Jun Obara

Jun Obara, known online as "misawa," hails from Morioka, Japan. He began his poker career as an online specialist before transitioning to live tournaments with extraordinary speed. His early live results include multiple cashes on the World Poker Tour (WPT), notably a 6th-place finish in the 2024 WPT Alpha8 at Wynn Las Vegas for $145,688 and a 24th-place finish in the 2025 WPT Venetian Las Vegas Championship for $33,000.

Obara's career-defining victory came in September 2025 at the Triton Poker Series Jeju, where he won the $40,000 Mystery Bounty event for $699,000. He also pulled 17 bounties, adding over $1,000,000 in additional prize money, making him the first Japanese champion in Triton history. His largest single cash is $1,594,677 from a runner-up finish in the 2025 Wynn Summer Classic $10,400 Main Event. According to SoMuchPoker, his total live tournament earnings exceed $8,218,000, and his net worth in Asia-Pacific is $2,756,865, with a biggest win in the region of $849,000.

On the World Series of Poker (WSOP) circuit, Obara has recorded numerous deep runs. In the 2025 WSOP Paradise series, he finished 12th in the $100,000 Triton NLH Main Event ($363,000), 13th in the $150,000 Triton NLH 8-Handed ($231,000), and 12th in the $40,000 Mystery Bounty event at Triton Jeju 2026 ($53,000). He also placed 4th in the 2025 WSOP $50,000 NLH High Roller ($879,939) and 4th in another high roller event for $87,000. In the 2026 WSOP, he cashed in multiple events, including a 17th-place finish in the $25,000 High Roller 6-Handed for $68,178, an 11th-place finish in the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed for $3,925, and a 131st-place finish in the $1,700 U.S. Circuit Championship for $4,150. His WSOP.com profile lists 83 cashes, 4 final tables, and $3,657,694 in WSOP earnings.

In May 2025, Obara made history by winning the inaugural RGPS Mission RunGood Japan, held in Tokyo's Shinjuku district. The event, officially titled Event #22 NLH Colossus, drew 1,585 entries for a ¥25,000 buy-in (approximately $175). Obara earned $26,053 and the first RunGood ring awarded outside the United States. His victory marked the first time a non-American won a RunGood ring, and he was affectionately called "misawa-san" by the tournament emcee. The event was a collaboration between the RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) and the Japan Open Poker Tour (JOPT), highlighting the growing popularity of poker in Japan.

Obara also triumphed at the APT Jeju Classic 2026, winning a Turbo Double Stack Super High Roller event for $35,600. He has been remarkably consistent, cashing in 19 out of 22 events attended in Asia-Pacific. His other notable finishes include a 6th-place in the 2024 WPT Alpha8 and a 24th-place in the 2025 WPT Venetian. He currently ranks 9th on the Japan All Time Money List and 1,361st globally.

Obara is known for his bold, creative, and hyper-aggressive playing style. He builds massive chip stacks early and uses relentless pressure to outmaneuver opponents. His game relies on proactive decision-making and fearlessness, making him one of the most unpredictable players in high-stakes tournaments. Despite the pressure, he maintains a joyful and humble demeanor, often laughing at the table and earning respect from peers.

Obara is a pioneer for the growing Japanese poker scene, inspiring a new generation of players from his home country. His historic wins—especially the Triton title and the RGPS ring—have showcased Japan's potential as a global poker hub. He is a regular on the PokerGO Tour and a respected figure in international poker, known for his sportsmanship and skill. As the first Japanese Triton champion and the first non-American RGPS ring winner, Obara has bridged poker communities and cemented his legacy as one of Japan's greatest players.