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Who Is Michael Mizrachi, the Man Behind 'The Grinder'?
2025-07-16 - Sebastien Dubois
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11 cashes, one bracelet, a Main Event final table… Michael Mizrachi is chasing the WSOP 2025 double. A look back at the extraordinary journey of a legend still writing history.

At 44 years old, Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi is on the verge of accomplishing what no player ever has: winning both the Poker Players Championship and the WSOP Main Event in the same year. A look back at the extraordinary journey of a circuit icon, shaped by raw talent, financial storms, and unshakable belief in his destiny.


From Medicine to Poker: An Unexpected Calling

Born in Miami on January 5, 1981, Michael David Mizrachi grew up in a modest family. He wasn’t the only one drawn to cards: his older brother Robert also became a fierce poker pro, while his younger brother Eric made his way onto the circuit as well.

Originally set to become a doctor, Michael left his studies to dedicate himself to poker in the early 2000s, riding the online poker boom and the bustling live scene in Las Vegas.


Breakout Years: Mizrachi Steps into the Spotlight (2005–2006)

In 2005, he won the L.A. Poker Classic for $1.86 million, claiming his first WPT title. The following year, he continued his hot streak and was named CardPlayer Magazine’s Player of the Year.

Nicknamed “The Grinder”, Mizrachi quickly became known for his tenacity and ability to bounce back from the toughest situations.


Setbacks and Resilience: Between Financial Storms and Technical Mastery

Between 2007 and 2009, he faced major tax issues, asset seizures, and a reputation as a high-living risk-taker. But in 2010, he bounced back with a legendary WSOP summer.


2010: The Grinder’s Legendary Summer

He won the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship, then reached the Main Event final table, finishing 5th for over $2.3 million. An incredible run that propelled him into the poker elite.


A Résumé That Commands Respect

The only player to have won the PPC four times (2010, 2012, 2018, 2025), Mizrachi has collected bracelets and technical titles across multiple formats—Hold’em, Stud, Razz, Omaha, and Mixed Games.

During the 2025 WSOP, he delivered an outstanding performance with 11 cashes before even reaching the Main Event, and earned another bracelet in the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship, reinforcing his reputation as the master of mixed games.


Highlights as of Summer 2025:

- 7 WSOP bracelets
- 4 PPC titles (record)
- 1 WPT Championship title
- Over $19 million in live tournament winnings
- 27 WSOP final tables
- 100+ WSOP cashes



2025: The Marathoner's Latest Feat

On July 16, 2025, he reached the Main Event final four with 76% of the chips in play. A dominant position, earned through a series of big hands—including a dramatic A9 vs KK where he spiked an ace on the river.

A win would make him the first player ever to win both the PPC and the Main Event in the same year.


A Poker Dynasty and a Philosophy

Michael is the heart of a poker family, father of four, close to his brothers, and a longtime ambassador of the game’s longevity. Humble and relentless, he fully embodies his nickname: “The Grinder.”

“No matter the obstacles or the years, as long as I’m at a poker table, I feel alive. This game gave me everything.”
— Michael Mizrachi



Conclusion: The Final Chapter?

Whether he wins or loses, his legacy is already secure: Mizrachi is a legend. But a victory would see him join the ranks of Moss, Ungar, and Brunson atop the Mount Olympus of poker. A one-of-a-kind path for a one-of-a-kind player.

[Photo credit: PokerNews]

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