He has played professionally for over 20 years[when?] and is a long-time regular at high-stakes poker tables at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles. He was a co-founder and a "resident pro" at the online poker site PokerBlue, before it closed down in March 2007.
He represented Japan in the inaugural Intercontinental Poker Championship. Nakano defeated Lithuanian Tony G two out of three matches at the heads-up final table to take down the $350,000 first place money. In the final hand, Nakano's 3♣3♦ held up against Tony G's K♣9♠ on a board of A♠A♣J♣7♥3♥.[1]
As of 2008, Nakano's live tournament winnings exceed $610,000.[2]
