Leo Margets Makes Herstory at WSOP, Sparks “Girl Crush” Wave

Leo Margets Makes WSOP Final Table in Historic Poker Run

For nine days in Las Vegas, Leo Margets gave poker the kind of story it doesn’t get nearly enough: a poised, powerful woman making history at the game’s highest stage. And while her record-breaking run in the 2025 WSOP Main Event ended in 7th place, the way she played—and carried herself—had everyone rooting for her.

She was elegance in motion. Fire without the ego. By the time she took her final bow, Margets had earned not just $1.5 million, but a roomful of standing applause, admiration from poker royalty—and, yes, a viral girl crush tweet or two.

Vanessa Kade’s Tweet Captures Poker’s Crush on Leo Margets

Vanessa Kade, herself a top player and industry voice, echoed what many were thinking. The admiration was palpable—not just for Leo’s game, but the way she played it: unbothered, strategic, and undeniable.This moment resonated deeply across queer poker communities—Margets’ skillful play and historic presence lighting a flame of admiration and celebration.

Everyone’s Crushing on Leo Margets After WSOP Main Event

Let’s be honest: everyone had a girl crush this week. The kind that hits when someone steps into a room (or a final table) and owns it without asking for permission. There’s something magnetic about watching someone dominate quietly—no bravado, no ego, just style and substance.

The poker world felt it. So did straight women. So did queer women. So did… well, everyone.

This wasn't just about breaking records. It was about presence. Watching someone move through a hyper-competitive space with that kind of elegance and control? That’s aspirational. That’s hot.

Leo Margets Eliminated from WSOP Final Table with A♥10♥ vs 6♠6♥

It all came down to Hand #28 on Day 9. Sitting in the small blind, Margets limped in with A♥10♥. Kenny Hallaert shoved from the big blind with 6♥6♠, and after a pause, Margets called for her tournament life.

The flop came J♥7♠5♠—low and tense. Then came the turn: A♠. Her rail erupted. She’d pulled ahead with top pair...

But poker doesn’t always reward the bold. The river was the 9♠, completing Hallaert’s backdoor flush and cutting Margets’ dream short. She was turned away from the table when it hit, and the moment it landed was quiet—almost too quiet—until it sank in.

Hallaert immediately embraced her. The crowd rose. Margets had just made the deepest Main Event run by a woman in nearly 30 years—and the largest cash ever recorded by one: $1.5 million.

Leo Margets Reflects on WSOP Journey: ‘The Experience of My Life’

“I’ve enjoyed every single hand I’ve played,” Margets told PokerNews after her elimination. “It’s hard to express with words. It’s been so emotional, but at the same time, you have to recompose every time you’re at the table.”

She was all class in the aftermath, taking time to speak to media and celebrate with her supporters—many of whom had been following her journey since Day 1. “The support, I could feel it,” she said. “Some of my best friends were here and I was feeling their support.”

Now? She’s headed home. “Immediately next, I’m going to chill with my friends,” she smiled. “Then chill for a month.”

Poker Pros Praise Leo Margets After WSOP Final Table Finish

Kristen Foxen called her “a great ambassador for women in poker.” Maria Ho declared, “You are the moment!!!” And they’re right. Margets didn’t just make history. She gave the Main Event its most magnetic story. She was cool, gutsy, graceful—and if you're reading this with butterflies in your chest, you're not alone.

Whether you're a high-stakes grinder or a casual home-game shark, Leo’s run reminded everyone what’s possible. Not just to play—to be the one everyone’s watching.

And for a week in Vegas, we all were.

First Woman Since 1995: Leo Margets Makes WSOP Final Table History

Margets is the first woman to reach the final table of the Main Event since Barbara Enright’s legendary run in 1995. Poker is a space still grappling with gender imbalance; women typically make up less than 5% of the field in major tournaments.

Margets didn’t just show up—she dominated. She chipped up early, avoided high-risk spots, and played creatively through the middle stages of the event. In the final stretch, she held her own against aggressive chip leaders, battling through pressure and spotlights to lock in a seven-figure payday.

Why Leo Margets’ WSOP Run Matters—for Poker and Representation

Margets has been in the game for over a decade, but this was her breakout to a global audience. The game is evolving, slowly but surely, and Leo’s run adds fuel to the fire. It tells a new generation of fans and players—especially those who don’t see themselves at the table just yet—that there’s room. Not just to sit, but to win.

What’s Next for Leo Margets After Her Historic WSOP Finish?

This isn’t Margets’ first big result—she’s been a fixture on the European circuit and has a WSOP bracelet under her belt from 2021. But this Main Event run launched her into another stratosphere. Media attention is ramping up, and brands are circling.

The question isn’t whether we’ll see more of her—it’s how soon, and how far she’ll go.