Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi delivered one of the most commanding performances in World Series of Poker (WSOP) history, capturing the 2025 Main Event title and securing an unprecedented same-year induction into the Poker Hall of Fame. His Main Event win added $10 million to his bankroll, a victory that followed his earlier Poker Players Championship (PPC) triumph—making him the first player to win both of poker’s most prestigious tournaments in a single summer.

An instant Hall of Fame induction:

Mizrachi’s win came after an explosive start at the final table, where he entered with over 75% of the chips in play. His momentum was unstoppable. On Day One of the final table, he spiked an ace on the river to beat Robert Wasnock’s pocket kings, establishing early dominance. He would later go on to eliminate Kenny Hallaert and Braxton Dunaway in back-to-back hands, setting up a heads-up duel with Wasnock for the title.

Hallaert was first to fall after his ace-queen offsuit was outdrawn by Mizrachi’s king-jack suited when a jack hit the turn. On the very next hand, Dunaway pushed all-in with ten-six suited but ran into Mizrachi’s ace-ten, which held. The final blow came when Wasnock’s flopped two pair met Mizrachi’s turned flush, ending the match and awarding Mizrachi his ninth WSOP bracelet.

Shortly after the final card was dealt, Mizrachi received a surprise announcement at the feature table inside the Horseshoe Las Vegas Event Center. Surrounded by Poker Hall of Fame members including Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, Brian Rast, and John Hennigan, Mizrachi was informed of his immediate induction as the 65th member of the Hall.

“Mizrachi has completed what might be the most impressive feat in poker history by winning the two most difficult tournaments to win in the same year,” said WSOP CEO Ty Stewart in WSOP’s press release. “Welcome to the Gallery of Champions and welcome to the Poker Hall of Fame.”

The WSOP had just inducted Nick Schulman earlier in the week as the sole honoree for the year. However, Mizrachi’s unparalleled achievement led the organization to break from tradition and name a second inductee for 2025—a move many players and fans had been calling for in real time.

Poker’s most complete player?

Mizrachi’s win in the $50,000 PPC just weeks earlier marked his fourth title in that format—more than any other player. The PPC is widely regarded as the ultimate measure of all-around poker skill, requiring mastery across nine different poker variants. That victory, worth $1.33 million, had already prompted calls for his inclusion in the Hall of Fame.

Mizrachi reflected on his PPC win, stating: “I really felt like it was locked in after the fourth time in the PPC. This is just another level. If it doesn’t happen, it just motivates me even more.”

But it did happen—just hours after lifting the Main Event trophy, Mizrachi was officially welcomed into poker’s most elite circle.

The poker community rallied behind Mizrachi as he approached the final table with a massive chip lead. Legendary pros like Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu publicly voiced their support, with Negreanu saying, “The Grinder should have been in already. The guy’s a legend and an icon. He’s exactly what poker needs. Someone who proves you can have fun, love the game, not take yourself too seriously, and still dominate. And he’s been doing that for decades.”

Mizrachi’s mother, Susan Laufer, echoed the sentiment, “We all were hoping (for) that. Because he won the tournament(s) back-to-back … and I don’t think he got the recognition that he so much deserved until now. He got the recognition and we’re all very proud.”

With this achievement, Mizrachi has not only added millions to his career earnings but also cemented his place as one of the most accomplished and admired players in poker history.