership has been terminated or the sponsorship prizes completely withdrawn. The current communication simply does not specify their exact content. The Ladies Championship remains part of JOPT's schedule and is set to kick off on Monday, October 12th at 12:00 local time.
Sources - X, PokerNews, sagami.hk, japanopenpoker
