Michael Mizrachi's Real Name: Michael Mizrachi

Quick answer: Michael Mizrachi's name is Michael Mizrachi. Documented screen name or alias: Nickname: "The Grinder"; social handles @TheGrinder44 (X) and @thegrinder44 (Instagram), per PokerNews. American player, 2025 WSOP Main Event champion and Poker Hall of Famer. On the PokerGO Tour (PGT) 2026 leaderboard (updated Nov 4, 2026), Michael Mizrachi ranks #18 with 1,270 PGT points (1 win, 5 cashes, $1,564,661 PGT earnings).

Real name

Michael Mizrachi plays under his real name and is known throughout poker as "The Grinder." PokerNews says the nickname comes from his steady style of grinding through tournament fields. He was born in 1981 in Miami, Florida, and is the younger brother of five-time bracelet winner Robert Mizrachi. PokerNews lists his handles as @TheGrinder44 on X and @thegrinder44 on Instagram.

Screen names

Nickname: "The Grinder"; social handles @TheGrinder44 (X) and @thegrinder44 (Instagram), per PokerNews. Forum guesses aren't included.

Career highlights

• PGT standing (Nov 4, 2026): #18 with 1,270 PGT points (1 win, 5 cashes, $1,564,661 PGT earnings). Championship eligibility on the PGT page: requirements pending. PGT leaderboard
• The PGT page credits him with winning the 2026 WSOP $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship for $1,350,203 (1,100 PGT points), the core of his 2026 PGT total.
• Won the 2025 WSOP Main Event for $10,000,000 and the 2025 $50,000 Poker Players Championship ($1,331,322) (PGT, PokerNews).
• PokerNews says he holds nine WSOP bracelets and a record four Poker Players Championship titles. He has made two Main Event final tables (2010 and 2025).
• Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2025.

More to know

PokerNews says Mizrachi's mother, Susan Laufer, known as "Momma Grinder," taught the brothers poker as kids. He dropped plans to become a doctor to play full time after early online success. His 2026 WSOP also included 6th in the $10,000 Stud Championship.

About the PGT leaderboard: the PokerGO Tour ranks players on points from qualifying high-stakes events, including PokerGO Studio series and qualifying WSOP events. The top 40 at season's end qualify for the PGT $1,000,000 Championship freeroll, which The Hendon Mob's schedule lists for January 11-12, 2027 in Las Vegas. The PGT page also marks whether each player has met the championship's participation requirements. Rankings can still move before the season closes.