Michael Mizrachi
As of March this year, Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi is still leading the Player of the Year race.
After winning the Borgata Winter Poker Open in February Mizrachi added another final table to his 2006 resume when he finished second in the $2,500 No-Limit Tournament during the L. A. Poker Classic. This early season success has led him to a huge lead in the POY race and an addition of almost $2 million to his bankroll.
The Grinder started playing online poker after his brother Robert became successful at it. Michael said he did what all little brothers do; he looked up to his big brother and decided to follow suit. He started playing $5-10 Limit Holdem on Paradise Poker and moved along to the $30-60 and $100-200 at PokerStars. He has not looked back since.
Mizrachi burst onto the poker scene playing on PokerStars under the username: The Grinder. He had an infamous reputation mong online players. In 2005, he made it to the final table in back-to-back World Poker Tour events. At the 2005 World Poker Open , Michael finished in fifth place and a month later he won the 2005 LA Poker Classic.
He said that his online play has contributed to his success because he learned how to play against a wide variety of players. "Playing online helped me learn how to play against passive and aggressive players. I adjust to many styles of play, so it makes it harder to play against me.
He also claims that the WPT tournaments have a tougher level of opponents with a lot more skill than other poker tournaments.
Here's a short one-on-one with The Grinder from Poker Junkie:
Q: Are You Superstitious?
A: Not at All
Q: When did you decide to turn pro:?
A: when I was about 17 yrs old
Q: What best describes your style of play:?
A: The cards depends on the game I'm In but play an extremely aggressive game.
Q: Are you a Poker Junkie:?
A: Yes, because of the highly paid salary I receive....
Q: Biggest hand won?
A: I had AA vs KK vs KK vs JJ 6 handed at the Bellagio five diamond classic final table. Everyone was ALL IN preflop
Q: Worst Bad Beat?
A: Just recently I had 88 vs Daniel Negreanu 77 at the World Poker Open Main Event. Daniel raised the button I pushed him all in in the small blind knowing he has an underpair after the speech he made. Daniel said, "Either you have me dominated or im 50/50 but I call'. He raised to 65k
I assume and I went all in for almost 400k. Flop 5 6 9 turn 2 river and 8 to make him a straight. That was it I finished 5th fro 290k. This beat could've cost me 1.2 million but who knows...
