Michel Leibgorin

Michel Leibgorin is a French professional poker player who has amassed more than $2 million in live tournament cashes, according to The Hendon Mob. He is recognized as one of the most prominent names in attendance at major European poker festivals. His career includes numerous deep runs and consistent performances across a variety of buy-in levels. While specific early results are not well-documented in public records, his continued presence at high-profile events underscores his skill and dedication to the game.

In March 2025, Leibgorin traveled to Riga, Latvia to compete in the OlyBet Showdown Riga Voodoo Spring Edition at Olympic Voodoo Casino. The festival featured a variety of events, with the highlight being Event #8: the €555 Championship. This three-day tournament attracted 169 entries, generating a prize pool of €79,325 and making it one of the largest in Latvian poker history. From the outset, Leibgorin and Sweden's Arasch Mirzai established themselves as the dominant forces. According to a report by PokerPro, they “always held dominating stacks” and were the top two on the chip counts to start Day 2 and the final table. The duo avoided any major confrontations until the heads-up stage, allowing them to cruise to the top two positions. At the final table, Leibgorin defeated Mirzai to win the trophy and the €17,685 top prize, while Mirzai earned €13,070 for his runner-up finish. The victory was described as “a rare feat” and added a significant cash to Leibgorin’s career haul. The article noted that he now has “more than 17 thousand good reasons (and a trophy) to have good memories of his poker experience in the Latvian capital of Riga.”

Based on his performance in Riga, Leibgorin demonstrates a patient and calculated approach to tournament poker. He avoids early clashes and focuses on building and maintaining a large stack, using his chip advantage to apply pressure at critical moments. His ability to sustain a dominant stack from the early stages to the final table indicates strong fundamentals in both deep-stacked and short-handed play. This controlled style has allowed him to achieve consistent results across various events and buy-in levels. While detailed information about his broader playing style is limited, his success suggests a disciplined and strategic mindset.

Leibgorin is regarded as one of the top French poker players on the live circuit. With over $2 million in career earnings and a recent victory at a notable European festival, he continues to be a formidable competitor. As of March 2025, his win at the OlyBet Showdown represents one of his largest scores, reaffirming his ability to perform under pressure. Moving forward, he is likely to remain a fixture at major poker tournaments, particularly in Europe.

The final table of the €555 Championship featured a mix of international talent. In addition to champion Michel Leibgorin and runner-up Arasch Mirzai from Sweden, Latvia's Sergejs Piratovs finished third, wearing his lucky black t-shirt throughout the three-day event. Piratovs' strong performance highlighted the local contingent, though his exact prize was not disclosed in the report. The final table structure saw the top two players dominate from start to finish, with the remaining competitors battling for the third-place spot. Leibgorin's heads-up victory over Mirzai capped off a tournament where both players consistently held the largest stacks, avoiding confrontation until the final duel.

The OlyBet Showdown Riga Voodoo Spring Edition was a major poker festival held at the Olympic Voodoo Casino in Riga, Latvia, from March 22-30, 2025. The €555 Championship was one of several events, including a €1,100 Main Event and various side tournaments. The festival was notable for drawing international players and setting attendance records in Latvia. Leibgorin's victory was the largest prize awarded during the first six days of the festival, underscoring the importance of his win. The event was widely covered by PokerPro journalist Jason Glatzer, who highlighted the rarity of two players dominating from Day 2 through the final table. This festival emphasized the growing popularity of poker in the Baltic region, with Leibgorin's performance adding to his reputation on the European circuit.