Grinder Signs Endorsement Deal With Absolute Poker

Absolute Poker has signed a consulting agreement June 25 with young poker legend Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi as announced by Poker Royalty. The grinder is poker Royalty's exclusive client. The Grinder is expected to wear Absolute Poker's logo during tournament competitions, make personal appearances and appear on ads promoting Absolute Poker.

The Grinder has only been in the professional circuit for two years but is already ranked as the number one player in the world according to Poker Pages and was also its Player of the Year for 2005. He is also ranked number one player of the year 2006 by Card Player Magazine. At 25, He has earned over $5.2 million during his short career. Michael is the younger brother of Robert Mizrachi who has numerous WSOP and WPT finishes to his own name.

No other player has been as consistent on the tournament circuit like Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi. In January 2005, he finished 5th in the World Poker Tour playing among the likes of Daniel "Kid Poker" Nagreanu and Scotty Nguyen. The following month, he won over $1.8 million on WPT, defeating poker pros Ted Forrest and Erick Lindgren. He finished 11th place in WPT championship that year. In the 2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP), he tied a record by having 7 money finishes.

In the fourth season of WPT he finished 2nd to Scotty Nguyen in the Gold Strike World Poker Open. In the following event, he defeated a final table that included John D'Agostino and Erick Lindgren to win $1,173,373 and a 2006 Cadillac Escalade in his second WPT win. Collectively, he has four World Poker Tour final tables and two WPT wins.

"Over the past few months I've gotten to know the Absolute Poker team and I feel really good about who they are and where the company is going. I love the software and I feel great about the product. I couldn't be happier to join the Absolute Poker team," said Michael Mizrachi.

"This was a no-brainer for Absolute Poker. Not only is he a phenomenal poker player and currently ranked number one in the world, but he is a great guy as well. Michael will make a great ambassador for Absolute Poker," Vice President of Absolute Entertainment, Mark Seif said. "It couldn't have been easier to reach terms with Brian Balsbaugh as he understands the poker business very well," he explained.

"Michael would be a great fit for almost any online poker room and I fielded many calls from interested sites and turned down multiple offers. This took several months because it wasn't just about the money - it was about the right fit. Absolute Poker is a fantastic organization and I predict a very long, mutually beneficial relationship," President & CEO of Poker Royalty said Brian Balsbaugh said.

September 11, 2006
John Tucker