Sometimes the poker world plays tricks on you. Honestly, if you were scrolling through results during the 2025 summer season, you probably did a double-take. There it was: Michael Mizrahi winning a trophy at the Wynn Las Vegas.
Naturally, everyone assumed it was "The Grinder." You know, the guy who has basically owned the $50,000 Poker Players Championship for over a decade. But this wasn't Michael Mizrachi with a 'C'. It was Michael Mizrahi, a player from Montenegro who decided to stage his own takeover while the rest of the world was staring at the Rio—well, the Horseshoe and Paris now.
It was a wild moment for the "other" Michael. While the legendary Grinder was busy navigating the deepest waters of the WSOP Main Event, this Mizrahi was busy carving out a name for himself across the street.
What Actually Happened at the Wynn?
Basically, while the 2025 WSOP was hitting its fever pitch, the Wynn Summer Classic was running its own massive schedule. These tournaments are famous for smashing guarantees. On a Sunday night in mid-July, Michael Mizrahi sat down for a $600 No-Limit Hold'em event.
It wasn't a million-dollar high roller. It was a $50,000 guaranteed "daily" style tournament that, predictably, blew past its own expectations. 137 entries created a prize pool of over $70,000.
Mizrahi didn't just play; he steamrolled. He ended up facing off against Rodrigo Cella in a heads-up battle that felt like it belonged on a much bigger stage. When the dust settled, the Montenegro native walked away with $19,049 and his first major recorded live win.
For most people, that's a great summer. For someone sharing a name with a Poker Hall of Famer (who, by the way, was officially inducted in 2025), it was a bit of a "Spider-Man pointing at Spider-Man" meme come to life.
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The Tale of Two Michaels: Clearning Up the Confusion
Let's look at the numbers. They tell two very different stories, yet they both peaked in the same city at the exact same time. It’s kinda poetic, in a weird, gambling-math sort of way.
The "Grinder" Michael Mizrachi was having a year for the history books.
- He won his fourth $50,000 Poker Players Championship (PPC) in June 2025, taking home $1,331,322.
- He then went on to win the actual WSOP Main Event in July, pocketing a cool $10,000,000.
- He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame during that same series.
Then you have Michael Mizrahi. Before this Wynn win, he had about $7,000 in total cashes. He’s a guy who plays the circuits in Bulgaria and Montenegro. He isn't a high-stakes regular. He’s a grinder in the literal sense—working the mid-stakes, looking for that one breakout score.
And he found it. That $19,049 win at the Wynn might be a rounding error for the other guy, but for this Mizrahi, it was a career-defining moment. It proves that the Wynn remains the place where anyone can show up and take down a title, even if they're constantly being asked for an autograph meant for someone else.
Why the Wynn Summer Classic Still Matters
If you're into poker, you've probably noticed that the Wynn has become the "second home" for pros and amateurs alike. Their structures are generally better than the ones you'll find at the WSOP for the same price point.
When Michael Mizrahi took down that $600 event, he was playing against a field of 137 people who were likely exhausted from the WSOP grind. That’s a huge edge. The Wynn environment is a bit more relaxed—there's more legroom, better food, and honestly, the lighting doesn't make you feel like you've been trapped in a basement for three days.
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The Strategy Behind the Win
You can't win a 137-person field just by being lucky, though a little luck helps. Mizrahi’s run was characterized by a very "un-Grinder-like" patience. While the American Mizrachi is known for high-variance, hyper-aggressive plays that either end in a massive stack or a quick exit, Mizrahi played a very disciplined, European-style game.
He focused on small-ball poker until the final table. Once he got there, he shifted gears. He used the "name recognition" to his advantage—whether he meant to or not. Imagine being at a final table and seeing "Michael Mizrahi" on the chip count sheet. You’re going to give that guy a little more respect than a random tourist from Iowa.
The "Double-Dipping" Phenomenon in Las Vegas
It’s worth mentioning that "multi-tabling" between different casinos is a real thing. Earlier in the 2025 summer, Alex Foxen actually cashed in two different tournaments at two different casinos at the same time.
Because the Wynn is just a short Uber ride from the Horseshoe, players often register for a morning event at one and a night event at the other. When news broke that "Michael Mizrahi" won at the Wynn, half the poker forums thought the Grinder had pulled a Foxen.
"How is he at the Main Event final table and winning the Wynn $600?" was a legitimate question being asked on Twitter (X). The reality—that it was just a guy with a nearly identical name—is almost better. It’s one of those rare Vegas coincidences that keeps the legend of the city alive.
What's Next for the "Other" Michael?
Winning at the Wynn is often a springboard. For Michael Mizrahi, this win was more than just a paycheck; it was validation. Since that July 2025 victory, he’s been spotted playing more frequently in US-based events, including a 7th place finish at a Venetian UltimateStack and a deep run in the Wynn Fall Classic.
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He’s currently ranked 26th on the Montenegro All-Time Money List. That might not sound like much compared to the $29 million the American Mizrachi has, but in the world of mid-stakes poker, it’s a solid foundation.
Lessons from the Wynn Win
If you’re looking to replicate a run like this, there are a few things you can actually learn from Mizrahi’s performance.
- Don't ignore the side series. Everyone wants the gold bracelet, but the value is often found at the Wynn, the Venetian, or the Aria during the summer. The fields are smaller and the ROI (Return on Investment) can be much higher.
- Use your "image" to your advantage. Whether you're a known pro or just a guy with a famous name, people will play differently against you. If they think you're a "pro," they might fold more. If they think you're a "whale," they'll call you down light. Learn to identify how the table sees you.
- Patience is a weapon. In a $600 daily, people tend to play very fast because they want to go get dinner or hit the clubs. If you can stay disciplined for 10 hours, you will naturally rise to the top as the "punters" eliminate themselves.
Michael Mizrahi’s Wynn tournament win serves as a reminder that poker is a global game. You don't have to be a household name to have a "legendary" summer. You just have to be in the right seat, at the right time, with the right amount of aggression.
And maybe a name that makes the floor staff do a double-take doesn't hurt either.
Next Steps for Your Own Poker Journey:
- Check the current Wynn Poker Room schedule to find high-value daily tournaments that fit your bankroll.
- Study small-ball poker tactics to navigate large-field, mid-stakes tournaments without risking your entire stack on a coinflip.
- Monitor the Hendon Mob profiles for both Michael Mizrachi and Michael Mizrahi to see if their paths cross again in the 2026 season.