When Michael Mizrachi sat down at the final table of the 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event, he already held one of the most decorated résumés in the game. But no one—perhaps not even “The Grinder” himself—expected what would happen next. In just over an hour of dominant play on the final day, Mizrachi clinched the biggest title in poker, earning a career-defining $10 million and completing what may be the greatest double in WSOP history. Only weeks removed from winning his record fourth Poker Players Championship (PPC), Mizrachi stormed through the Main Event final table and was immediately ushered into the Poker Hall of Fame, in a spontaneous 33-for-33 unanimous vote.
It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. This was the Year of the Grinder.
A Championship Hour to Remember
On Day 9 of the WSOP Main Event, Mizrachi told Jeff Platt that finishing the job would only take “an hour.” True to his word, the final session of play on Day 10 wrapped up in just 65 minutes. In that time, Mizrachi eliminated the last three opponents with the precision and ruthlessness that earned him his nickname.
This victory brought home more than just prize money. It gave Mizrachi his eighth WSOP bracelet, and perhaps more significantly, cemented his place as one of the greatest to ever play the game. Winning both the PPC and the Main Event in the same year is unprecedented, and it’s no exaggeration to say that 2025 belongs to Mizrachi.
“I played my best poker in my life,” said Mizrachi. “I never gave up. It was just fate.”
Poker Hall of Fame: A Battlefield Promotion
Minutes after Mizrachi’s victory, a group of legends walked onto the stage: Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, Brian Rast, Eli Elezra, John Hennigan, and more. In an impromptu and emotional moment, the Hall of Famers declared Mizrachi an inductee—right there on the spot.
“What you’ve done is phenomenal,” Hellmuth said. “This is a battlefield promotion… Winning the Main, the Players Championship, and now, the Hall of Fame.”
Overcome with emotion, Mizrachi reflected on the surreal moment. “I mean, I was thinking next year, but [happening] this year, I can’t explain the feeling. It’s amazing.”
His lifetime tournament earnings now exceed $29.1 million, with this win marking his second career multi-million-dollar payday. Interestingly, his first major breakout was also in 2010, where he finished fifth in the WSOP Main Event and captured his first PPC title—an eerily similar double to this one.
Wasnock’s Grateful Runner-Up Finish
John Wasnock, the 50-year-old investment consultant from North Bend, Washington, finished in second place, earning a life-changing $6 million. Just days ago, his largest recorded live score was a modest $56,330.
On the final day, Wasnock watched from the sidelines as Mizrachi eliminated Kenny Hallaert (4th, $3M) and Braxton Dunaway (3rd, $4M) in back-to-back hands. That alone doubled Wasnock’s guaranteed payout within minutes.
“You ever make $3 million in two minutes?” Wasnock joked to his rail.
He put up a fight in heads-up play, even chipping away at Mizrachi’s lead briefly. But when his two-pair ran into Mizrachi’s straight, and shortly after, a flush ended his tournament, there was little he could do.
“It didn’t fall my way, but I have no regrets,” said Wasnock. “One of the best experiences of my life.”
Grinding the Impossible: Mizrachi’s 10 All-In Wins
Perhaps the most mind-boggling statistic of Mizrachi’s 2025 WSOP Main Event run was his 10 consecutive all-in victories. Starting from near-elimination on Day 8—with just three big blinds—he went 9-for-9 in preflop all-ins before heads-up play.
Two of those wins came by runner-runner flushes. One was a three-outer on the river. According to preflop odds, the chance of winning all nine hands was just 0.275%, or roughly 1 in 364.
“You’ve got to get lucky,” Mizrachi admitted. “It’s hard to win the Main Event. You’ve got to win flips. A lot of flips.”
And win them, he did.
Final Table Carnage: Hallaert and Dunaway Fall Fast
Day 10 kicked off with four players, but the first two hands sealed the fate of Hallaert and Dunaway.
On the very first hand, Kenny Hallaert shoved A♥Q♣, only to run into Mizrachi’s K♦J♦. A jack on the turn gave Mizrachi top pair and sent Hallaert packing in fourth for $3 million.
“There’s relief, disappointment, and happiness,” Hallaert said. “But above all, I’m grateful.”
Moments later, Braxton Dunaway called off with 10♥6♥ against Mizrachi’s A♦10♦. The board brought Mizrachi a nut flush and Dunaway was out in third. For the Texas oilman and bracelet winner, this $4 million score was his second seven-figure payday.
The Final Hand: A Flush for the Title
The final hand saw Wasnock raise with A♠9♦. Mizrachi defended with 10♣3♣ and flopped a flush draw on A♦9♣7♣. The turn? 4♣—flush completed.
Wasnock led, Mizrachi check-raised, and Wasnock moved all-in. Snap-call. The 5♣ river sealed the deal, and Mizrachi was mobbed by his rail as he became the 2025 WSOP Main Event Champion.
Final Table Results – 2025 WSOP Main Event
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Mizrachi | $10,000,000 |
| 2 | John Wasnock | $6,000,000 |
| 3 | Braxton Dunaway | $4,000,000 |
| 4 | Kenny Hallaert | $3,000,000 |
| 5 | Luka Bojovic | $2,400,000 |
| 6 | Adam Hendrix | $1,900,000 |
| 7 | Leo Margets | $1,500,000 |
| 8 | Jarod Minghini | $1,250,000 |
| 9 | Daehyung Lee | $1,000,000 |
Mizrachi also earned 3,300 Card Player POY points and overtook the PokerGO Tour leaderboard with 2,250 points from the PPC and Main Event wins.
Final Thoughts: A Year for the Ages
Michael Mizrachi’s 2025 WSOP run will be remembered for decades. From the depths of a three-blind stack to dominating the final table, from runner-runner miracles to calculated aggression, Mizrachi blended luck, skill, and heart into one unforgettable ride.
Winning the Poker Players Championship is elite. Winning the WSOP Main Event is historic. Winning both in the same year? That’s legendary.
Poker fans worldwide just witnessed one of the greatest feats in the history of the game. The Grinder is now immortal.
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sources: cardplayer