My heartfelt congratulations go out to Michael Mizrachi for putting the crown jewel on his illustrious poker career today, July 16, 2025. “The Grinder” has not just won the World Series of Poker Main Event; he has brought back the true spirit of the game, proving that raw instinct and mental fortitude can still conquer in modern poker.
In an era increasingly dominated by math nerds, Mizrachi is a breath of fresh air. I say that as someone who’s probably a math nerd himself. But that doesn’t mean televised poker needs more nerds. If the game we love is going to survive, we need the grit, the swagger, and the undeniable presence that players like Mizrachi bring to the felt.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m certain he’s spent many hours studying the game. But in a sense, he shares a lineage with legends like the late, great Doyle Brunson – those old-school, street-tough pros who didn’t learn the game on PartyPoker. Their play might seem unorthodox to some of today’s younger generation, but it’s effective because it’s rooted in instinct, reads, and an innate understanding of human psychology, rather than just probabilities.
Did he really say that?
Traditionally, poker pros aren’t known for their tact. If you ask the men’s Wimbledon champion to describe his victory, he’ll likely say, “I just want to give all the credit to my opponents for a hard-fought battle. These guys have my admiration.” Michael Mizrachi’s response yesterday when he was asked what he thought of the opposition going into the final day of the Main Event? “I should be able to finish these guys off in an hour.” That’s the “Grinder” spirit right there.
I remember watching him in the early days of the World Poker Tour and instantly feeling a connection. Although we haven’t met, we grew up in South Florida around the same time (okay, I’m a FEW years older), so his rise resonated. He was the guy everybody wanted to play like – aggressive, fearless, and with an uncanny knack for making big calls and bigger bluffs.
Still winning after all these years…
What’s truly remarkable about Mizrachi is his longevity. While other alleged pros came and went, burning brightly for a season before fading, this guy kept winning. How do you win the $50,000 Poker Players Championship, considered by many pros to be the most challenging event at the WSOP, not once, not twice, but now an astonishing four times against the absolute best mixed-game players in the world? It speaks to an adaptability and a mental resilience that few possess.
This WSOP Main Event victory is the capstone. Adding the Main Event title solidifies his place not just among poker’s elite, but as one of the greatest tournament players of all time.
It’s no surprise that legends like Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu have been vocal about his immediate induction into the Poker Hall of Fame. Frankly, it’s a no-brainer. Add my vote.
