Michael Mizrachi Offers Advice To October Nine

When it comes to poker pedigree, few players come more highly recommended than 31-year-old Florida native Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi. Currently listed 7th on poker’s ‘All Time Money List’ with $14,069,764 in earnings, Mizrachi also has won three WSOP bracelets over three consecutive years since 2010, his most recent coming at the 2012 WSOP $50k The Poker Player’s Championship for $1,451,527.
In addition, Mizrachi made the 2010 WSOP Main Event Final Table after surviving a 7,319 player field to finish 5th for $2,332,992. Therefore, its fair to say his advice carries a certain amount of gravitas for this year’s finalists known as the October Nine. A few months from now the least the nine players returning to Las Vegas can expect is a payout of $755,000 with a massive $8,527,982 going to the eventual winner.
So what is the advice the seasoned pro would like to impart to this year’s finalists? Quite simply, talking to the Wall Street Journal, Mizrachi offered  the following suggestion:
“The best advice I’ve gotten from all the big time players and all the players who just know how to manage their money is just stick to what you’re good at.”
Although a straightforward message, it’s also a lesson Mizrachi learnt the hard way having seen his non-poker related investments plummet in 2005 after the real estate crash. Now the two times WPT champion says he reinvests in poker because its what he understands best and gives him his best shot for generating money.
Another piece of advice Mizrachi was keen to convey to the October Nine was to play poker games they are comfortable with and not play above their bankrolls. As he explains: “You should always have limitations and be comfortable with what you can afford. I always put myself in that situation where I’m comfortable in the game.”
The final piece of advice “The Grinder” gives is for the poker players to stay away from non-poker related casino gambling. Mizrachi even confesses to having the urge to wager money on something besides poker, but has been helped in that regard by his wife, Aidiliy.
“Sometimes you just want to play [something besides poker]..nothing crazy..She just wants me to avoid the sports [betting], the baccarat, the roulette and all those other things and just stick to what I’m good at — poker.”