Michael Mizrachi: 2025 WSOP Main Event Victory and Newest Poker Hall of Famer

On a historic night for poker, veteran professional Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, 44, became world champion by winning the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Mizrachi overcame a field of 9,735 players from around the world—the third-largest in the tournament's history—to claim the $10 million prize and the coveted world champion bracelet. Hours after his triumph, the American received another unprecedented honor: he was immediately inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, an extraordinary decision made by the WSOP organization in recognition of his monumental achievement.

You can see the best moments of the final table in the video below:

Flash Final Table and Dominance of “The Grinder”

The 2025 Main Event final table saw Mizrachi enter as the heavy favorite, boasting a massive chip lead. With 76% of the chips in play at the start of the decisive day, the American gave his opponents no chance.

In a matter of minutes, he eliminated two opponents in just two hands: first, the experienced Belgian Kenny Hallaert fell in 4th place after putting his against the of Mizrachi when a jack appeared on the turn; on the next hand, American Braxton Dunaway risked all his chips with when calling an all-in from Mizrachi, who – "Grinder" completed a flush on the river, eliminating Dunaway in 3rd place. Within an hour of play, the heads-up duel was already decided.

In the final match, Michael Mizrachi faced John Wasnock, an amateur player from Washington state. Wasnock held out for a few minutes, managing to double his stack on one occasion and taking some chips from the leader. But Mizrachi's lead was immense, and the decisive hand soon came: Wasnock flopped two pair. , while Mizrachi, defending the big blind with , flopped a flush draw. Both players checked the flop, but the turn brought the club, completing Mizrachi's flush. After a bet from Wasnock and a raise from Mizrachi, the two ended up all-in. Wasnock still had outs for a full house, but the river brought no change. With that, Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi was crowned the 2025 WSOP Main Event champion, while Wasnock took second place and a $6 million prize.

"It was one of the most dominant performances I've ever seen at a Main Event final table," commented Nick Schulman on the broadcast, impressed by Mizrachi's speed and confidence. With the victory, Mizrachi secured not only the million-dollar prize and the famous gold bracelet valued at half a million dollars, but also the immortalization of his name with a banner in the Hall of Champions at the Horseshoe Las Vegas – the traditional space where world poker champions are displayed.

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Unprecedented Induction into the Poker Hall of Fame

Minutes after the final card was turned and Mizrachi became champion, the WSOP main stage witnessed an unprecedented scene. An entourage of poker legends, including Phil Ivey, Phil Hellmuth, Brian Rast, Jen Harman, and John Hennigan—all members of the select Hall of Famers—surrounded Mizrachi at the final table to deliver a historic surprise.

WSOP Vice President and Tournament Director Jack Effel took the microphone and announced that, by unanimous decision of the 33 living Hall of Famers, Michael Mizrachi had been selected as the newest member of the Hall of Famers. The crowd erupted in applause as a stunned Mizrachi was embraced by his fellow members. WSOP CEO Ty Stewart then formalized the honor: "Mizrachi has accomplished perhaps the most impressive feat in poker history, winning the two most difficult tournaments to win in the same year," Stewart said as he announced the player's immediate induction. "Welcome to the Hall of Champions and the Poker Hall of Fame," he concluded, handing Mizrachi a symbolic Hall trophy.

Post-win, Michael summed up the moment in a few short words.

“I feel like (the Main Event title) was cement. I cemented everything. That’s all I wanted was the Main Event. I did what I had to do in the poker world. Achieved the Hall of Fame. I’m never going to retire, so don’t worry about that. I’ll be back next year for a lot more.”

The decision is unprecedented in the more than 40 years of existence of the Poker Hall of Fame, established in 1979. Traditionally, only one player is inducted into the Hall of Fame each year, and the choice is usually announced during the WSOP after a voting process among veteran members and specialized media. In 2025, pro Nick Schulman had already been announced days earlier as the year's chosen name. However, Mizrachi's performance was so extraordinary that the WSOP organization chose to break protocol and make a "special exception."

