Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Poker Player goes broke

Five years ago, Michael Mizrachi was at the top of the poker world.  He had won millions of dollars and several prestigious poker titles.   Fast forward to today, and Mizrachi, known as “the Grinder” in the poker world, is practically busted.

An article in the Florida Sun Sentinel says that Mizrachi owes roughly $340,000 in unpaid taxes to the IRS and is facing foreclosure on his home.

Despite winning nearly $7,000,000 in his tournament poker career, Mizrachi has managed to lose his Florida condo jointly owned by his brother. It was foreclosed on and sold at auction.  His main residence in Miramar, FL has also been foreclosed on and will be going to auction later this month.

Yet another cautionary tale of a poker player that has zero regard for variance, bankroll management, or his own ego.  Four or five tournaments does not make a poker career.  Only the best know how to manage downswings, which hits anyone who gambles, whether that gambling is in the stock market, real estate, sports betting, or poker.

What struck me to be most odd is how in light of all his inability to manage his money, he manages to blame his CPA for his own failures.  Many athletes who spend more than they make also blame their accountants.  Our country is wrought with people who make large sums of money, then blow it all, and yet refuse to take any accountability of their own mistakes.

I can honestly say I’m not hoping he makes a poker resurgence.  He should get a regular job, understand what it means to make a real living, and pay his freak in’ taxes.

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