Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi is known as one of the best overall poker players in the world. He has eight World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets in his collection, including a 2025 WSOP Main Event title for $10 million.
He has made two WSOP Main Event final tables (2010 and 2025). In both of those years, he won the $50,000 WSOP Poker Players Championship, a tournament he's won a record four times.
Mizrachi was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2025 during a special ceremony held immediately after his WSOP Main Event victory. The honor recognized what many consider one of the greatest feats in poker history: winning both the $50,000 Poker Players Championship and the Main Event in the same year. It also celebrated the full scope of his extraordinary career.
Michael Mizrachi Background
Michael Mizrachi was born in 1981 in Miami, Florida. He is the younger brother of another famous poker player, Robert Mizrachi, who was Michael's poker guide and mentor. Robert has five WSOP bracelets to his name.
Michael Mizrachi learned to play poker from his older brother, Robert. Robert showed his younger brother the ropes and helped him cut his teeth. Before long, Michael was working his way through the limits online, becoming increasingly successful. “The Grinder” got his nickname for having a solid, consistent style of play; he always steadily " grinded” his way through tournament fields.
When he realized he could make some real serious money playing, Michael let his aspirations of becoming a doctor take the back seat to poker. He dropped out of college to play full-time.
Michael Mizrachi X
Michael Mizrachi is on X and has the handle @TheGrinder44.
Michael Mizrachi Instagram
Michael Mizrachi is on Instagram and has the handle @thegrinder44.
Michael Mizrachi YouTube
Michael Mizrachi does not currently have an official YouTube account.
Michael Mizrachi Poker History
Although a successful player across many different tours, the true story of Michael Mizrachi, the poker player, is one of a love affair with the WSOP.
Cashes piled on year after year for “The Grinder”, but despite all his tournament success, he was yet to win a World Series of Poker bracelet. Michael came close in 2008 when he held the chip lead going into the final table of the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha World Championship, but ended up finishing third. But then in 2010, Mizrachi finally won his first bracelet in the $50,000 Player's Championship event, winning $1,559,046, with his older brother, Robert Mizrachi, finishing 5th in the same event. Michael then proceeded to make the November Nine of the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event.
In 2011, Mizrachi won his second bracelet, only this time he did it on European soil at the World Series of Poker Europe in Cannes, France. He ended up winning the €10,400 No-Limit Hold'em (Split Format) event, taking home the bracelet along with the €336,008 cash prize. In 2012, Mizrachi came back to Las Vegas for another great run at the $50,000 Poker Players Championship for his third bracelet and a cash prize of almost $1.5 million.
Mizrachi won the $50,000 Poker Players Championship for the third time in 2018 and then the $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better in 2019. Victory in the $888 No-Limit Hold'em Crazy 8's Encore online event at the 2024 WSOP saw Mizrachi claim his sixth bracelet, before he won a record-breaking fourth $50,000 Poker Players Championship at the 2025 WSOP.
That same year, he made it to the WSOP Main Event final table for the second time, starting the final table second in chips. He would go on to run all over the final table, beating John Wasnock heads-up in the process, to become world champion.
Michael Mizrachi's Top 5 Poker Results
| Date | Event | Rank | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | $10,000 Main Event | 1st | $10,000,000 |
| Jul 2010 | $10,000 WSOP Main | 5th | $2,332,992 |
| Feb 2005 | $10,000 WPT LA Poker Classic | 1st | $1,859,909 |
| May 2010 | $50,000 Poker Players Championship | 1st | $1,559,046 |
| Jun 2012 | $50,000 Poker Players Championship | 1st | $1,451,527 |
What is Michael Mizrachi's Net Worth?
Although it is difficult to precisely estimate Michael Mizrachi's net worth, at the time of writing he has accumulated just under $30m in live tournament earnings.
Michael Mizrachi Family
Michael Mizrachi comes from a poker dynasty with his older brother, Robert Mizrachi, also a multiple-time WSOP bracelet winner. Michael Mizrachi has two other brothers called Eric and Donny, both of whom are also successful poker players. Michael Mizrachi's mother, Susan Laufer, affectionately known as "Momma Grinder," taught the brothers to play poker as children in Florida.
Michael Mizrachi has three children, his son Paul Mizrachi who is also a poker player, and siblings Julie and Joseph.
Michael Mizrachi FAQs
How many WSOP bracelets does Michael Mizrachi have?
Michael Mizrachi has won eight World Series of Poker bracelets, including four victories in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship and the 2025 WSOP Main Event.
Did Michael Mizrachi win the WSOP Main Event?
Yes. Mizrachi won the 2025 WSOP Main Event, earning $10 million and his eighth career bracelet.
How many times has Michael Mizrachi won the Poker Players Championship?
Mizrachi has won the $50,000 Poker Players Championship a record four times, widely regarded as one of the toughest tournaments in poker.
Is Michael Mizrachi in the Poker Hall of Fame?
Yes. Michael Mizrachi was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2025 following his WSOP Main Event victory.
Why is Michael Mizrachi nicknamed “The Grinder”?
Mizrachi earned the nickname for his consistent, disciplined style of play, steadily grinding his way through tournaments rather than relying on high-variance tactics.
Who is Michael Mizrachi’s brother?
Michael Mizrachi’s older brother is Robert Mizrachi, a five-time WSOP bracelet winner who helped introduce him to poker.
How much has Michael Mizrachi won in live tournaments?
As of 2025, Michael Mizrachi has accumulated just under $30 million in live tournament earnings.
Is Michael Mizrachi active on social media?
Yes. He is active on X under the handle @TheGrinder44 and on Instagram as @thegrinder44.
