Kai Cocklin is a poker journalist and live reporting manager who has worked with PokerNews at major festivals including the World Series of Poker and the European Poker Tour. He has managed multiple live reporting teams at the World Series of Poker and trained individual reporters to develop their skills. He now oversees Somuchpoker’s editorial and live coverage, ensuring consistent quality and engaging content across the Asian poker scene.

Updated: 2025.12.26

Ryuta Nakai is a world-class Japanese professional poker player who has reached the pinnacle of the game in 2025. He is currently ranked 10th on the Japan All-Time Money List, cementing his status as one of the most successful Japanese players in history.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With over $1,691,269 in total live earnings, according to The Hendon Mob, Nakai has surged past the $1.5 million career milestone, with nearly $1.6 million of his total earnings coming in a dominant 2025 season.

His career-best live cash of $415,755 was achieved in June 2025 for a 3rd place finish in the $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty (Event #72) at the 56th World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas. Other major 2025 highlights include:

~$360,413 (€309,000) – 2nd place in a €25,000 High Roller at European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona in August.
$270,000 – 34th place in the $25,000 WSOP Paradise Super Main Event in December, where he was a top-10 stack entering the final days.
$70,000 – 157th place in the WSOP Main Event World Championship in Las Vegas.
~$52,317 (KRW 72,980,000) – 6th place in the APT Super High Roller in Incheon in August.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from and residing in Shinjuku-Ku, Japan, Ryuta Nakai has transitioned from a regional specialist to a global high-roller regular. His commitment to the international circuit is reflected in his Global Poker Index (GPI) ranking of 323rd in the world and 4th in Japan. He is a frequent competitor at the highest levels, including the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series, where he has recorded multiple cashes against the world’s most elite fields.

Play Style & Strategy

Ryuta Nakai is characterized by a fearless and aggressive tournament style, particularly effective in high-stakes and short-handed formats.

High-Level Bluffs: During the 2025 WSOP Paradise Super Main Event, he was noted for a “bold bluff” that forced top-tier professional Jesse Lonis to fold a set of Kings, demonstrating Nakai’s willingness to play for maximum pressure regardless of the opponent.
Endgame Resilience: His ability to navigate massive fields in the WSOP Main Event and the Super Main Event suggests a highly disciplined strategy and the mental stamina required for elite multi-day competition.
High Roller Specialist: His 2025 results in EPT and APT High Roller events highlight a technical mastery of fast-paced, high-buy-in structures where ICM (Independent Chip Model) awareness and stack leverage are paramount.

Recent Attendances