If Michael "the Grinder" Mizrachi were any hotter, L.A. Poker Classic officials would have to drape his seat in asbestos to prevent it from bursting into flames.
In three weeks, Mizrachi made three final tables, propelled himself to the top of the 2006 money list, and is the early leader in Card Player's Player of the Year race with 3,954 points.
He must really like the number nine.
On Jan. 23, he took second at the Gold Strike World Poker Open for $566,352. Nine days later, he won the Borgata Poker Open for $1,173,373.
And nine days after he won at Borgata, he finished second in the $2,500-buy-in event at the L.A. Poker Classic for another $124,402, which brings his money winnings for the year to a staggering $1,864,127.
He's less than a million bucks away from surpassing his winnings from all of last year.
He looks to break his 2005 record of $2,472,439 when he plays in the $10,000 buy-in championship event at the L.A. Poker Classic that starts Thursday, Feb. 16. The tournament is scheduled to end Tuesday, Feb. 21.
His opponents have something else to worry about: Mizrachi is the reigning champion of the L.A. Poker Classic.
Last February, he battled through 537 other players to win the $1,859,909.
Follow all the poker action at CardPlayer.com. Our full multi-media team will be at the Commerce Casino from the first hand to the last hand to provide full coverage of the L.A. Poker Classic, and that includes live streaming video updates, hand and chip updates, live photos and broadcast of its radio show, The Circuit.
The closest player to Mizrachi in the PoY standings is Scotty Nguyen, who has 1,746 points. An Tran is third with 1,700.
Last year, Mizrachi finished fifth in the PoY standings.
The L.A. Poker Classic began Jan. 19, with a $330 no-limit hold'em event. The Classic has one of the most packed schedules of 2006 with 31 events that includes the WPT Invitational and a ladies-only event (Crystal Osgood won the $540 event on Jan. 28).
After the L.A. Poker Classic, CardPlayer.com will head to Bay 101 in San Jose to cover the Bay 101 Shooting Star.
There's a good chance Mizrachi will be a topic of discussion there, especially if he manages to repeat as the L.A. Poker Classic Champion.
