Maciek “Michael” Gracz was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1981 and now resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. This young tournament poker superstar is a class act – he respects the game and is very quiet and reserved at the tables. Grazc’s father also plays poker and Mike learned by watching him until he started playing regularly while a student at North Carolina State. Gracz claims that unlike other young pros, he felt his education was much more important than playing poker, which is why he made sure to finish his degree before going pro.
Mike Gracz is hot – in 2005 Gracz has already earned about 3 million dollars in tournament winnings, and one WSOP gold bracelet for the $1,000 No Limit Hold ‘em event. Some of Gracz’s other money finishes in tournament poker include: 1st place in the No Limit Hold ‘em Championship of the 2004 Trump Classic worth $ 295,275, and 1st place in the WPT Limit Hold’em Championship Event in march of 2005 taking home 1.5 million dollars for first place. Mike Gracz seems to possess a level of maturity beyond his 24 years of age that will no doubt help him make the transition from a young phenom to an old (and very rich) poker veteran.