Sorel Mizzi

Childhood

Born on April 16, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, Sorel Mizzi grew up in a household where gambling games like Scrabble and Wheel of Fortune were common. His mother’s interest in video poker introduced him to card games early on.

At 16, Mizzi joined the Toronto Scottish Regiment, serving as an army reservist for two years. The discipline and mental resilience he developed during this time later translated into his poker career. After leaving the military, he worked as a telemarketer, where he honed his persuasive skills—later useful in bluffing opponents.

His poker journey truly began when his brother repaid a debt by depositing money into his PartyPoker account. Mizzi quickly transitioned from casual play to professional grinding, eventually quitting his job after winning $80,000 in a single week.

Career

Live Tournament

Success Mizzi’s breakthrough came in 2006–2007, with notable finishes at:

• 2006 UltimateBet Aruba Poker Classic (10th, $29,800)
• 2007 Irish Poker Open (3rd, $280,284) 
• 2008 WSOP Europe (2nd in PLO, £5,000 buy-in)

His biggest live cash was $2,073,868 for a 3rd-place finish at the 2013 GuangDong Asia Millions. Other major wins include:

• 2010 Wynn Classic (1st, $85,147)
• 2013 PartyPoker Premier League VII (1st, $466,000)
• 2014 Aussie Millions (2nd, $874,837) 

Online Poker Dominance

Playing under the aliases "Imper1um" and "Zangbezan24", Mizzi became a feared online competitor. Highlights include:

• Two FTOPS titles (2007), making him the second player ever to achieve this
• SCOOP victory in 2015 ($118,500)
• Titan Poker sponsorship (2010–2012) as team captain 

Personal life

Mizzi has been open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse, tweeting in 2025: "New goal—no more drugs" 3. He also engaged in high-profile prop bets, including:

• Swimming 5km from Ipanema Beach (2014), winning $30,000 and donating 10% to charity.
• Boxing match vs. Brian Rast (2015), winning by 3rd-round KO for charity.
  

Revenue

As of 2025, Mizzi’s estimated net worth is 1.59 million, though his total career earnings exceed18 million (live + online).

Interesting facts

• Bluff Magazine’s 2010 Player of the Year.
• Ranked 7th richest Canadian poker player (2022).
• Once worked as a telemarketer before poker success.
• Has a reputation for an aggressive, psychological play style.

Legacy

Despite controversies, Mizzi remains a top-tier poker pro, known for:

• Versatility (excelling in both live and online formats).
• High-stakes dominance (with multiple seven-figure scores).
• Resilience (rebounding from bans and scandals).

His influence extends beyond the felt, with charity contributions and a polarizing yet memorable career.