Mike Gorodinsky: From Poker Novice to WSOP Champion

Mike Gorodinsky's journey in poker is nothing short of remarkable. He won the Player of the Year title at the 2015 World Series of Poker (WSOP), a feat that solidified his place in poker history. His 2016 WSOP journey was equally impressive, finishing 87th in the Main Event despite spending much of the series playing mixed games in Bobby's Room at the Bellagio with legends like Doyle Branson, Jennifer Harman, and David Oppenheim.

Gorodinsky's poker journey began after watching ESPN broadcasts during Chris Moneymaker's rise to fame. He started playing poker with friends in high school, and it quickly became a significant part of his life. Before poker, Gorodinsky had a typical teenage life, focusing on school and dreaming of becoming a teacher. Poker, however, changed his path, and he has since dedicated much of his time to the game.

Gorodinsky's philosophy on poker is deeply influenced by his upbringing. His parents, immigrants from the former Soviet Union, moved to Israel in the late 1980s, followed by their family's relocation to the United States. This background has instilled in him a strong work ethic and resilience. Gorodinsky believes in learning from stronger players and often plays in games where his expectation is negative, seeing it as a valuable learning experience. His philosophy is that people should have the right to think and act independently, and he prefers playing high-stakes games where players can afford to lose large sums. Gorodinsky's success in the 2015 WSOP was due to a combination of skill, personal happiness, and favorable card outcomes. For the 2016 WSOP, his plan was to play several initial tournaments and then decide based on his performance.