Spanish poker professional Leo Margets has captured global attention as she battles for a spot at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table, potentially ending a historic 30-year drought for women in poker’s most prestigious tournament. With only 18 players remaining on Day 8 of the 2025 WSOP Main Event, Leo Margets stands as the last woman in contention, carrying the hopes of making history while chasing the tournament’s $10 million top prize.
The Pivotal Hand That Changed Everything
Leo Margets’ journey to poker prominence took a dramatic turn during a crucial hand that eliminated Sergio Veloso in 16th place for $450,000. The Spanish bracelet winner entered Day 8 sitting in 15th place with 17.8 million chips, but it was a massive pot that would catapult her into contention for the final table.
After the dinner break, with blinds at 500,000/1,000,000, Leo Margets found herself in the hijack position with pocket jacks (J♦J♣) and raised to 2,000,000. Sergio Veloso, holding ace-king suited (A♣K♦) in the small blind, moved all in for 32,700,000 chips, just under Margets’ stack. The original raiser made the call, setting up a race for a massive pot worth over 65 million chips.
The flop came out Q♣A♣9♠, giving Veloso top pair and putting Leo Margets in a difficult position. However, the turn brought the 3♠, providing Margets with a flush draw to complement her two set outs. In a dramatic conclusion, the river delivered the 2♣, completing Margets’ flush and sending Veloso home in 16th place. This crucial victory propelled Leo Margets to 71,000,000 chips, making her one of the tournament’s chip leaders.
Breaking Barriers in Poker’s Most Prestigious Event
Leo Margets’ deep run in the 2025 WSOP Main Event represents more than just tournament success—it’s a potential breakthrough in poker history. Barbara Enright remains the only woman to have reached the final table of the WSOP Main Event, achieving this milestone in 1995 with a fifth-place finish for $114,180. The 30-year gap since Enright’s historic achievement has seen several women come tantalizingly close to breaking this barrier.
Annie Duke came closest in 2000, finishing in 10th place and bubbling the final table. Gaelle Baumann experienced similar heartbreak in 2012, also finishing in 10th place. Most recently, Kristen Foxen made a memorable run in 2024 before being eliminated in 13th place. These near-misses have made Margets’ current position even more significant, as she attempts to become the first woman in three decades to reach poker’s most exclusive final table.
A Proven Track Record of Success
Leo Margets brings substantial credentials to her historic run, with over $2 million in live tournament earnings throughout her career. Her poker journey began in 2007, and she quickly established herself as a formidable force in the game. Her breakthrough came in 2009 when she finished 27th in the WSOP Main Event for $352,832, marking her first significant success on poker’s biggest stage.
The Spanish professional achieved her career-defining moment in 2021 when she captured her first WSOP bracelet in Event #83: $1,500 The Closer, earning $376,850. This victory made her the second woman to win a bracelet in the 2021 WSOP and the first to win a bracelet in an open event that year. Her consistent performance across multiple tournaments has earned her recognition as one of Europe’s most skilled female players.
The Current Tournament Landscape
The 2025 WSOP Main Event has proven to be one of the most competitive in history, with 9,735 total entries making it the third-largest Main Event ever held. The massive field created a prize pool of $90,535,500, with the winner set to receive $10 million. As of Day 8, only 18 players remain, each guaranteed at least $450,000, with significant pay jumps awaiting those who reach the final table.
Belgium’s Kenny Hallaert leads the remaining field with impressive consistency, having topped the leaderboard for multiple days. The 2016 November Niner has leveraged his experience to maintain his position, building his stack through strategic play and timely aggression. Other notable contenders include Braxton Dunaway, the 2023 Monster Stack champion, and Michael Mizrachi, who finished fifth in the 2010 Main Event.
Technical Excellence and Strategic Approach
Leo Margets’ success stems from her methodical approach to tournament poker and her ability to navigate high-pressure situations. Her performance in the crucial hand against Veloso demonstrated her willingness to make bold decisions when the stakes are highest. The Spanish professional’s decision to call Veloso’s all-in with pocket jacks in a tournament-defining moment showcased both her mathematical understanding and her courage under pressure.
Her strategic evolution since 2009 has been remarkable, transitioning from a promising newcomer to a seasoned veteran capable of competing at the highest levels. Margets’ ability to maintain composure during extended tournament play has been a key factor in her success, allowing her to make optimal decisions even when facing elimination.
The Broader Impact on Women’s Poker
Margets’ deep run extends beyond personal achievement, representing a significant moment for women’s participation in poker. Her success has generated widespread media coverage and inspired discussions about gender representation in poker’s elite tournaments. The Spanish professional has consistently advocated for greater female participation in poker, using her platform to encourage women to pursue competitive play.
Her journey from casual player to bracelet winner demonstrates the potential for women to excel in poker’s most demanding environments. The visibility of her current Main Event run has attracted attention from both poker enthusiasts and mainstream media, highlighting the skill and determination required to compete at poker’s highest levels.
The Path to the Final Table
With 18 players remaining, Margets faces the challenge of navigating through two more elimination rounds to reach the coveted final table. The tournament structure requires players to demonstrate sustained excellence across multiple days, with increasing blinds and escalating pressure creating an environment where every decision carries enormous weight.
The Spanish professional’s current chip position provides her with the ammunition needed to continue her aggressive play style while maintaining the flexibility to choose optimal spots for engagement. Her experience from previous deep runs, combined with her technical proficiency, positions her well for the remaining challenges.
Historical Context and Significance
The significance of Margets’ achievement cannot be overstated within poker’s historical context. Since the WSOP Main Event began in 1970, only one woman has reached the final table in over five decades of competition. This statistic underscores the rarity of Margets’ current position and the magnitude of the barrier she’s attempting to break.
Barbara Enright’s 1995 final table appearance occurred in a field of 273 players, significantly smaller than the modern Main Event. The evolution of poker strategy, the expansion of the player pool, and the increased global competition make Margets’ achievement even more impressive in the contemporary context.
Looking Ahead: The Final Push
As Day 8 continues, Leo Margets finds herself in an unprecedented position, holding the potential to rewrite poker history. Her current chip stack of 71,000,000 places her among the tournament leaders, providing the resources necessary to continue her aggressive approach. The Spanish professional’s experience, combined with her technical skills and mental fortitude, positions her as a legitimate contender for the final table.
The poker world watches with anticipation as Margets attempts to accomplish what no woman has achieved in 30 years. Her journey from the small cardrooms of Barcelona to the pinnacle of poker competition represents more than just individual success—it embodies the evolution of women’s poker and the ongoing fight for equality in competitive environments.
Whether she ultimately reaches the final table or falls short, Leo Margets has already secured her place in poker history. Her courageous run, marked by skillful play and unwavering determination, serves as inspiration for the next generation of female poker players. As the tournament progresses toward its conclusion, all eyes remain fixed on the Spanish professional who dares to dream of breaking poker’s most enduring barrier.
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