Derick Elomina discovered poker at 14, playing home games with his high school friends. What began as a pastime quickly grew into a passion that shaped his career. By 21, he entered the poker industry as a field reporter — just old enough to step foot inside the casino. Starting as a hand reporter, he steadily honed his craft, blending sharp observation with growing writing skills. Known for his dedication, he constantly roams the floor to capture the action, conduct interviews, and deliver live updates. With a strong commitment to the game and a passion for telling poker’s stories, Derick continues to build his path in the industry.

Updated: 2026.03.07

Michael Gathy is a world-class Belgian professional poker player and a standout figure in the modern era of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) . As one of only two Belgian players to hold four or more WSOP gold bracelets (alongside Davidi Kitai ), Gathy is renowned for his technical precision and dominance in No-Limit Hold’em and Mixed Game formats. Based in Malta, he has consistently performed at the highest level for over a decade, transitioning from a breakout turbo-specialist to a seasoned High Roller competitor on the Triton and PokerGO tours.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With total live tournament earnings now exceeding $6,105,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Michael Gathy ranks 5th on Belgium’s All-Time Money List. His career is defined by his incredible efficiency at the WSOP, where he secured four bracelets between 2012 and 2020. His best live cash of $598,900 came from a 4th-place finish in the 2021 PGT PokerGO Tour Championship. Gathy has maintained elite form through 2025 and early 2026, recently finishing 2nd in a WPT World Championship 8-Max event for $166,944 and taking 4th in the 2025 Triton Jeju $20,000 NLH for $501,000. His immense consistency across major platforms contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $8 million.

Major Tournament Results:

Year	Event	Prize
2016	WSOP $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed (1st)	$560,843
2025	Triton Jeju $20,000 NLH 8-Handed (4th)	$501,000
2012	WSOP $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em (1st)	$440,829
2020	WSOP Online $500 “The Closer” (1st)	$272,504

Biography & Poker Background

Born in Brussels, Belgium , and now residing in the poker hub of St. Julian’s, Malta, Michael Gathy exploded onto the scene in 2011 by winning the Belgian Poker Series Grand Final. Just one year later, in only his second-ever WSOP event, he won his first bracelet in a massive field of 2,799 players. Gathy is often hailed as a pioneer of the “Turbo” format, having won the first-ever gold bracelet awarded for a turbo event in 2013. Despite his early specialization in high-speed No-Limit Hold’em, he has evolved into a versatile Mixed Game threat, recording final tables in 2-7 Triple Draw and 8-Game championships. A respected coach at Pure Poker, Gathy is known for his humility and an analytical mindset that has allowed him to thrive through multiple shifts in the poker meta.

Play Style & Strategy

Gathy is renowned for a “highly clinical, adaptive, and fearless” play style. While his early reputation was built on aggressive short-stack navigation in turbos, he has matured into a deep-stacked specialist who excels in the high-stakes environment of the Triton Poker Series. Strategically, he is a proponent of GTO (Game Theory Optimal) foundations but emphasizes “exploitative adaptability,” often finding unconventional lines against players who rely too heavily on rigid solver outputs. His ability to maintain emotional equilibrium during massive swings has made him one of the most feared “end bosses” in 6-max and high-roller fields. In 2026, he continues to be a high-volume traveler, focusing on elite stops where the technical edge over recreational players is greatest.

Want to follow Michael as he chases his 5th bracelet and competes in the 2026 PGT PokerGO Cup? You can find his profiles and stats here: