Eli Elezra - Profile and Biography
Perhaps best known for his
thick Israeli accent and slicked-back black hair, Eli
Elezra has been able to showcase his poker prowess
thanks so the explosion of televised poker. A smart
businessman and a force to be reckoned with both in
tournaments and cash games, Eli Elezra originally
emigrated to the U.S. (Las Vegas specifically) from his
native Israel.
As is standard for of-age Israeli men, he served in the
national forces as a commando until a leg injury cut his
military career short. A recurring theme (think Doyle
Brunson), Elezra developed his poker game after becoming
bedridden from the injury. Apparently, he is still close
to his original unit and, in fact, donated $50,000 in
2006 to build a gym for the group.
Eli Elezra’s official tournament record includes a 2004
World Poker Tour victory at the Mirage Poker Showdown,
where he collected just over $1 million for the win. He
has never won a World Series of Poker bracelet, but has
11 cashes including the 2004 Main Event. Elezra is
primarily a cash game player, mainly taking part in “The
Big Game” with the likes of Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese,
Daniel Negreanu, and Phil Ivey. It is the rule rather
than the exception that these players take six-figure
bankroll swings after each session.
You can catch Eli Elezra on a fair number of poker TV
shows including reruns of his WPT win, competing in
seasons 2 and 3 of FSN’s Poker Superstars, attending
both seasons of GSN’s High Stakes Poker, and finally
representing Israel in CBS’ underexposed
Intercontinental Poker Championship. Elezra is has a
friendly demeanor, is likeable to the players at the
table, and isn’t afraid to show a bit of emotion about a
bad beat or a lucky break. Keeping a red rose handy to
smell has been his trademark of late on High Stakes
Poker.
Also commendable, Eli Elezra maintains a healthy family
life with five children at home. Besides winning
millions playing poker, he also owns a group of shows
called Seven on the Las Vegas Strip. He still maintains
those during the day while he’s off to the biggest cash
games in town by night.
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