Johan Guilbert

Johan Guilbert began playing poker full-time around 2010, initially focusing on online cash games under the screen name 'YoH ViraL'. He honed his skills in the high-stakes online arena, often playing multiple tables against world-class opposition. Born in France, he now resides in St. Julian's, Malta, a hub for many professional poker players. His early years were spent grinding online, building the foundation for his later success in both tournaments and cash games.

Guilbert's first major live breakthrough came in 2021, when he captured two $25,000 buy-in titles in quick succession: the Super High Roller Bowl Europe Event #2 for $506,250, and the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic $25K event. The same year, he finished runner-up in the 2021 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event, earning €789,031 ($892,811), his largest cash at the time. He also posted a third-place finish in the $100,000 Super High Roller Bowl Europe event for $560,000. In addition to these, he made final tables at EPT Prague (6th in a €25K Single-Day High Roller for €65,550) and partypoker MILLIONS North Cyprus (6th in the $2,200 Warm-Up for $50,170). In 2022, he continued with cashes in the Wynn Millions ($38,384) and WSOP events. His consistent performance earned him the Global Poker Index (GPI) Breakout Player award in February 2022 at the third annual Global Poker Awards.

Beyond tournaments, Guilbert is a regular in high-stakes cash games, frequently appearing on popular live streams such as Hustler Casino Live and Live at the Bike. He is known for his fearless, aggressive approach, often mixing it up with the best players in the world. His ability to read opponents and exploit post-flop range advantages has made him a formidable opponent in cash games. He also participated in the first season of GGPoker's "Game of Gold," a poker reality competition show, further cementing his status as a recognizable figure in the poker community. In 2023 and 2024, he continued to play high-stakes cash regularly while also taking shots at major tournaments.

After several near-misses, including a second place in the 2024 WSOP $2,500 Freezeout for $292,927, Guilbert finally captured his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2025 at WSOP Paradise. He won the $25,000 GGMillion$ Single Day Turbo event for a career-best $1,534,645. The victory was especially sweet as he had stepped back from the full-time grind, playing poker more as a hobby. "When I was trying so hard back in the days, I would never get it," Guilbert reflected after the win. "And now that I don't try — I play like ten tournaments a year — this happens. It's absurd." Earlier in 2025, he also finished second in the $50,000 NLH Grand Slam at the Onyx High Roller Series for $870,000, and cashed in the $25,000 Super Main Event at WSOP Paradise (67th, $125,000). In 2023, he finished 19th in the PCA $10,300 Main Event for $59,100 and 78th in the EPT Paris €5,300 Main Event for €16,200. He also cashed in the 2022 Mediterranean Poker Party High Roller (10th, $35,000) and the 2022 EPT Barcelona Main Event (192nd, €11,730). His live earnings have surpassed $7.4 million according to latest records, placing him among the top French players all-time.

Guilbert is known for an aggressive and creative playing style, excelling at exploiting post-flop range advantages and reading opponents. His online moniker 'YoH ViraL' is well-recognized in the poker world. He also engages with fans as a vlogger, sharing insights and hands through video content on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. His streams and educational material have helped him build a following and promote the game. Despite his success, he remains humble, often emphasizing that the game is about adaptation and continuous learning. His vlogs often feature deep analysis of key hands and his thought process in high-pressure situations.

In addition to the GPI Breakout Player award, Guilbert has been recognized globally as a top French player. He has received milestones on the Hendon Mob database for surpassing $4 million in earnings. His influence extends beyond results; he has inspired many online grinders to transition to live tournaments. With a WSOP bracelet, multiple high-roller titles, and a reputation as a cash game specialist, Johan Guilbert has solidified his place as a versatile and accomplished professional. He continues to be a regular face on major live streams and a threat in any event he enters.