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Mike Gorodinsky is an elite American professional poker player and one of the most feared mixed-game specialists in the world. A five-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and the 2015 WSOP Player of the Year, Gorodinsky has established himself as a dominant force in the high-stakes arena. Best known for his historic victory in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship, he is recognized for his technical mastery across all variants, from Razz and Badugi to Pot-Limit Omaha and high-stakes cash games.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings now exceeding $5,631,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Mike Gorodinsky is a pillar of the global high-stakes circuit. His career-defining moment occurred in 2015, when he outlasted a field of legends to win the $50,000 Poker Players Championship (PPC) for $1,270,086. Gorodinsky has maintained an incredible pace through early 2026, recently capturing his fifth career bracelet in the 2025 WSOP $10,000 Eight Game Mixed Championship for $422,421. His immense success in both the WSOP and the PokerGO Tour contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $7 million.
Major Tournament Results:
| Year | Event | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | WSOP $50,000 Poker Players Championship (1st) | $1,270,086 |
| 2025 | WSOP $10,000 Eight Game Mixed Championship (1st – 5th Bracelet) | $422,421 |
| 2023 | WSOP $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship (1st – 3rd Bracelet) | $422,747 |
| 2024 | WSOP Paradise $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (1st – 4th Bracelet) | $393,250 |
Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1986 in St. Petersburg, Russia , Mike Gorodinsky moved to the United States at age six, eventually settling in St. Louis. He graduated from the Olin Business School at Washington University in 2009, having already begun his ascent in the online poker world under the handle “gordo16.” Initially known for his dominance in high-stakes cash games at Bobby’s Room in Las Vegas, Gorodinsky transitioned into a world-class tournament pro during the 2013 WSOP, where he won his first bracelet in Omaha/Stud Hi-Low. His 2015 season remains legendary; he reached three major final tables and won the Poker Players Championship, earning the WSOP Player of the Year title. By 2026, he is recognized as one of the few “all-around” masters capable of competing in any game format at the highest possible stakes.
Play Style & Strategy
Gorodinsky is renowned for a “highly clinical, balanced, and multi-disciplinary” play style. While many modern pros rely solely on GTO solvers for No-Limit Hold’em, Gorodinsky’s greatest edge lies in his Mixed Game depth, particularly in lowball variants and Razz. His strategy is built on technical range awareness and an exceptional ability to identify technical weaknesses in his opponents’ sub-games during 8-game or 10-game rotations. Strategically, he is a proponent of game-state adaptation, famously battling through illness and massive chip deficits to win his fifth bracelet in 2025. His approach focuses on long-term technical equity and emotional stability, traits that have made him a staple in the world’s most expensive “Big Game” cash sessions.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow “Gordo” as he continues to add to his legacy and compete for his 6th bracelet in 2026? You can find his profiles and stats here:
Video Highlights:
Watch Mike Gorodinsky’s technical masterclass during his $1.2 million Poker Players Championship win and his breakdown of the strategy required to master 8-game mixed formats:
