Mizrachi wins WSOP Main Event, while Margets ends three-decade drought for female pros

When the World Series of Poker Main Event wrapped up this week, two poker pros left the final table with career milestones.

On Wednesday night, Michael Mizrachi won it all, capping a tour de force performance at the Las Vegas Horseshoe and Paris. Mizrachi, 44, took home the $10 million grand prize for winning the Main Event. The triumph came weeks after he secured a victory in last month’s WSOP Poker Players Championship.

Mizrachi was joined in the final nine by Leo Margets, who became the first female poker player to reach the final table in 30 years.

Grinding out a win

Nicknamed “The Grinder” for his indefatigable nature at the table, Mizrachi withstood some challenging moments in winning the bracelet.

At one point on Day 8, he saw his chip stack whittled down to only three big blinds. Dominated by an opponent’s Ace-7, Mizrachi entered the hand as a heavy underdog. But Mizrachi hit runner-runner for a flush to capture the hand. Still, with less than 8 million in chips in his stack, the Florida poker pro stood near the bottom of the 24 remaining players.

Soon after, he again caught runner-runner, as his king-high flush beat a pair of 5’s. Slowly gaining momentum, Mizrachi increased his chip stack to around 16 million.

By the final day, Mizrachi took a commanding lead into the last session, entering with approximately 75% of the remaining chips. He quickly dismissed Kenny Hallaert and third-place finisher Braxton Dunaway, leading to a heads-up showdown with John Wasnock.

This time, Mizrachi’s flush held up against Wasnock’s two-pair for the victory. With eight WSOP bracelets and two World Poker Tour titles, Mizrachi has emerged as one of the game’s most decorated players.

He also might be the most accomplished player to win the main event since Chris “Jesus” Ferguson in 2020. In that Covid year, Ferguson outlasted 511 opponents to capture the bracelet. By comparison, Mizrachi prevailed in a field of 9,735 at this year’s main event.

First female at final table since 1995

Before Mizrachi’s win, Leo Margets chased an unprecedented feat. The 30-year-old from Spain attempted to become the first female champion in WSOP Main Event history.

Margets advanced all the way to the final table before bowing out in seventh place. She is the first female to make the final table since Barbara Enright 30 years ago.

On the decisive hand, Margets hit an Ace on the turn for top pair. However, she saw her dreams shattered when a river spade completed Hallaert’s flush.

Margets earned plaudits for her gracious response in defeat.

“Leo is an inspiration for not only female poker players, but every poker player around the world. This performance was nothing short of historic, and we wish her many more deep runs,” WSOP CEO Ty Stewart said in a statement.

“It won’t be 30 more years until another woman reaches the Main Event Final Table and Leo is a big reason why. The WSOP thanks her for the humility and grace she displayed in competition down to the very last card.”

Mizrachi, meanwhile, is the first player to double with wins in the Main Event and the Players Championship in the same year. For the victories, Mizrachi immediately received inclusion into the Poker Hall of Fame, as his peers fast-tracked an induction initially planned for 2026.

“Mizrachi has completed what might be the most impressive feat in poker history by winning the two most difficult tournaments to win in the same year,” Stewart added.

 Leo Margets did not outlast Michael Mizrachi in Vegas but she became the first female to reach the final table since 1995.