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The most recognizable face at the table without a doubt is Michael ‘The Grinder’ Mizrachi. We’ve known the Grinder for quite some time in the poker world but he’s had an exceptional 2010 World Series of Poker and is still in the running for WSOP Player of the Year. The Mizrachi brothers all cashed the Main Event and were a focus of the ESPN broadcast until one of the four brothers and the biggest name remaining actually had a chance to make the November Nine.

Grinder planning his victory party

“It was the Main Event so a lot of the coverage was on me and I just watched myself to see what I did right and wrong.”

We did see a lot of the Grinder and his family during the coverage but we’ve also seen some pretty crazy hands. He’s no stranger to live poker but was still surprised by a few of the situations.

“The Filippo Candio hand when he had the 75 against the two Aces of Joseph Cheong when he check raised him. He checked raised him a little too much with the 4 million and Joseph Cheong moved all in and he immediately called, so that’s pretty surprising I mean it’s a pretty bad call.”

“Then there was the hand with Matt Affleck against Jon Duhamel with the Aces against Jacks and Duhamel hit a straight on the river for a huge pot.”

Grinder spent his break not worrying about analyzing other players and enjoyed traveling and playing poker in places like Romania, Israel, Cypress, France, Hungry, and Slovakia. He also signed with DeepStacks Live training and has taught live classes in Florida and on DeepStacks 360 online.

“I probably get more nervous teaching than playing poker.”

With just over 14 million in chips he is in 7th place going into the final table. He knows he is not exactly the favorite but does have a strong edge considering his live tournament experience.

“My prediction is I’m going to come in 8thplace, 5th place, or 1st place not because of strategy but just I wouldn’t mind taking that risk. I’m a 7 – 1 shot to win so I’m the underdog to win it but Joe Cada was short last year and he came through so anything can happen.”

I’m not sure where Grinder will finish but my prediction is that he will have the biggest cheering section in the Penn and Teller theatre. If you’re heading to the Rio to watch the action live, be sure to head out early and grab a custom ‘Grinder’ tee he designed and will be passing out for fans.

Grinder WSOP fashion