Mike Gorodinsky

Mike Gorodinsky was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and later moved to the United States. He graduated from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis in 2009. His early exposure to poker came during his college years, and he quickly developed a passion for the game, particularly focusing on mixed-game variants.

Gorodinsky began his poker career online under the screen name "SirWatts" on platforms like Full Tilt Poker. His first recorded live cash according to The Hendon Mob came in 2008. He established himself as a mixed-game specialist, competing in a wide variety of tournaments including 8-Game, Chinese Poker, and Pot-Limit Omaha. His online success transitioned into live tournaments, where he would go on to achieve significant fame.

Gorodinsky's World Series of Poker (WSOP) breakthrough came in 2013 when he won his first bracelet in a $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo / Stud Hi-Lo event. His most notable achievement occurred in 2015 when he won the $50,000 Poker Players Championship, earning $1,270,086 and being named WSOP Player of the Year. That year, he also finished second in the $10,000 Razz Championship. He won his third bracelet in 2023, taking down Event #54: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship for $422,747. In 2025, he won his fourth bracelet in the $10,000 Eight-Game Mixed Championship, and then his fifth just days later in the $10,000 8-Game Championship on July 5, 2025.

Gorodinsky has accumulated 76 live cashes with total earnings of $5,579,302 according to The Hendon Mob. His latest cash as of July 2025 is $422,421 from the $10,000 8-Game Championship. Some of his biggest scores include:

• 1st place in 2015 $50,000 Poker Players Championship ($1,270,086)
• 2nd place in 2015 $10,000 Razz Championship
• 1st place in 2023 $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship ($422,747)
• 1st place in 2013 $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo / Stud Hi-Lo
• 1st place in 2025 $10,000 Eight-Game Mixed Championship
• 1st place in 2025 $10,000 8-Game Championship (July 5, 2025)

He also cashed in WPT and EPT events, though specific results are not detailed in available materials. Gorodinsky is known for competing in high-stakes cash games against top players like Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan, appearing on live streams such as "The Poker Lounge."

Gorodinsky is widely recognized as a mixed-game specialist, excelling in complex variants like Omaha Hi-Lo, Stud Hi-Lo, H.O.R.S.E., and Eight-Game. His playing style is patient and theoretically sound, combining tight-aggressive fundamentals with aggressive adjustments when necessary. He is known for excellent reading ability and optimal decision-making in complex spots. In cash games, he emphasizes bankroll management and emotional control, avoiding unnecessary variance. He has also worked as a poker coach and contributed to strategy discussions online under his screen name "SirWatts." His calm and polite demeanor at the table has earned him respect among peers.

Gorodinsky's five WSOP bracelets and Player of the Year award place him among the elite of mixed-game poker. He is considered an "invisible" elite player due to his low-key nature, but his accomplishments speak volumes. For aspiring players, his career demonstrates the value of specialization and deep study of specific game variants.

In addition to his early screen name "SirWatts," Gorodinsky is also known online as "Gordo16." These aliases reflect his active presence in the online poker community, where he regularly engages in strategy discussions and shares insights on mixed-game variants. His reputation as a thoughtful analyst extends to forums and training sites, where his posts are valued for their depth and clarity. Despite his low-key public persona, his online contributions have helped shape modern mixed-game theory.

Beyond tournaments, Gorodinsky is a regular in high-stakes cash games, often playing in the biggest mixed-game lineups in Las Vegas. He has been featured on live-streamed cash game shows such as "The Poker Lounge," competing against elite players including Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, and other top pros. His ability to hold his own in these high-pressure settings underscores his all-around skill. Gorodinsky's cash game prowess, combined with his tournament success, solidifies his status as a complete mixed-game player equally comfortable in both formats.