Thus, Mizrachi became the 65th member of the Poker Hall of Fame – and the first to be inducted immediately after a Main Event victory. According to officials, the extraordinary inclusion was a way to recognize the magnitude of Mizrachi's achievement, something that "may never be repeated."

Wearing his new world championship bracelet on his wrist and visibly moved, Mizrachi posed for photos alongside legends of the game who have now become his peers in the Hall of Fame. "I never imagined I'd be inducted into the Hall this way, so quickly. It's an indescribable honor," he commented with a broad smile, simultaneously holding up his championship bracelet and the Hall of Fame trophy for the cameras.

Mizrachi's Legendary Career

The Main Event victory represents the pinnacle of a brilliant career. Michael Mizrachi had already been a renowned name in professional poker for almost two decades. Known by the nickname "The Grinder" for his tireless style and consistent results, the Florida player built an enviable resume even before this world title. He now has a total of eight WSOP bracelets (including the recently won title) – a feat that places him among the biggest winners in the series' history. Among these gems are four victories in the Poker Players Championship (a $50,000 buy-in mixed-game tournament considered one of the most difficult and prestigious in poker).

Mizrachi also shone outside the WSOP: he is a two-time World Poker Tour (WPT) champion, having won two titles on this high-level international circuit during the 2000s. In 2010, he came close to ultimate poker glory for the first time by reaching the final table of the WSOP Main Event – in that edition, he finished in 5th place, gaining worldwide notoriety. Since then, Grinder has remained a constant presence in the biggest competitions, accumulating millions in prize money and earning the respect of colleagues and fans. The 2025 world title finally fulfills the dream that was missing and serves as the crowning achievement of his career. "This is the most important moment of my career," declared an emotional Mizrachi after the victory. "I've waited my whole life for this."

Repercussion and Legacy

The news of Michael Mizrachi's victory and lightning-fast induction resonated intensely within the poker community. On social media and in the halls of the Horseshoe Las Vegas, professional players, fans, and Hall of Famers celebrated the historic moment. Even before the official confirmation, the chorus had already begun: when Mizrachi emerged as the chip leader on the eve of the final, Phil Hellmuth—the record holder for WSOP bracelets—posted a video alongside Daniel Negreanu (another Hall member) calling for an immediate induction.

"We all agree that if Grinder wins tomorrow, he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame immediately," Hellmuth said in the video, to which Negreanu added: "Mizrachi should have been there a long time ago. This guy is a living legend, a poker icon. He shows that you can have fun, love the game, and still dominate for decades." Several other well-known names echoed the sentiment, and the hashtag #GrinderHallofFame quickly gained traction on Twitter among poker enthusiasts.

Among the family and friends present in the crowd, the emotion was also unmistakable. Susan Mizrachi, the champion's mother, watched the induction ceremony with tears in her eyes. "We are so proud. He fought so hard and is finally getting the recognition he deserves," she declared, hugging her son, already a Hall of Famer.

Poker experts are already classifying Mizrachi's 2025 WSOP campaign as one of the greatest feats in the game's history. Winning the $50,000 Poker Players Championship—a tournament that demands mastery across multiple disciplines—and the Main Event—which requires overcoming thousands of opponents over two grueling weeks—in the same summer was practically unimaginable. "It's the poker equivalent of winning a marathon and an ultramarathon in the same event," an ESPN commentator compared, highlighting the level of skill and resilience required for such a feat.

With his world title and Hall of Fame honor, Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi has solidified his legacy among the sport's giants. He joins legends like Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, and Phil Hellmuth not only in the Hall of Fame, but also in the popular imagination as one of the greatest players of all time. Mizrachi's immediate induction also signals an evolution in how poker recognizes its idols, demonstrating that extraordinary moments can justify unique exceptions. For fans, the night of his victory will be remembered as the day Mizrachi made history twice: first as world champion, and then as a poker immortal.