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.

The Best of Ryuta Nakai: Exclusive Poker Image Gallery