The World Series is renowned for its fairy tale endings, but rarely do they occur in a $50,000 event, and you certainly wouldn't expect an established pro to be playing the starring role. But, when Michael Mizrachi defeated unknown Russian Vladmir Schemelev late last night in the $50,000 Mixed Games event, that's exactly what happened: a man who once held the title of CardPlayer Player of the Year had won the tournament of his life.
The event was officially named the 'Poker Player's Championship' and was essentially a replacement for last year's H.O.R.S.E. event with the format extended to eight games: Triple-Draw Deuces to Seven Lowball, Limit Hold'em, Omaha High-Low, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, Seven-Card Stud High-Low, Pot Limit Omaha and No Limit Hold'em - a combination that, despite constant bashings into the anagram generator, produced no such bestial acronym.
To most, this was the true start of the 2010 World Series, and to kick us off, Tournament Director Jack Effel was joined on stage by defending champion David Bach, and then Doyle Brunson who announced 'Shuffle up and deal'. But prior to those immortal words, participants were played a video clip celebrating the memory of inaugural champion Chip Reese. As Doyle proclaimed him the "best all-round player that ever lived", Jennifer Harman shed a tear and wallowed in his absence. With 54 bracelet winners and 123 bracelets (of which make up 15 percent of all bracelet winners since 1970) in the 116 thick field, if ever there were a tournament you could be proud of winning, it was this one.
But although it's high on every pro's hit list, the event doesn't come without controversy. Despite the tournament being eight-game and intended to test the skill range of its participants, the final table would revert exclusively to No Limit Hold'em, as it did when Reese triumphed in '06. With TV exposure such a commodity for sponsored pros, many of whom can't afford to be shelling out $50,000 off their own back, they had little choice but to conform to this change and keep their complaints to themselves. With the dramatically reduced ESPN schedule, what choice did they have?
I have always found this stipulation a ridiculous, yet unnerving reminder of the power of the dollar. Can you imagine playing the $1,000 donakment only to find it's Five-Card Draw on the final, or the November Nine switching to Uno for the Main Event. Why don't they change the Ante Up for Africa event to Strip Poker? After all, it would attract more viewers. The truth is that, even in the world of poker, corporoate America is an overwhelming factor. Players could vote with their feet, but they'd be shooting them at the same time.
Nevertheless, the event remained a spectacle, and when we neared the final table, it was clear that there would be at least one story for Harrah's to feast on. With just eight players remaining, there were still two Mizrachis left, Robert joining his younger sibling to become the first brothers to reach a WSOP final table since Barny and Ross in 2002. "There's no competition between us, we root for each other all the time." claimed The Grinder, and when he knocked out Robert in fifth place, he proved that there was no collusion either.
It's amazing what a few cameras and a couple of Mizrachis can do. Unlike other finals (including last year), the stage was heaving with fellow pros, salivating backers, random norkage and maybe even the occasional tax man. Many 'names' were seated in the audience just to get their mug on TV, whilst others may have been looking to nip or recall loans. Patrik Antonius, however, was there purely on business, having staked both Mizrachis in the event to produce an enviably handsome payday.
With just two remaining, Mizrachi seemed destined for gold as he found himself all in with Ac-7c versus Ad-Jd, only to river a flush on an ensuing Kc-9c-Td-Qh-5c board. An hour or two later, it was all over, Mizrachi once again granted divine assistance with Qs-5c out-gunning Qd-8s on a 9h-6h-4c-5h-4d board. Somehow, Mizrachi had pulled the rabbit out of the bag and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
"If I was going to win a gold bracelet, I definitely wanted to win this event," commented Mizrachi after the match. "To win Chip Reese's trophy is really special to me. I hope to honour him in the way he deserves."
You may be wondering what makes this a fairytale. Well, a few months back, it was well documented that despite being a double WPT winner with in excess of 8.5 million dollars in live tournament winnings, Mizrachi was struggling financially and subjected to a tax bill for almost $340,000 for monies earned during the years 2005 to 2007. Mizrachi was effectively in a hole and looking for an escape route.
For us mere mortals, it's hard to swallow, but it offers a stark reminder to some of the game's young hotshots with a lax attitude towards money, that it may not be there forever, and that once the results dry up and the bills start adding up, you could find yourself in a similar hole. Mizrachi showcased a grit determination like none other, and clearly has the capabilities and poker know how to dig himself out, but others won't be so lucky. Now married with three children, 29-year old Mizrachi has surely learned a valuable lesson, and one that he won't forget in a hurry: poker's great until you're broke, and then it's just stressful.
1st Michael Mizrachi -- $1,559,046
2nd Vladimir Schemelev -- $963,375
3rd David Oppenheim -- $603,348
4th John Juanda -- $436,865
5th Robert Mizrachi -- $341,429
6th David Baker -- $272,275
7th Daniel Alaei -- $221,105
8th Mikael Thuritz -- $182,463
Previous Bulletins:
Employee of the Month
No comments:
Post a Comment