The Grinder and The Master Prove They’ve Still Got It 

This year’s edition of poker’s biggest festival, the World Series of Poker, is only a few events old as I write this, but already two big-name pros have made their mark – Michael Mizrachi and Men Nguyen. Or, as they are known in the poker world – The Grinder and The Master. Both men have amazing stories.

Nguyen fled Vietnam on a boat at the end of the Vietnam War, and eventually found asylum in the U.S. One day he discovered seven-card stud, discovered he could win at it, and in 1987 turned pro. Today at age 56 he has 59 titles and more than 300 tournament cashes worth more than 8 million bucks. He’s been Player of the Year four times, and his WSOP performances are equally impressive. His most recent bracelet (in the $10k Stud World Championship) is his seventh and was his 67^th WSOP cash – second only to Phil Hellmuth. His bracelets have come in a variety of disciplines: stud, stud/8, Omaha/8, triple draw, and limit hold’em. He won his first WSOP title 18 years ago, so he has definitely stood the test of time.

“Every time I make a speech or get into an interview, I want to thank the United States of America for giving me this chance,” he said after the smoke cleared. “This is very, very big for me. The last two bracelets I won were in 2003, and now it’s 2010. I have not won any bracelets because a lot of people have come into our poker world. I haven’t won because it’s kind of hard now. It’s hard to break through.”

He has had a ton of success at hold’em, but his affection for the game that gave him his start shines through: “This is my game – I love to play stud. Believe me, in any stud tournament I will be there to play against the best in the world.” His victory meant he is tied with Artie Cobb for most stud titles: “Artie Cobb was a very good stud player – one of the very best. But I want to mention one of my friends who passed away – Kenny Flaton. Kenny was one of my best friends. He was one of the very best in stud. We both played many, many years. I mention him because he (belongs) with Artie Cobb. This is for you, Kenny.”

Check out our story on The Grinder on pages 46-49. His story is equally compelling. Michael started as a dealer in South Florida, won millions of dollars at a very young age, but only a month ago banks were foreclosing on his homes. He had won just $7,465 in 2010 and rumors were swirling that he was broke. But reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated. This 29-year-old has not flamed out young, and his victory in what many consider the toughest event of the year – the $50,000 Players Championship – proves it. He’s closing in on 100 cashes and is 14^th on the money list all-time. When asked about the “list” of best players who have never won a bracelet, Michael replied: “I guess you can take me off the list.” It looks like Mizrachi (like Nguyen) will be a major factor in big events for a long time to come.

Watch this and future issues for results of all World Series events.