Michael Mizrachi
Name: Michael Mizrachi
Winnings to Date: $11,165,522
Michael Mizrachi was born on January 5, 1981 in Miami, Florida. He is just one in a family of poker professionals. His older brother Robert Mizrachi, younger brother Donny Mizrachi and his twin brother Eric Mizrachi have both found success on the felt. They were all taught to player poker at a young age and played together as a family when they were kids.
When Mizrachi was growing up he wanted to become a Doctor but he eventually dropped out of college to play poker full time when he realized how talented he was. While his playing style isn’t flashy or over the top, he does perform consistently well which has earned him the nickname “The Grinder.”
He first hit the live tournament scene in 2004 placing second at Event #14 of the California State Poker Championships. Later that year, he claimed his first major title taking down the $10,000 L.A. Poker Classic Main Event for more than $1,859,909.
The following year (2005) he tied the record for most money finishes at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) cashing seven times but it wasn’t until 2010 that he would claimed his first bracelet in Event #2, the $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship. That year he also became runner up for the 2010 WSOP Poker Player of the Year award and became one of the November Nine for the WSOP Main Event.
The wins came just in time, in early 2010 Mizrachi found himself experiencing a personal crisis when the federal government filed against him for $339,711 in unpaid taxes.
Mizrachi is currently a sponsored pro for Full Tilt Poker. He and his brothers continue to cash in events around the world.