Mike Gorodinsky
Mike Gorodinsky is an American poker player who currently calls San Diego, California his home. He has won three World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, including the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship in 2015. In that same year, he also won the WSOP Player of the Year award. His total live earnings amount to $4,350,352, with his best live cash being $1,270,086.
Mike Gorodinsky: Early Life
Gorodinsky was born in St Petersburg, Russia, and lived there until the age of 5. His family briefly moved to Israel for a year before permanently settling in St. Louis, Missouri. His father, a physicist, was offered a job at St. Louis University, prompting the move to America. Mike’s mother, originally from Ukraine, worked as a gynecologist,
Gorodinsky developed an interest in poker at the age of 18 after watching Chris Moneymaker‘s victory on ESPN. While attending Washington University in St. Louis, he initially played poker casually online and with dorm friends. Although he didn’t immediately take poker seriously during university, by his later years, he began dedicating more time to improving his game.
He graduated from Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis in 2009 with a degree in Psychology.
Ben Gorodinsky: From Debut to Dominance in Professional Poker
Gorodinsky made his debut in professional poker on January 5th, 2008, during the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure – PCA 2008 in Paradise Island, Bahamas. He finished 52nd in the $8,000 No Limit Hold’em event, winning $16,000.
His breakthrough came on January 7th, 2010, during the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure – PCA 2010, where he claimed victory in the $5,250 8 Game Championship, pocketing $105,540.
In June 2015, at the 46th World Series of Poker – WSOP 2015 in Las Vegas, Gorodinsky continued to excel. He secured 2nd place in the $10,000 Seven Card Razz Championship (Event #17), taking home $167,517. Shortly after, he finished 3rd in the $5,000 No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed (Event #32), adding $246,867 to his substantial winnings.
Returning to WSOP success in June 2022 at the 53rd World Series of Poker – WSOP 2022, Gorodinsky placed 2nd in the $10,000 Mixed Games – Dealer’s Choice Championship (Event #10), earning $185,095.
Most recently, Gorodinsky was seen competing at the 55th World Series of Poker – WSOP 2024 in Las Vegas, where he finished 24th in the $1,500 Limit Razz (Bracelet Event #40), collecting $4,514.
Mike Gorodinsky: 3 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets
His first triumph came on May 31st, 2013, during the 44th WSOP in Las Vegas, where he clinched 1st place in the $2,500 Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo (Event #5), securing a prize of $216,988.
Gorodinsky continued to solidify his legacy with another remarkable victory on June 21st, 2015, at the 46th WSOP. He emerged victorious in the prestigious $50,000 The Players Championship (Event #44), earning an impressive $1,270,086.
His most recent WSOP bracelet came on June 23rd, 2023, during the 54th WSOP. Competing in the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship (Bracelet Event 54), Gorodinsky demonstrated his versatility by finishing in the top spot, adding $422,747 to his career winnings.
