Meet Fearless River Instructor…
Michael Gagliano, known as Gags throughout the poker community, has been playing poker professionally for more than 17 years while also helping students achieve their goals as a coach since 2010. After crushing online felt, Michael successfully transitioned into the live poker arena in 2011 with multiple top 3 finishes in high-profile tournaments, including WSOP Bracelet events and multiple Borgata Poker Opens. Gags won his 1st World Series of Poker Bracelet in 2016 after qualifying online, outlasting a field of over 1000 players for a $448K first prize; his 2nd WSOP bracelet after winning the October 2022 Online Bracelet Series Event #18; took home a 3rd WSOP Bracelet in September 2023; and added more hardware to his trophy case in 2025, taking down Event #27 of the WSOP Online Fall Bracelet Series for his 4th career bracelet. In 2026, Michael capped off an unforgettable summer by making the final table of the WSOP Main Event, poker's biggest and most prestigious tournament, and finishing 4th out of a field of 9,208 for $2,750,000. As a staple in the East Coast scene and an active ambassador for BetMGM poker, Gags has helped to welcome a whole new generation of poker fans to the virtual felt.
Before becoming a professional poker player, Michael worked in an elementary school, which gave him the perfect background to become a premier poker instructor. As a sought-after coach for over 15 years, he has helped students from all over the world improve their game and win multiple championships, including the WSOP Main Event. Michael also serves as a consultant for major casinos and online poker sites to help them improve their product while simultaneously being a fierce advocate for the player. When not playing poker, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.
Let Michael Help Improve Your Game