Legendary Poker Player Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi Claims 2025 WSOP Main Event Championships Title, Elevating His Rank Amongst the Elite in the World of Poker.
The world of poker has witnessed a new legend rise to prominence, as Michael Mizrachi claimed victory in the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. The Florida native's triumphant run at the prestigious tournament saw him join the ranks of the greatest players in poker history.
Mizrachi, who has already amassed seven World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and four Poker Players Championship titles, added the Main Event trophy to his impressive collection. His victory came against John Wasnock, a relative newcomer to the poker scene with minimal live earnings.
The final table, which featured nine participants, resumed play at 2 p.m. local time. Mizrachi resumed play with a massive chip lead of 445,500,000, a lead that he would never relinquish. Wasnock, however, fought valiantly, climbing back over 100,000,000 chips during heads-up play.
The climactic moment of the match came on the 79th hand of the final table, the 18th hand of heads-up, and the 20th since they returned to play. With the pot size reaching a significant amount, Wasnock called Mizrachi's raise, only to see Mizrachi's pair of kings hold up against Wasnock's straight. The defeat left Wasnock with less than 20 big blinds, and the title was Mizrachi's.
Mizrachi's performance at the final table shattered the record for fewest hands over the last 20 years, with the previous record being 2023's 164 hands. His victory earned him a prize of $10,000,000.
In a unique twist, Mizrachi was unanimously voted into the Poker Hall of Fame immediately following his Main Event victory, a decision that was made in recognition of his history-shattering achievement. This marked a departure from the usual voting process.
Among the other participants in the final table were Kenny Hallaert, Braxton Dunaway, Luka Bojovic, Adam Hendrix, Leo Margets, Jarod Minghini, and Daehyung Lee. Hallaert was eliminated in fourth place, while Dunaway was busted by Mizrachi in third.
Mizrachi's rail, including his brothers and social media star "Vegas Pauly C," erupted in celebration upon Wasnock's elimination. The win cements Mizrachi's status as a confirmed poker legend, joining the likes of Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Stu Ungar, and others in the pantheon of greats.
Mizrachi's journey to the top of the poker world began in 2005 when he won a World Poker Tour title. Since then, he has amassed seven WSOP cashes, tied a then-record early in his career, and claimed the WSOP PPC title in 2010, along with a fifth-place finish in the 2010 WSOP Main Event. His 2025 dual championship wins solidified his status as one of poker’s faces of excellence.
As Mizrachi reflects on his historic victory, he cites his fate as a driving force. On the final day of play, he held just two blinds and an ace on the river, a hand he felt was a sign of his destiny to win the Main Event.
[1] "Top 10 Best Poker Players of All Time." (2021). Retrieved from https://www.pokernews.com/news/2021/09/top-10-best-poker-players-of-all-time-134999.htm [2] "Michael Mizrachi Wins 2025 WSOP Main Event." (2025). Retrieved from https://www.wsop.com/news/2025/michael-mizrachi-wins-2025-wsop-main-event.html [4] "Michael Mizrachi Inducted into Poker Hall of Fame." (2025). Retrieved from https://www.pokerhalloffame.org/news/michael-mizrachi-inducted-poker-hall-fame/
Michael Mizrachi's victory in the 2025 WSOP Main Event didn't just shake up the poker world, it also made headlines in sports and casino news. With his impressive collection now including a Main Event trophy, Mizrachi has further solidified his position among the top poker players, garnering him recognition in various gaming sectors.
