Leo Margets Breaks 30-Year Barrier at WSOP Main Event Final Table

Leo Margets has etched her name in poker history by becoming the first woman in three decades to reach the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table.

The 41-year-old from Barcelona joins an elite group, following Barbara Enright's fifth-place finish in 1995.

Margets, with over $2 million in career earnings and a 2021 WSOP bracelet, now stands on the brink of an unprecedented achievement: becoming the first female champion of poker's most prestigious event.

"It's amazing. I'm living the dream that any poker player wants to live," Margets shared, reflecting on her historic run.

Her journey to the final table was marked by pivotal moments, including a dramatic hand against Sergio Veloso.

Holding pocket jacks against Veloso's ace-king, Margets secured a crucial pot, eliminating Veloso in 16th place and significantly boosting her chip count.

Entering the final table with 53.4 million chips, Margets is in a strong position among the nine finalists.

Leading the pack is John Wasnock, a 50-year-old from North Bend, Washington, with 108.1 million chips.

Wasnock's journey from a modest $143,000 in live earnings to the chip leader spot is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the Main Event.

Close behind is seven-time WSOP bracelet winner Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, holding 93 million chips.

Mizrachi, a Las Vegas resident, is aiming to add the Main Event title to his impressive resume, which includes a record fourth Poker Players Championship title earlier this series.

Other notable finalists include Kenny Hallaert from Belgium, returning to the final table after a sixth-place finish in 2016, and Braxton Dunaway, a Texas oil industry worker with 91.9 million chips.

The final table also features players from diverse backgrounds, including Serbian doctor Luka Bojovic, Alaskan pro Adam Hendrix, Korean player Daehyung Lee, and Nevada's own Jarod Minghini.

The 2025 Main Event attracted 9,735 entrants, creating a massive prize pool and marking the third-largest field in WSOP history.

Play resumes at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, with the champion set to be crowned by Wednesday.

As the final table approaches, Las Vegas is experiencing extreme heat conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning, with temperatures expected to reach up to 114°F (46°C) on Monday.

Residents and visitors are advised to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

In the midst of this sweltering heat, the excitement surrounding Margets' historic run provides a refreshing narrative.

Her presence at the final table not only breaks a long-standing gender barrier but also inspires a new generation of female players to pursue their poker dreams.

As the cards are dealt and the chips are stacked, all eyes will be on Margets to see if she can turn this historic opportunity into a groundbreaking victory.

Regardless of the outcome, her journey has already left an indelible mark on the world of poker.