Reigning Champ's Son Paul Mizrachi Bags a Big Stack in WSOP Main Event

The 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event is witnessing the emergence of a new force from a legendary poker lineage. Paul Mizrachi, the 21-year-old son of reigning Main Event champion Michael Mizrachi, has made a significant splash in his debut $10,000 Main Event, bagging an impressive 197,200 chips at the close of Day 1d. This formidable stack, more than three times the starting amount, firmly positions him for a deep run, echoing his father's recent triumph.

Paul's journey into the high-stakes poker world began just last winter at the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event. That initial foray proved brief and unsuccessful, leading to understandable pre-tournament jitters for his first Main Event. "After playing the Super Main Event in the Bahamas I busted after two hours, so I came into this kind of nervous, worried that it would happen all over again," Mizrachi confessed to *PokerNews*.

However, any lingering anxieties quickly dissipated as Day 1d unfolded. Paul found himself seated at a challenging table, flanked by seasoned professionals such as high-stakes French pro Johan Guilbert to his right, and American pro Kristopher Burchfield a few seats to his left. The lineup also included Lithuania's Kasparas Klezys and American Charles Furey, both boasting live earnings well into seven figures. Yet, the young Mizrachi not only held his own but thrived, systematically building his stack throughout the day.

Reflecting on his performance, Mizrachi expressed a mix of surprise and satisfaction. "That was pretty awesome," he remarked after securing his chips for the night. "I played better than I expected." His grind was not lost on his tablemates; as he humbly questioned his play, asking, "Did I get lucky today?" Kristopher Burchfield was quick to offer a concise and telling assessment: "You grinded your ass off."

Indeed, the "grind" paid off, as Paul emerged from Day 1d not just with a healthy stack, but as the top-performing Mizrachi in the field. The Mizrachi clan, a veritable dynasty in poker, was well-represented, with uncles Eric, Daniel, and Robert, along with grandfather Ezra, all taking their shot. Yet, it was Paul who boasted the most chips. "I have more chips than all the other Mizrachis combined!" he proudly declared to *PokerNews* during the final level of play.

His day wasn't without its early drama. Paul recounted a pivotal moment just ten minutes into Level 1, involving a "huge, huge pot." While he admitted to potentially making a mistake, the hand ultimately resulted in a chopped pot. This early skirmish, surprisingly, served as a catalyst. "And it kind of just took every single nerve out of my body," he explained. "Because after that it felt like I was freerolling.” This newfound calm allowed him to navigate the remainder of the day with confidence.

For Paul, even a minimum cash in this event would mark a career high, significantly adding to his current live earnings of $4,941. The prospect of bringing another bracelet to the family this summer is also a powerful motivator, especially after his father, Michael, recently clinched the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship for a staggering $1.3 million and his ninth career bracelet just a week prior.

While Paul soared, his uncles Eric, Daniel, and Robert bagged middling stacks on Day 1d. Grandfather Ezra, unfortunately, was eliminated during the final level. Michael Mizrachi, the reigning champion, had already secured his passage to Day 2 with a slightly above-starting stack from the Day 1b flight. With 3,638 players bagging chips on Day 1d alone, the 2026 WSOP Main Event promises to be a thrilling spectacle, and all eyes will be on Paul Mizrachi as he continues his quest to carve his own legacy in the poker world.