Michael Mizrachi “The Grinder” Among Chip Leaders With 85 Players Remaining

July 15th, 2010

Money Bubble Burst, Chan Falls, and Michael Mizrachi Grinding Among Chip Leaders

Michael Mizrachi when he had 6 million

The action has been intense at the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event. After four Day 1’s, there were over 4,500 players still alive and hoping to make their way through the field into the money. Daniel Negreanu, Johnny Chan, Scotty Nguyen, Michael Mizrachi, Robert Mizrachi, and many other big names were still in the hunt.

Day 2 was split up over two days as the field was narrowed down to around 2,560 players. Phil Ivey busted out on Day 3 as did both Todd and Doyle Brunson. Several big name female players made it to Day 3, including Barbara Enright, Vanessa Rousso, Vanessa Selbst, Lauren Kling, and Amanda Baker. However, the big story remained Johnny Chan who was solidly in the top ten in chips after Day 2.

Day 3 saw the field cut down by half to around 1,200 players. Vanessa Rousso, Maria Ho, and Lacey Jones were the big name ladies knocked out. 2009 Main Event Champion Joe Cada also fell on Day 3. Daniel Negreanu ended his WSOP on a sour note, being knocked out on Day 3 as well.

Johnny Chan finished Day 3 9th in chips, but the big story brewing was the fact all of the Mizrachi brothers were still alive in the Main Event. Robert, Danny, Eric, and Michael all still had reasonable stacks and were looking to make the money in this event.

It wasn’t until Day 4 that the money was reached. Big names busting out shy of the money were Kathy Liebert, Dan Harrington, Barry Greenstein, Matt Savage, and Annie Duke. The bubble boy for the 2010 WSOP Main Event was Tim McDonald. He had pocket queens cracked when Ismail Erkenov flopped a full house holding A-2. McDonald received a free entry into next year’s WSOP Main Event for finishing the bubble boy, and the remaining 747 players made the money.

All four Mizrachi brothers cashed with Eric Mizrachi busting in 718th place. Frank Kassela were among the players that busted out during Day 4. Kassela secured at least a tie for the WSOP Player of the Year. Michael Mizrachi can tie if he wins the Main Event.

Tony Dunst was the chip leader at the end of Day 4 with 1.546 Million in chips. Chan was 13th in chips with 1.159 Million. 574 players advanced to Day 5 play.

The big question on Day 5 was whether more Mizrachi brothers or more women would survive. Around 10 women started the day, but pretty soon we were left with just a single woman in the field. Breeze Zuckerman was the last woman standing in the 2010 Main Event. Danny Mizrachi busted out on Day 5, but both Michael and Robert Mizrachi advanced to Day 6. Michael finished the day with 1.79 Million in chips, good for the top 20. Robert finished well under average at 270,000.

The field for Day 5 was cut from 574 to just 206 players. Johnny Chan finished the day 10th in chips and the top 10 also included Alexander Kostritsyn. Johnny Lodden, Phil Galfond, and Scott Clements were all still alive as well.

Day 6 is currently underway. Unfortunately, Johnny Chan ran pocket kings into aces to cripple his stack and then he was knocked out in 156th. Phil Galfond also busted in 141st. Michael Mizrachi is the last Mizrachi brother standing as Robert busted out in 116th. At present 85 players remain with Theo Jorgensen leading 7.98 Million and Mizrachi in 7th with 5.45 Million.

There is still a little more than two days before we reach the November Nine. Stay tuned as we bring you all of the action.