David Tuchman kicked off another episode of 888Ride by highlighting what 'The Grinder' has accomplished: four titles from the 50k Poker Players Championship, the coveted WSOP Main Event bracelet, tens of thousands of fans worldwide, and a fresh induction into the Poker Hall of Fame. Yet in the car, Mizrachi isn't just talking numbers — he delves into family, discipline, the gambling spirit that made him a fearless player, and why being a good person is more important to him than merely being a table legend.
From Miami to Immortality
Mizrachi grew up in North Miami surrounded by three brothers and his mom, who the poker world knows as 'Mama Grinder.' He recalls the endless sibling rivalry and how practically the entire family ended up in the gambling world — from Robert through Don to his own sons. He taught himself poker without solvers or training videos, claiming never to have read a poker book but instead watching hours of TV broadcasts and YouTube to craft his own hard-to-read style.
Looking at his 'self-made' results, applause is warranted: he won the 50k Poker Players Championship four times, finished fourth once, and was once right at the bubble, all in about eleven to twelve attempts. Michael explains that he delivers his best performances against the world's top players, as proven multiple times in this most demanding tournament. The viewer attention, TV cameras, and intense pressure help more than hinder him. He relies on 'instinct and reading opponents' souls' instead of learned GTO theory and humorously notes that most people simply don’t want to sit with The Grinder at the table.
Poker Must Be Fun
Throughout the interview, Mizrachi emphasizes that whether he's sitting with recreational players, top regulars, or high roller stars, his goal is for everyone to have a good experience. He detests needless tanking, hoodie over the head, and dark glasses that make poker a sterile math discipline devoid of emotions. He plays fast, many hands, and isn't afraid to apply pressure in spots where most players would passively check the pot. “I want poker to be fun; that's why we all came to the table,” he says, reminding us why he’s often called the 'savior of fun poker.'
Mizrachi moves between Las Vegas, Florida, and tournaments worldwide — from Cyprus and Israel to upcoming European stops like Marbella, Scandinavia, and Estonian events. While competing in tournaments, he plays a lot of cash games, favoring PLO and mixed games, and openly insists that a professional should master all games to always sit where the biggest 'whales' are. This is also why he understands why the 50k Players Championship is considered by many to be the most prestigious tournament globally — and why some regard his four victories as 'the greatest achievement in gambling history.'
Family, Health, and Boxing Gloves
Although having the WSOP Main Event champion title, Hall of Fame status, and nearly $30 million in tournament winnings might seem like a dream come true, Mizrachi appears surprisingly down-to-earth on 888Ride. He dedicates much of the interview to family — three sons and a daughter — who are growing up and gradually deciding whether to follow his footsteps. His eldest, Paul, has tasted major live tournaments and, according to his father, has 'poker in his blood,' while younger Joseph is reportedly most like Michael — slightly wild, full of energy, and ready for fun. His daughter Julie added new dynamics to the all-boy family and made Michael a proud 'girl dad.'
While discussing his son who left long 17-hour shifts on a boat after his father's win to 'ride dad's bankroll,' a serious topic arises — health. Mizrachi openly shares how he quit vaping, cut back on alcohol, and placed a six-figure prop bet with friend Chino Rheem to stay off smoking, drinking, and drugs. He started going to a boxing gym, trains with his son, and stresses that his priority is now clear: “If you don't have health at the poker table, you have nothing — health is more important to me than the game itself.”
“Play Like You're the Wealthiest Person in the World”
The episode's most poignant moments come when discussing risk and fear of loss. Mizrachi admits he's lost significant money in the past — whether in baccarat or the real estate market crash in 2007. Rather than regret, he sees it as a lesson in playing fearlessly: “In my opinion, the best poker players are those who have a streak of a gambler and aren't afraid to lose. You must play as if you’re the wealthiest person in the world.”
Another strong takeaway from the car is his view on the image of a crazy aggro player. Grinder admits that in his youth, he bluffed too much, but today he uses his image differently — deliberately bluffing less, letting opponents 'hero-call' where he genuinely has strong hands, and benefitting from the chaos he creates around himself. All this is combined with humanity: he never refuses a photo, tries to entertain everyone at the table, and if you don’t see his smile during the game, you'll surely see it after he leaves the table.
Four Bracelets in 2026 and Things More Important Than Poker
Even though most players would 'put their feet up on the table' after such a year, Michael Mizrachi is already sketching out future goals. With a smile, he tells Tuckman his bold plan for 2026 — winning four WSOP bracelets, perhaps a major European title like EPT, and even more mixed-game successes. In all this, he reiterates that the most important thing is to stay grounded, be a good father and partner, and treat others as he wants to be treated.
“I think I've built a legacy in poker — winning the Main Event was confirmation. But the most important thing is to be a good person and do the right things in life,” he says to all who see him today as a symbol of the modern grinder. You can listen to all this and much more in the full 45-minute episode here:
More from 888Ride:
Josh Arieh on 888Ride: Seven Bracelets, a Bruised Ego, and a Comeback That Isn't Over
Joe Cada in 888Ride: People said I was just lucky. But I knew I could play
Matt Berkey: High roller players may be twenty times better than me – but I still earn more
Daniel Negreanu: The more haters I have, the more I realize that I'm somebody
Shaun Deeb: I love calling out cheats and fraudsters; the poker industry needs cleaning up
