Hugues Girard

Hugues Girard, often referred to as "Hugo," is a French professional poker player who has steadily climbed the ranks of the international tournament scene. Based in Paris, Girard first made a name for himself on the French circuit, building a solid foundation of results in both live and online events. His early career highlights include a runner-up finish in the 2024 Winamax Poker Tour Grande Finale Event #5: €500 NLH, where he earned $137,772. That score signaled his arrival as a threat in European tournaments and set the stage for his breakout victory later that year.

Girard's total live tournament earnings exceed $1,157,665, with a best live cash of $194,653. He ranks 89th on the France All Time Money List and 315th in the Global Poker Index (GPI) ranking. As of 2026, the Somuchpoker Poker Index (SPI) places him 35th globally with a score of 12,037. His consistent cashes—46 in-the-money finishes out of 51 events attended in the Asia-Pacific region alone—demonstrate his reliability and deep-stack prowess.

Girard's crowning achievement came in October 2024 at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime Paris Championship, held at Club Circus Paris. The €1,100 buy-in event attracted 1,242 entries over five starting flights, generating a prize pool of €1,192,320 (~$1,285,559). Girard dominated the final table, which streamed live on PMU Poker’s Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook channels. He nearly went wire-to-wire, starting the final table with a commanding chip lead and only briefly surrendering it during heads-up play against compatriot Mathieu Goncalves.

The final table spanned 242 hands. In the decisive hand, Goncalves jammed with king-nine and Girard called with king-seven. The flop delivered two sevens, giving Girard trips and the championship. For the win, he collected $183,294 and a $10,400 seat into the 2024 WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas. The victory stands as the largest score of his career and brought his lifetime tournament earnings past the $700,000 mark at the time. The full final table results:

Beyond his WPT title, Girard has accumulated an impressive record across multiple tours and formats. According to Somuchpoker, his net worth in the Asia-Pacific region alone is $942,532, with his biggest win there at $222,000. He has participated in events under the World Poker Tour, Asian Poker Tour, Triton Poker Series, Poker Dream, and others. His ability to cash in 90% of his attended events (46 of 51) underscores his consistent performance.

Notable other results include:

• Runner-up in the 2024 Winamax Poker Tour Grande Finale Event #5 (€500 NLH) for $137,772.
• A deep run in the WPT Prime Paris Championship where he also outlasted well-known players such as Conor O'Driscoll, who suffered a brutal bad beat when his pocket kings lost to pocket aces on the river (O'Driscoll finished 31st for $7,332).
• Multiple cashes in the French live poker scene and at international festivals, including the Zodiac Series of Poker and Royal Poker Tour.

As of 2025, Girard ranks 2,646th on the All Time Money List and remains active on both the European and Asian circuits.

Girard is widely regarded as a strategic, patient player who excels at managing deep stacks. His wire-to-wire performance at the WPT Prime Paris final table exemplifies his ability to maintain pressure while avoiding unnecessary risks. He is known for his keen hand reading and positional awareness, often waiting for premium spots to commit chips. Commentators noted his calm demeanor and precise bet-sizing throughout the marathon heads-up battle against Goncalves. While not a high-volume online grinder, Girard's live results suggest a fundamentally sound game built on solid fundamentals and emotional control.

With over $1.15 million in live earnings and a WPT title to his name, Hugues Girard has established himself as one of France's top tournament players. His victory at the WPT Prime Paris Championship not only brought him a career-defining score but also earned him a coveted seat in the prestigious WPT World Championship, where he will have the opportunity to compete against the world's elite. Given his consistent deep runs and ability to adapt across different buy-in levels, Girard is poised to continue climbing the global rankings and adding to his resume in the years ahead.