Michael The Grinder Mizrachi Talks Poker With Woo

Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi sat down with Jenny to do a last minute interview.  The interview itself was short, sweet, and somewhat simple - but we discussed everything from his plans on playing in the Aussie Millions Poker Championship to his life growing up with poker on his mind.

JENNY:  There were some mixed feelings on the WSOP being pushed back in 2008 - what's your take on the change?

THE GRINDER:  I thought it would be a great idea to help with endorsements, sponsors, and stuff like that.  Actually, my best friend David "Chino" Rheem made the final table and it really didn't do much so I don't think there would be a point of it for next year.

JENNY:  So in your opinion it's a no go for next year.

THE GRINDER:  Yeah.

JENNY:  What do you think you'd be doing today had it not been for poker?

THE GRINDER:  I wouldn't even know (haha) because I've always been playing poker.  But I had wanted to be a doctor.  When I was younger my mom was going through nursing school.  I was going through her book for class and thought everything was interesting.  But then I figured it wouldn't be for me because I was always a gambler.

JENNY:  Speaking of your mom - Is it true that you and your brothers learned about poker from your mom?

THE GRINDER:  I wouldn't say that but when I was 13 or 14 years old she would play cards, like rummy and stuff like that, with her friends.  I would always want to go watch her play.  So I would stand behind her car and not let her out unless I went with her.  I would trap her at home until she would let me go with her.  It took a few tries but in the end I love cards, I love to gamble, I love to be up the late night hours.  That was more my thing.

JENNY:  Well do you think she ever foresaw three of her sons making their profession in the poker world?

THE GRINDER:  My mom wanted us to do whatever made us happy.  Ultimately, my father at first didn't want it for us; he was against it but now he's totally for it.  He asks us everyday, "Where are you?  How are you doing?"  Things like that.  Now my dad starts playing.  He's been playing online poker here and there.  Actually, he's done very well.  And my mom plays every single day.

JENNY:  Really?

THE GRINDER:  I think she plays more then we do.

JENNY:  That's awesome.

JENNY:  What do you think she'd prefer - Mizrachi M.D or The Grinder?

THE GRINDER:  I don't know.  Whatever would make her happy.  My children even call me "The Grinder" (haha).  I've had a lot of success in poker.

JENNY:  Moving onto your children - Do you see a future poker star in any of them?

THE GRINDER:  Maybe my youngest.  Not my oldest one - he doesn't like poker too much because I'll always play and he'll be like, "Abba, Abba lets go."  Abba means father.  He just gets tired of me being in casinos.   There's a chance that he'll be a poker player.  You never know.  It does run in the family.

JENNY:  Your wife has been in the poker scene as well.  How has she been doing out there as I'm sure she's kept pretty busy with your kids?

THE GRINDER:  She plays here and there.  She plays online when she gets the chance.  Right now she's in Miami and I'm in Vegas.  She's got three kids now.  But yeah she'll play here and there in cash games, nothing too big.  She plays more for entertainment, to make money but more for entertainment.

JENNY:  What online rooms are your favorite?

Pokerstars mainly.  I don't play many tournaments online.  I usually prefer Pokerstars.  But for tournaments and cash games I would say FullTilt. 

JENNY:  I'm sure there are plenty of people including players out there that look up to you - but who was it (if anyone) that you looked up to when you began your path in the pro poker circuit?  And whom do you admire today?

THE GRINDER:  I was always looking up to my brother.  There was nobody I really looked up to but I admired a lot of them and their game.  I felt like that I was always there with them and I had a lot of talent.  I always liked guys like Scotty Nguyen when I was younger, and guys like Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan. 

JENNY:  What's next for you in the poker circuit - charity and tournaments?

THE GRINDER:  Actually I'm going to be going to the Aussie Millions (http://www.aussiemillions.com/).  I should be there in about a week on the 15th.  I'm supposed to be in the Bahamas but canceled and decided not to go. 

JENNY:  I know that you've done some charity in the past - correct?

THE GRINDER:  The last charity event I was at was the PCA (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) thing for Jennifer Harman.  If somebody does a charity event and asks me to come - I'll be there.

JENNY:  Have you had any down time to hang and chill here in sunny Miami?

THE GRINDER:  Hopefully after Australia on the 25th.  I have to fly back to L.A. around the 10th of February.  And then hopefully back to Miami to cruise on the boat and go fishing.

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Jenny Woo, Gambling911.com