Michael Mizrachi
Born in 1981 into a Jewish/Iraqi family residing in North Miami Beach, Florida, Michael Mizrachi's upbringing was rooted in strong family ties. Introduced to the world of poker by their mother, Michael and his three brothers also pursued their ambitions as skilled chess players, fostering his innate analytical thinking skills.
Michael left college after being attracted to professional gambling, as two of his older brothers were making a good living playing poker professionally. His initial intention had been to attend university and become a doctor, but the allure of the professional game proved too strong to resist.
| Land | Professional since | Favorite games | Bracelets | Highest profit | total profits | All-Time Money Rankings (2023) | Global Poker Index (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 2004 | All-rounder | 4 | 2.332.992 $ | 15.691.948 $ | 21 | 583 |
| Hometown: | Miramar, Florida |
| Interesting facts: | Michael has three brothers, all of whom play poker. Two are professional players, while the third brother is a professional magician. He is fluent in Hebrew. Initially, he wanted to become a doctor. |
| Key moments in poker: | In January 2005, Mizrachi participated in the WPT World Poker Open and secured the 5th position. The following month, he emerged victorious in the WPT L.A Poker Classic, earning him a substantial sum of almost $1.9 million. |
| Number of WSOP bracelets: | 4 |
| WPT/EPT Winnings: | 2 |
| Total tournament winnings: | $ 15.691.948 (Stand 2017) |
Play style and character
Michael, whose nickname is "The Grinder," has gained a reputation for his steadfast and unwavering style of play, which ultimately leads him to triumph over his adversaries. He is a tenacious and unrelenting competitor, even when it comes to small sums, and never approaches the game with recklessness. Additionally, he possesses a touch of superstition. He firmly believes that the color red is synonymous with bad luck for him, as every time he has worn red while playing in the past, he has suffered defeat. As a result, he now takes great care to wear garments in either green or blue, colors that he believes bring him good fortune.
His fascination with poker was truly ignited through online poker games. It was during this time that he honed his playing style, which he later adapted and maintained during live tournaments. He started playing in tournaments, initially in an unassuming manner, with low stakes, and gradually worked his way up the ladder.
Initial experiences and achievements
When he felt confident enough, he made his debut at the World Poker Tour in Tunisia in 2005. Participating in the "No Limit, Hold'Em" event, he secured the 5th position, earning himself a substantial $288,000. While this achievement was impressive for a newcomer, he was still disappointed not to have secured a higher placement. Following such opportunities, Michael meticulously analyzes his gameplay retrospectively, a habit he has maintained to this day.
A few months later, he felt prepared to compete in the LA Poker Classic. He bested seasoned, top-ranked players and emerged victorious, claiming the grand prize of $1,859,909 at the "No Limit Hold'Em Championship." From that point onwards, Mizrachi embarked on his journey of consistently triumphing in tournaments and raking in substantial amounts of money throughout 2006.
In 2010, Michael emerged victorious in The Poker Player's Championship, securing his first bracelet. Simultaneously, he amassed a substantial sum of $1,559,046 in prize money.
In September 2010, Mizrachi faced legal action from Deliverance Poker for breach of contract. This occurred when he entered into new sponsorship agreements with various companies, including Full Tilt Poker. Lawsuits were filed against Mizrachi by Deliverance Poker, alleging that he had violated the terms of his previous contract. One of the key points of contention was Mizrachi's decision to sign a new sponsorship deal without fulfilling his obligations to Deliverance Poker. The legal dispute brought significant attention to Mizrachi's professional career and the intricacies of sponsorship agreements in the poker industry.
