Moti Mizrahi

Moti Mizrachi was born Michael David Mizrachi on January 5, 1981, in Miami, Florida. He is the younger brother of Robert Mizrachi, a fellow professional poker player with multiple WSOP bracelets. His father, Ezra Mizrachi, is of Iraqi Jewish origin, and Moti is fluent in Hebrew. Growing up, he aspired to become a doctor but dropped out of college to pursue poker full-time after finding success online.

Mizrachi earned his nickname 'The Grinder' for his steady, consistent style of play, steadily grinding through tournament fields. He tied the record for most WSOP money finishes in a single year in 2005 with seven cashes. In 2008, he held the chip lead at the final table of the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship but finished third.

Mizrachi's first WSOP bracelet came in 2010 when he won the $50,000 Poker Players Championship (PPC), earning $1,559,046, with his brother Robert finishing fifth. Later that year, he made the November Nine of the WSOP Main Event, ultimately finishing fifth for $2,332,992. He won his second bracelet at the 2011 WSOP Europe in the €10,400 No-Limit Hold'em Split Format event for €336,008.

In 2012, Mizrachi captured his third bracelet by winning the $50,000 PPC again for $1,451,000. He went on to win the same event in 2018 and 2025, setting a record with four wins in the championship. He also took down the $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better in 2019 and the $888 Crazy Eights online event in 2024. His crowning achievement came at the 2025 WSOP Main Event, where he defeated the field to win the title and $10 million, becoming only the second player to win both the PPC and the Main Event in the same year.

Beyond the WSOP, Mizrachi has two World Poker Tour (WPT) titles and has made seven WPT final tables. His overall live tournament earnings exceed $30,633,562, with the majority coming from WSOP events.

Mizrachi is known for his aggressive yet calculated approach, combining solid fundamentals with the ability to adapt across multiple poker variants. His nickname 'The Grinder' reflects his workmanlike attitude and consistent results rather than flashy play. He is considered one of the most well-rounded players in the game.

Mizrachi lives in Hollywood, Florida, and has three children: Paul William, Julie, and Joseph. He was married to Aidiliy Mizrachi until their divorce in 2016 for irreconcilable differences. He faced financial difficulties in the early 2010s, including a federal tax lien and foreclosures on properties. His younger brother Daniel Mizrachi is a professional DJ, and his twin brother Eric is a semi-amateur poker player.

Mizrachi was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2025 under extraordinary circumstances, immediately following his Main Event victory, bypassing the regular election process. His accomplishments, particularly the dual feat of winning the $50,000 PPC and the Main Event in the same year, are widely regarded as one of the greatest in poker history. With nine WSOP bracelets, two WPT titles, and over $30 million in earnings, Mizrachi is celebrated as one of the game's all-time greats.