Case Keefer / LAS VEGAS SUN
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.
Final Table Chip Count
- Robert Mizrachi— 3,125,000
- David Baker— 3,095,000
- John Juanda— 2,620,000
- Mikael Thuritz— 2,300,000
- Michael Mizrachi— 2,175,000
- Victor Schmelev— 1,925,000
- Daniel Alaei— 1,705,000
- David Oppenheim— 460,000
Sun Coverage
- Daily ceremonies honor World Series of Poker champions
- For pros, fantasy poker is part of the fun at the World Series of Poker
- Massive field expected for first $1,000 event at World Series of Poker
- World Series of Poker kicks off with prestigious tournament
- Breaking down the World Series of Poker by the numbers
- Joe Cada looking forward to defending title at World Series of Poker
- Poker phenom to make long-awaited appearance at World Series of Poker
- Q and A with poker player Tiffany Michelle
- World Series of Poker to host 'All-Star Game' this summer
- 2009 World Series of Poker
Every year before the start of the World Series of Poker, poker fans and publications make lists and talk about the best players who have never won a bracelet.
Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi is a constant in those discussions. Mizrachi — whose accomplishments include winning Card Player Magazine's Player of the Year award in 2006 and compiling career earnings of more than $7 million — has cashed in 19 World Series events but never won a title.
That could change when he takes 2.1 million chips into the final table of the $50,000 buy-in Poker Player's Championship at 3 p.m. today at the Rio.
"My mindset is totally focused on this tournament," Mizrachi said.
It would be quite the way to break out of his curse, as this championship is the most prestigious among professionals and first place pays $1.56 million.
That's not even the best part. When "The Grinder" takes his seat at the ESPN televised final table, he will be sitting across from his older brother, Robert Mizrachi.
"It's a great thing," Michael Mizrachi said. "I hope we can play heads-up."
Robert Mizrachi will have the chip lead with 3.1 million and will be trying to win his second World Series of Poker bracelet at the eight-handed final table.
As decorated as both of the brothers' careers are, they never have faced off against each other at a major tournament final table. The odds were stacked against the brothers, who originally are from Miami but now split their time between South Florida and Southern Nevada.
One hundred and sixteen of the best poker players in the world bought into the tournament, which features an eight-game mix and runs five days. The Mizrachis outplayed almost all of them Monday and steamrolled into the top 16, the money bubble.
"It's very special," Robert Mizrachi said. "It makes me feel very good that we are both playing well in the same tournament. Things are going our way. We are rocking it."
Michael Mizrachi was involved in the most talked-about hand of the day Monday when he eliminated Las Vegas pro Lyle Berman in 13th place. In a pot-limit Omaha hand, Mizrachi flopped three Aces against Berman's three 6s.
Berman miraculously hit the last 6 in the deck on the turn to improve to four-of-a-kind. But Michael Mizrachi rivered the only card that could save him, the Ace of spades, to make a better four-of-a-kind.
"The Grinder" found most of his success Monday during the rounds of pot-limit Omaha, a game he won't be able to rely on Tuesday. The final table will be fully composed of no-limit hold'em because that's the only way ESPN would agree to air it.
But neither Mizrachi is too worried about it. In fact, they saw the switch to only one game as a positive.
"Me and my brother's edge will be bigger in no-limit," Robert Mizrachi said. "The other players aren't as good at no-limit. I mean, they are amazing players and play mixed games amazingly well but when it comes to no-limit, it's a different game."
The competition will be formidable. John Juanda and Daniel Alaei, two of the most feared pros in the game, enter with 2.6 million and 1.7 million chips, respectively. Two other American pros, David Baker and David Oppenheim, Swedish pro Mikael Thuritz and Russian bank owner Vladimir Schmelev make up the rest of the table.
All eight players are guaranteed $182,463 for making the final table. Second place pays $963,375. If the Mizrachis' dream continues and they face each other heads-up, don't expect either of them to take it easy.
"I guess we are going to have to pound each other," Michael Mizrachi said. "What are you going to do? It's part of the game."
Carnival lasts all year at the Rio. With a float occasionally passing overhead and dropping beads while feathered dancers fire up the gamblers below, the Rio tries to keep its 120,000-square foot casino jumping with excitement. Special Brazilian mixed-drinks are also served throughout the casino. The hotel suites tend to be larger than similar priced rooms on the Strip and many offer excellent views with floor to ceiling windows.
The Rio offers some quality shows like "Penn & Teller" and "Chippendales." Many come to the Rio for the nightlife at the VooDoo Lounge, located on the 51st floor, or McFadden's Irish Pub on the casino level.
Others come for a bit relaxation at the Rio Spa or pool area and still others come to shop at the hotel's 60,000 square feet of shops. In each of these endeavors, the Rio attempts to make the experience a bit more fun and spontaneous.
The Rio also offers guests a variety of dining choices from all-American food at the All-American Bar & Grille to Gaylord India Restaurant for something a little spicier and even Carnival World Buffet for the indecisive.
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