Gaelle Baumann is one of the most respected names in European poker, best known for her deep run in the 2012 WSOP Main Event, where she finished just shy of the final table. Over the years, she has built a successful career in both online and live poker circuits, with numerous impressive finishes across major international events.
Beyond the felt, Baumann is also known for her intellectual background, multilingual skills, and dedication to her family. Here’s a closer look at her early life, poker journey, and achievements.
Early Life and Introduction to Poker
Gaelle Baumann was born in 1983 in Strasbourg, France. A highly educated individual, she holds two Master’s degrees—one in English linguistics and another in translation. After completing her studies, she moved to Perth, Australia, to experience the local culture and improve her English.
It was during her time in Australia that she was introduced to poker. In 2007, Baumann was invited to a home game, where she surprisingly performed well despite being new to the game. Encouraged by the experience, she began to explore poker more seriously, first online and later at live tables.
Poker Career Highlights and Winnings
Online Journey
Following her positive experience at the home game, Baumann entered the online poker scene under the screen name “O RLY,” starting with a deposit of €100. Thanks to a mix of beginner’s luck and sharp intuition, she found success in sit-and-go tournaments (SNGs), eventually transitioning to multi-table tournaments (MTTs), where she scored her first significant win of $1,500.
Although she eventually lost her initial winnings, Baumann didn’t lose focus. She turned her attention to live cash games at low to mid stakes. In 2010, she decided to take poker more seriously and began training with a group of elite European cash game players known as “The Limpers,” dramatically improving her game.
Live Poker Journey
Baumann’s first recorded live cash came in 2011 when she earned $4,405 for a deep run in the DSO Cannes €550 NLH Main Event. In 2012, she made a breakthrough with a cash of $19,804 in the EPT Monte Carlo €10,000 Main Event. Later that year, she made history by finishing 10th in the 2012 WSOP $10,000 Main Event, earning $590,442—the deepest run by a female player at the time. In 2024, Kristen Foxen came close to breaking that record but ultimately finished 13th.
Her next major score came in 2014 when she finished runner-up in the Winamax Poker Tour €550 NLH Main Event for $89,191. The following year, she placed 5th at the WPT Vienna Main Event, winning $37,739. In 2016, she cashed again in the WSOP $10,000 NLH Main Event, adding $49,108 to her bankroll.
In 2018, Baumann finished 5th in the Winamax Poker Tour €1,500 NLH High Roller for $33,249. The following year, she added three more cashes, including a 6th-place finish at EPT Monte Carlo €1,100 NLH for $19,454, a solid run at EPT Barcelona €5,300 Main Event for $68,627, and another cash at EPT Prague €5,300 Main Event for $22,794.
Baumann continued her success with a cash of $40,900 in the 2022 WSOP $10k Main Event and another $42,138 for her 26th-place finish at the EPT Barcelona €5,300 Main Event. In 2023, while she had several smaller cashes, she didn’t make any deep runs in major events. In August 2024, she won the KTPS Madelieu €800 NLH event for $14,672. Most recently, in March 2025, she cashed for $2,513 at the Winamax Poker Tour €500 NLH Le Finale WPT.
Net Worth and Earnings
Gaelle Baumann’s net worth is estimated to be in the seven-figure range. Her income stems not only from her poker winnings but also from ventures in trading and real estate. Additionally, she was a long-time ambassador for Winamax Poker, representing the brand for 13 years before parting ways in January 2025.
Personal Life
Baumann shares a daughter with professional poker player Kevin Noblat, born in 2015. While she has taken a step back from the live poker spotlight to focus on her family, she remains an active and respected member of the poker community. She is currently participating in the Winamax SISMIX series in Marrakech, continuing to enjoy the game she fell in love with nearly two decades ago.
Keep following PokerProNews for more such inspiring stories from the world of poker.
