In nearly over a decade of Junichi Nakagiri’s poker career, this Japanese professional has played in just over 30 live tournaments. Nakagiri was a frequent participant in Manila events until the pandemic. With a couple of titles to his name, Junichi Nakagiri hovers at the 101st position of Japan’s All Time Money List with $157,232 in total live earnings.

Junichi Nakagiri – Poker Career

Junichi Nakagiri honed his poker skills in the Asian Poker Tour series, playing the first two years at the APT Jeju, Manila and Cebu. It’s no surprise then, that his maiden title would be at an APT Tournament. In August 2015, Nakagiri captured the NLH Event of the Asian Poker Tour Cebu.

The Japanese quickly backed this up with a major milestone by shipping the Main Event of World Poker Tour National Jeju for a career best cash, to date, of $ 46,855. By this time, after consistent play, Nakagiri was ranked as high as 55 in the Japan All Time Money List. He then returned to Manila and settled in to play exclusively in the archipelago for the next two years. He pitched tent again at APT Events, getting some deep runs at the Main Event of the Asian Poker Tour Manila in August 2016, then at the NLH Super Deep Stack Event of the Asian Poker Tour Manila Championships in May 2017. Junichi Nakagiri then ventured out of the Philippines, participating at the Asian Poker Tour Incheon in August 2017and the Macau Poker Cup 27 the following month with moderate success.

Junichi Nakagiri’s live play then slowed down considerably. Nakagiri entered only two tournaments in 2018 and was absent the entire 2019 through 2022, playing only once in 2021 at a World Series of Poker GG Poker online tournament. He returned to action only in May 2023, making a table finish at the APT High Roller 8 Max Event for a significant cash of $ 15,059. Nakagiri also played well enough in July at the APT Main Event of the Asian Poker Tour Summer Series Da Nang to pick up $ 11,156.

The Japanese is still trying to find the same form he had in 2015 as he tries to get back in the winner’s circle in 2024.

*Profile by Mike Alcazaren

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