As we close in on the 2006 World Series of Poker (WSOP), the main story and concern for all other players involved is the continued dominance of Michael �The Grinder' Mizrachi. Mizrachi has had an amazing 2006 so far, and has blown away the competition repeatedly in the race for the Poker Player of the Year award.

Mizrachi is one of the youngest players on the Poker scene at just 25, and made his name by playing online. He started playing online to emulate his older brother Robert Mizrachi, who is currently ranked 12th in the 2006 Poker Player of the Year. He progressed quickly online, which has helped him to improve his offline game. His first big successes came last year when he got to final table in two consecutive World Poker Tour events. He finished 5th in the World Poker Open and then just a month later he won the LA Poker classic. However, this year he has stepped up a level and has proved himself to be one of the best players in the world. He is almost out of sight in the Poker Player of the Year standings, some 1,700 points ahead of his nearest rival Kenna James. The Grinder has been so consistent in every aspect of the game in 2006, having made six final tables and cashed in eight events.

As well as his big tournament success, perhaps the biggest reason for his dominance this year is his overwhelming passion to win both in big and small events. Unlike many of the other best players in the world, Mizrachi plays smaller less profitable tournaments. This has helped him to pull away from the field, and was in evidence at the recent WPT Mandalay Bay Poker Championship, where he finished 13th out of 202 competitors in the $1,500 event. This desire to win makes him a big threat coming into the WSOP.
Despite his dominance so far, there is a long way to go in the 2006 Poker Player of the Year race, and Mizrachi will have to keep up his impressive form to hold onto his lead. As well as second placed Kenna James, there has been a surge up the table from Huntingdon Beach professional Nam Le. Nam collected three cashes and two final tables in May, and has moved up to fourth place, some 2000 points behind Mizrachi. If Nam continues this form then Mizrachi will need to watch out.

Another contender is third placed Joe Bartholdi, who is the current World Poker Tour champion, as well as Michael's brother Robert who has recently surged up the table to 12th.
With only a few events remaining in the World Poke Tour schedule, it looks likely that Michael Mizrachi will go into the WSOP as the leader in the Player of the Year race. However, the overall title will surely be decided by whoever comes out on top during the 6-week event. If the Grinder maintains his form throughout the next few months, then 2006 really could be the year of Mizrachi.