Michael Mizrachi: What You’ll Learn

🏆 How Michael Mizrachi’s life and career changed after winning the WSOP Main Event

💰 What his dual victories in the Main Event and Poker Players Championship mean for his legacy

🎯 Why Mizrachi rejects GTO strategy in favor of instinct-driven play

🤝 How new sponsorship deals and brand partnerships are shaping his post-WSOP career

🔮 What Mizrachi plans for the future, including mixed games, tournaments, and influencing poker’s evolution

Winning the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event is a career-altering accomplishment for any poker player, but 2024 was a year unlike any other for Michael Mizrachi. The longtime pro from Hollywood, Florida, secured the $10,000 Main Event title and also captured what many consider the second-most prestigious tournament in poker, the $50,000 Poker Players Championship (PPC).

The dual victories earned him more than $11 million in prize money and automatic induction into the Poker Hall of Fame. Since then, Mizrachi’s life has been a whirlwind of travel, media appearances, sponsorship deals, and new opportunities across the global gaming landscape.

Already a major force in poker with six previous WSOP bracelets, two World Poker Tour titles, and more than $29 million in tournament cashes, Mizrachi’s profile has now reached an entirely new level.

He recently spoke with Casino.org about his monumental summer, the pressure that accompanies his newfound status, and the direction he hopes to take his career next.

Life After the Win: Fame, Recognition, and Staying Grounded

Mizrachi admits that winning the Main Event has changed his life dramatically.

“Winning the Main Event definitely changes everything,” he said. “It’s not just about the fame, it’s about the recognition that comes with achieving something every poker player dreams of. I’ve been grinding for years, putting in the work, and having that kind of run really cements what I’ve always believed about my game.”

Since his victory, Mizrachi has been on the move nonstop, from Las Vegas to the Gumball 3000 rally in Europe, to a slot tournament in the Bahamas, to national advertising campaigns on television. Despite the spotlight, he’s intent on remaining humble and appreciative.

“There’s definitely more recognition now, in casinos, on the street, even outside the poker world – people asking to take a selfie and talking about the hands I’ve played during the main event,” he says. “But I try to stay grounded. The pressure is higher now because expectations rise, but I look at that as motivation to keep improving and proving that I belong at the top.”

Image Credit: 5 second Studio/Shutterstock

A Different Approach: Mizrachi’s Anti-GTO Playing Style

With two massive victories this summer, Mizrachi added significantly to an already remarkable poker résumé. His fourth PPC title sets a record, and winning both the Main Event and PPC in the same year places him among some of the greatest champions in the game’s history.

Unlike many top professionals who lean heavily on game theory optimal (GTO) strategies, Mizrachi takes a more instinct-driven approach. His reads, intuition, and willingness to make bold plays were on full display at the Main Event final table, which wrapped up faster than many expected due to several early eliminations he orchestrated.

“I’m playing to win, and that’s the way I’m going to always play,” he said on the podcast. “I’m not afraid of laddering up. You guys play GTO. or whatever you want to do. I’m going to play to win and have all the chips. I’m putting myself in the best position to win.”

At 44, he still sees plenty of big poker moments ahead.

“Even after winning the Main Event, I’m nowhere near done,” he says. “I’ve always loved mixed games, so winning more in those areas is a big goal. I also want to maintain consistency. It’s one thing to have a big win; it’s another to keep performing year after year.

“Longevity in this game means everything. Beyond that, I’d love to keep contributing to poker’s growth, mentoring newer players, getting involved in tournaments or events, and helping keep the game fresh and exciting.”

Sponsorships and Brand Deals: Mizrachi’s Growing Presence

Mizrachi’s historic run has generated significant business opportunities. At the Main Event final table, he represented an online poker operator, a social poker platform, and California’s Commerce Casino. Tech company AngelAI also featured him prominently in a national commercial campaign highlighting his victory.

Earlier this month, Mizrachi signed another major endorsement deal, joining poker legends like Daniel Negreanu and Fedor Holz as an ambassador for GGPoker. The partnership marks an important milestone for a player who first developed his game in online poker environments.

“Every poker player dreams of milestones that validate years of dedication, discipline, and passion for the game. For me, signing a brand ambassador contract with GGPoker, the world’s largest online poker operator, represents one of those defining moments, a true peak in my career.”

Image Credit: EA23031/Shutterstock

A Surprising Partnership: Mizrachi Enters the Slot Tournament World

One of Mizrachi’s newest ventures may surprise traditional poker fans. He was scheduled to appear at the myVIP World Tournament of Slots (WTOS) at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, hosted by mobile game developer PLAYSTUDIOS.

The event brings together 500 top social-casino and slot machine players, competing for a massive $1 million grand prize. Mizrachi planned to participate and even bring his mother along for the competition.

His interest in slot machines isn’t new. On a recent podcast, he explained that spinning reels is a way to decompress during long poker summers.

“Slots are the opposite; they’re a way to switch off and just enjoy the ride,” he says. “It’s entertainment. Some poker players don’t really get it and see it as just gambling, but I’ve always said that as long as you’re disciplined, it’s fine.”

What’s Next: Mizrachi’s Future in Mixed Games and Poker Innovation

Mizrachi plans to capitalize on his momentum as the new face of GGPoker and as a key representative at major WSOP events, including WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas. Beyond brand work, he wants to use his platform to champion poker’s evolution, particularly in mixed games and creative tournament formats.

“I’ve always loved mixed games because they test every part of your skill set,” he says. “I like to play cash games and to be an aggressive player, forcing other players to make tough decisions. I’m drawn to tournaments that offer something different – bounty formats, shootouts, progressive structures, anything that adds a new layer of strategy. I think the future of poker is going to lean even more into these creative formats, and I want to be part of that evolution.”

A Champion Entering a New Phase of His Career

Michael Mizrachi’s remarkable summer has already cemented his place among the legends of the WSOP, but the Main Event win appears to be just the beginning of a new chapter. With major sponsorship deals, global appearances, a growing brand presence, and renewed motivation at the tables, “The Grinder” is preparing for even bigger moments ahead.

Whether in mixed games, high-profile tournaments, or as an ambassador helping guide poker’s future, Mizrachi remains one of the game’s most influential figures and all signs suggest his story is far from finished.

FAQ: Michael Mizrachi & the WSOP Main Event

Title Image Credit: GG Poker