Zoe has covered major poker series across Asia, including APT and the Players Series. With solid experience as a live reporter, she now joins SoMuchPoker to deliver in-depth coverage and share her insights from the tables.

Updated: 2025.12.26

Naohiro Arita is a Japanese professional poker player who has become a prominent fixture on the Asian tournament circuit, widely recognized for his high-volume cashes and strategic versatility across both No Limit Hold’em and Mixed Game formats.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With over $94,000 in total live earnings, Naohiro Arita currently ranks 272nd on the Japan All Time Money List. According to The Hendon Mob, his career-best live cash of $13,539 was achieved in 2025, a year that saw him accumulate over $82,000 in tournament winnings alone.

One of the standout achievements for Arita occurred in the APPT National at the APPT Manila 2025, where he outlasted a massive field to reach the final table, eventually finishing in 8th place for PHP 405,000 (~$7,130). He further solidified his status as a premier regional competitor with a 4th-place finish in the APT Taipei Freezeout for $5,935 and a string of deep runs in high-stakes “Hyper Turbo” events across South Korea and Taiwan.

Arita has demonstrated exceptional consistency throughout late 2025. Recent triumphs include a 7th-place finish in the APT Incheon Hyper Turbo High Roller for approximately $4,350 and a runner-up finish in the APT Incheon Heads Up event for $4,290. He also recently recorded a 13th-place finish in the APT Championship Taipei Turbo Championship in November 2025.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from Japan and currently residing in Tokyo, Naohiro Arita has transitioned from a local standout to a feared professional regular on the international stage. While he is a staple of prominent Asian festivals like the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) , his resume includes global experience with multiple cashes at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas. His rapid ascent is reflected in his Global Poker Index (GPI) ranking, where he reached a career-high of 4,154th in the world, ranking as the 57th best player in Japan.

Play Style & Strategy

Naohiro Arita is known for a calculated and high-pressure tournament strategy, often excelling in fast-paced “Hyper Turbo” and “Heads Up” formats where tactical precision is paramount. During his final table run at the 2025 APPT Manila National, live reporting highlighted his disciplined tactical approach, successfully navigating a field of 600 entries to enter the final day among the top chip leaders. His strategy frequently involves leveraging equity in short-stacked situations, a skill that has led to a high frequency of final table appearances across the most competitive Asian circuits.

Recent Attendances