Sorel Mizzi - aka Imper1um - is a 21 year old from Toronto, Canada who is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in the live poker world.
Sorel started playing Texas Hold’em while he was still at school and his online success once he became a student in 2004 has been incredible. He’s cashed for over $500K on Pokerstars alone and has secured outright victories in the Sunday Warm Up ($80K) and many of the other toughest MTTs. In late 2007, he destroyed the High Stakes HU Showdown on Pokerstars, winning it 4 times in its first 6 outings.
Turning 21 meant Sorel had the opportunity to create the same impact in the offline scene. A third place finish in the Irish Open winning over $250k, going deep in the $25K at the Bellagio, and deep in the Main Event at the WSOP all adds up to a cracking start to his offline career.
Getting to Know You - Eight questions for Imper1um
Team Betfair's new signing Sorel Mizzi gives us a quick rundown on the who, what, when, where and hows...
1 - Can you tell us about your family and background?
I grew up with my mom, dad and two older brothers in Toronto, Ontario. I've always been competitive with my family. Whether it be playing games of scrabble for $5 (A LOT to me at the time), playing video poker with my mom, or getting $10 from everyone for being the first to solve the puzzle in the Wheel of Fortune. There has always been a healthy mixture of gambling and competitiveness growing up in my family.
2 - Is Online or offline best?
I use to like online more than offline because I could play more tables at once and when you're playing 8+ tables, it seems like you always have a playable hand. But lately, grinding MTT's online has been getting a little bit too repetitive and automatic. Although it's clear I have to be more patient playing live, I like the new challenge and the new variables I am faced with in a live setting.
3 - Best online and offline successes?
Online - winning 2 FTOPs events, coming 1st and 2nd in the Sunday Warmup and multiple $100 and $200 rebuys.
Offline - My best success in the live arena so far has been chopping the Irish Open four ways for just over $250,000.
4 - Preferred game?
Live MTT's, Heads up NL cash and SNGs.
5 - Most memorable hand?
Doubling up with 99 in the 25k WPT championship vs Phil Helmuth. Phil Helmuth had been constantly mocking me about being just another overaggressive internet player which made the hand so much sweeter. He seems to be getting irritated about my raise and re-raise frequency . Blinds were 6k/12k, Phil Helmuth raised from early position to 32k I just called from the SB with my 99 not wanting to play a big pot with a great player out of position... Flop came down As9c4d. I did something really tricky that I don't normally do, I lead out for 60k after flopping a set. He called my bet fairly quickly and when the ace fell on the turn I was quite confident that I would be doubling up completely. I fired out another bet of 180k to which he said "Why so much? I think I need a Jack to beat you" and made the call. The river was a jack, which I was quite scared of having seen Phil Helmuth on TV and noting that he's usually weirdly honest about the strength of his hand. I thought about it for some time and figured okay, if he does have AJ then he's going to put me all in for 300k more anyway and I'm going to have to call, so I might as well shove all in myself and get full value for my hand. I did and he showed an ace and mucked, later admitting in his blog that he had A6.
6 - Do you have a specific approach to your game?
I'm generally considered a very loose, aggressive player but I have several different gears depending on table dynamics.
7 - What would be your ultimate final table?
It would be nice to play on a final table with superstar pro's from Canada. Daniel Negreanu would have to be on it since he's a native of Toronto and was one of my original poker heroes growing up. Also I'd pick Gavin Smith, Greg Mueller, Mike MacDonald, Matt Kay. I know all these guys a decent amount and I think playing with them for loads of money would be really fun.
8 - Aims for the coming year?
Win the WSOPE and make a living off beating Annette in last longers!!
