Michael Mizrachi “The Grinder”

The 2010 World Series of Poker was dubbed by some as the “Year of the Comeback.” Several big names put themselves back on the poker map either with very strong showings or with bracelet wins. However, no player made a bigger statement than the 2010 World Series of Poker $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship winner Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi.

The $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship replaced the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Event at the WSOP and the new game brought an 8-Game mix. In 8-Game, you have all the games of H.O.R.S.E., but you also add 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball, PL Omaha, and NL Holdem.

Going into this event, had someone said that a Mizrachi would make the final table of this event, many would have guess his brother Robert would have been that player since Robert has a history with mixed games. Michael’s history was more as a NL Holdem legend that could also play PL Omaha.

The final table of this event was very strong and actually did include Michael’s brother Robert. John Juanda, Daniel Alaei, David Oppenheim, and Vladimir Shchemelev were also at the final. The final table of this event was played entirely NL Holdem to accommodate ESPN. Michael wound up eliminating his brother in 5th place and ultimately faced Shchemelev heads-up for the title. The heads-up battle raged on through the night and into the morning, but in the end Mizrachi emerged victorious and took home over $1.5 Million in prize money to go along with his first ever WSOP bracelet.

Many remember Mizrachi for his dominance of the NL Holdem world in 2005 and 2006. Both years he won well over $2 Million each year. He also took home 2 WPT titles in that stretch. However, after his 2006 campaign, Mizrachi has had what would be considered solid years by many, but somewhat lackluster by his standards. In 2008, he had a good run with 5 WSOP cashes and 2 final tables, but his total year’s earnings were still around the $800,000 range.

This $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship victory was the springboard into what has turned out to a banner WSOP for Mizrachi. Mizrachi cashed five times in the 2010 WSOP with four final tables. One of those final tables is the 2010 WSOP Main Event. Mizrachi has made the 2010 November Nine and starts the event in 7th chip position. Should Mizrachi make a comeback at the final table and win this event, he would tie for Player of the Year honors with Frank Kassela.

At present, Mizrachi has $9.6 Million in career earnings, which is 14th on the all-time money list. Should he win the $8.9 Million top prize of the Main Event, he will springboard everyone and become the all-time money winner in poker. Even if Mizrachi does not win the Main Event, he is still the winner of the $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship. To many, he is already considered poker’s “True World Champion.”