What Is 2005 WSOP Player of the Year

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2005 WSOP Player of the Year was awarded to Michael Mizrachi, a professional poker player who earned the title based on consistent high finishes in multiple events during the 2005 World Series of Poker. He secured the honor before the Main Event concluded, marking a rare achievement in the tournament's history.

Key Facts

Michael Mizrachi won the 2005 WSOP Player of the Year award.
The award was based on a points system tracking performance across multiple events.
Mizrachi earned the title before the WSOP Main Event concluded.
He accumulated points through deep runs in several bracelet events.
The Player of the Year title was officially recognized starting in 2004.

Overview

The 2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Player of the Year title was a significant milestone in professional poker, awarded to Michael Mizrachi for his outstanding performance across multiple events. Unlike later years, the 2005 season saw the award given based on a points system that measured consistency, final table appearances, and deep runs in bracelet events.

Mizrachi's achievement was notable because he clinched the title before the conclusion of the WSOP Main Event, a rare feat that underscored his dominance throughout the summer series. His success reflected a shift in how poker excellence was measured, moving beyond single-event wins to overall tournament performance.

Michael Mizrachi won the 2005 WSOP Player of the Year based on his cumulative performance across multiple events, not a single victory.
The award was determined using a points-based system that rewarded deep runs, final tables, and in-the-money finishes.
Mizrachi secured the title in July 2005, weeks before the Main Event final table, making him the first to win it pre-Main Event.
His best finish that year was a 3rd place in Event #12: $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em, earning him $160,780.
The Player of the Year award was officially introduced in 2004, making 2005 only the second year it was awarded.

How It Works

The WSOP Player of the Year award is determined by a structured scoring system that emphasizes consistency and high-level performance across the summer series. Players earn points based on their finishes in bracelet events, with deeper runs and higher placements yielding more points.

Points System: Players earn points based on finish position, buy-in amount, and field size, with larger events offering more points. The system rewards both frequency and depth of success.
Eligible Events: Only official WSOP bracelet events count toward the Player of the Year standings, excluding satellites and non-bracelet tournaments.
Final Table Bonuses: Reaching a final table grants bonus points, incentivizing players to push for top finishes rather than just cashing.
Weighted Scoring: Events with larger buy-ins and bigger fields are weighted more heavily, ensuring that success in marquee events has greater impact.
Season-Long Tracking: The award covers the entire WSOP summer series, typically running from late May to mid-July, with standings updated in real time.
Historical Recognition: The award was formalized in 2004 and has since become one of the most prestigious honors in poker, separate from winning a single bracelet.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of top performers in the 2005 WSOP Player of the Year race:

Player	Best Finish	Points	Notable Event	Final Standing
Michael Mizrachi	3rd	240	$2,000 NLH (Event #12)	1st (POY)
Steve Zolotow	4th	195	$5,000 NLH (Event #19)	2nd
Phil Ivey	1st	180	$2,500 S.H.O.E. (Event #20)	3rd
Allen Cunningham	1st	175	$2,000 NLH (Event #22)	4th
Doyle Brunson	2nd	160	$10,000 HORSE (Event #2)	5th

The table highlights how Mizrachi's consistency across events gave him the edge, even without a bracelet win. His ability to reach multiple final tables and deep runs in high-point events allowed him to surpass players like Phil Ivey and Allen Cunningham, who each won a single event but lacked the same volume of high finishes.

Why It Matters

The 2005 WSOP Player of the Year award was a turning point in how poker excellence was recognized, shifting focus from singular victories to sustained performance. It validated the idea that tournament success should be measured over a full series, not just by one big score.

The award elevated Michael Mizrachi as a top-tier player, even before he won his first bracelet in 2010.
It encouraged players to enter more events and aim for consistency, changing strategic approaches to the summer series.
The points system introduced a competitive leaderboard element, increasing engagement among professionals.
It laid the foundation for future Player of the Year awards, now considered a major career milestone.
The 2005 season demonstrated that deep runs in mid-tier events could be as valuable as winning a single high-profile tournament.
Mizrachi's pre-Main Event win proved that the award could be decided independently of poker's most famous event.

Today, the WSOP Player of the Year title remains one of the most respected honors in the game, symbolizing endurance, skill, and adaptability across diverse formats and fields.