In the heart of the Horseshoe Event Center, a deafening roar of applause erupted as Spanish poker pro Leo Margets pulled off a miraculous runner-runner win deep in the 2025 WSOP Main Event. Across the casino floor in the Paris Ballroom, players paused mid-hand to cheer. It wasn’t just a big pot. It wasn’t just a big moment. It was poker history in the making—Margets had all but locked up her place at the final table, becoming the first woman to do so in 30 years. And for many women in the game, it was a victory long overdue.
Since Barbara Enright’s groundbreaking final table appearance in 1995, poker has seen explosive global growth, yet no woman had cracked the WSOP Main Event final table again—until now. Margets’ breakthrough marks a turning point for gender representation in the world’s most prestigious poker tournament.
A Historic Moment for Women in Poker
Leo Margets’ run at the 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event is more than a deep run—it’s a moment of cultural significance. For decades, poker has been dominated by men, both in terms of participation and visibility. Margets, who already held a WSOP bracelet from winning the 2021 $1,500 Closer event, now steps into an even brighter spotlight as she aims to become the first woman ever to win the WSOP Main Event.
Maria Ho, a Women in Poker Hall of Famer and respected commentator, summed up the sentiment perfectly in her social media post:
“It’s been 30 years in the making. Congratulations to Leo Margets for being the first woman to reach the World Series of Poker Main Event final table in the modern era!”
Indeed, Margets’ accomplishment isn’t just about one player’s skill—it’s a symbolic win for women who’ve been carving out space in high-stakes poker for years.
Respected and Admired by Peers
Kristen Foxen, a five-time bracelet winner and three-time GPI Female Player of the Year, was quick to voice her support. Foxen came heartbreakingly close herself in 2024, finishing 13th in the Main Event. Her message to Margets was filled with admiration:
“Congratulations on making history @LeoMargets, and good luck on the final table!!! Leo is a great ambassador for women in poker.”
The praise didn’t stop there. Nadya Magnus, the 2021 GPI Female Player of the Year and an active advocate for women’s inclusion in the game, emphasized the wider impact of Margets’ run. She suggested this moment could ignite a “women’s poker boom”—a surge of female players inspired to compete at the highest levels.
Jamie Kerstetter, a beloved poker commentator and runner-up in the 2024 Ladies Championship, celebrated the achievement as an “amazing accomplishment,” sharing a photo with Margets that quickly made the rounds online.
A Role Model on and Off the Felt
Leo Margets’ charisma and class at the tables haven’t gone unnoticed. Florida-based player Dayanna Ciabaton shared her experience playing with Margets during this year’s Ladies Championship:
“She was engaging, funny and an ideal ambassador.”
Stories like this add a human touch to Margets’ public image—not just a poker force, but someone other players want to root for. It’s a quality that makes her representation at the final table all the more powerful for poker fans around the globe.
Abby Merk, the 2024 GPI Award-winning content creator, also chimed in:
“I hope she knows that the entire female poker community is supporting her. Whether you get 1st or 9th, you’re already a winner in so many ways to me!”
Margets’ influence clearly stretches beyond performance. She represents change, resilience, and the evolution of what a poker champion can look like.
A Community-Wide Celebration
Support didn’t just come from women in poker. High-stakes pro Jared Bleznick and Spanish superstar Adrian Mateos were quick to congratulate Margets at the tables. Even Phil Hellmuth, never shy about voicing opinions, highlighted her talent during Day 1 of the Main Event:
“I don’t know if you guys know this, but this is a very good player here. Very good.”
Daniel Negreanu also paid tribute to the milestone, speaking during his deep run in another WSOP event. He reflected on the significance of Margets’ success:
“It’s actually special because there’s only one woman that’s ever done it, but that wasn’t in the modern era. You had so many close calls, and for her to be the one to do it—perfect choice.”
The Final Push: Day 9 Awaits
Now, Leo Margets sits fifth in chips heading into Day 9 of the WSOP Main Event, sharing the final table spotlight with legends like Michael Mizrachi. Her guaranteed payout of $1,000,000 is already a career-best and pushes her Hendon Mob earnings over the $3 million mark. But the goal isn’t just history—it’s victory. A WSOP Main Event title would place her in a category all her own.
And for the poker community—especially its women—it would be a breakthrough of monumental proportions.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Deep Run
Leo Margets’ WSOP Main Event journey is more than a story of big pots and deeper stacks. It’s a moment of long-overdue recognition, a rallying cry for women in poker, and proof that with grit and grace, the highest peaks of the game are no longer off-limits to anyone.
No matter where she finishes at this year’s final table, Margets has already etched her name into WSOP history and inspired a new wave of female players to chase the dream.
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sources : pokernews
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