Eli Elezra

Eliahu Ilan Elezra is an Israeli-American professional poker player and businessman, born in Jerusalem on November 24, 1960. He is a five-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner and a World Poker Tour champion, placing him among the most accomplished players of the modern poker era. With over $5.9 million in live tournament earnings and a reputation built on decades of high-stakes cash games, Elezra is a fixture in the game's upper echelon.

Known for his versatility across Omaha, Hold'em, and Stud variants, Elezra has been a regular on televised poker, including High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2021. Away from the tables, he runs successful business ventures and has authored his autobiography, Pulling the Trigger. Fans respect him as a family man who has balanced a high-pressure career with a grounded personal life. [edit]

Eli Elezra grew up in one of Jerusalem's tougher neighborhoods, an environment that forged his resilience and competitive edge. The 1982 Israeli/Lebanon War marked a turning point; he served in the conflict, an experience he later detailed in his autobiography. The war left a deep impression on him, shaping his outlook on life and risk.

Before poker, Elezra built a successful business career in Israel, establishing himself as an entrepreneur. This financial foundation allowed him to approach poker without the desperation that drives many players. He moved to Las Vegas in the mid-1990s, where he began playing in the city's legendary high-stakes games. His early years in Vegas were spent learning the nuances of cash games, gradually earning respect among the toughest regulars. [edit]

Elezra's breakthrough came in 2004 when he won the World Poker Tour Mirage Poker Showdown, taking home $1,024,574 after defeating Lee Watkinson heads-up. That victory catapulted him into the spotlight. In 2007, he captured his first WSOP bracelet in the World Championship Seven Card Stud Hi-Low, beating Scotty Nguyen heads-up. That win was sweetened by a side bet with Barry Greenstein, who gave 10:1 odds; Elezra wagered $25,000 and collected $250,000, more than the tournament prize itself.

He added a fourth bracelet in June 2019, winning the $1,500 Seven Card Stud event from a field of 285. In July 2022, he took his fifth bracelet in the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. event, earning $611,362 and dedicating the victory to his late father. He continued competing at the 2026 WSOP, chasing a sixth bracelet in multiple events. His autobiography, first published in Hebrew in 2017 and in English as Pulling the Trigger in 2019, chronicles his journey. [edit]

Eli Elezra is widely regarded as one of the most recognizable and respected figures in professional poker. His public persona blends the toughness of his Jerusalem upbringing with the polish of a successful businessman. At the table, he is known for his aggressive yet calculated style, equally comfortable in Hold'em, Omaha, or Stud. Fans appreciate his longevity and consistency, as well as his willingness to play anyone at any stakes. His television appearances on High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark made him a familiar face to a global audience. On social media, he presents himself as a family man and Hall of Famer, sharing moments from his life and career. [edit]

Eli Elezra commands a global audience defined by deep respect within the poker community rather than mass-market celebrity status. His reputation spans three decades of high-stakes competition, establishing him as a recognizable figure among enthusiasts and industry professionals worldwide. Despite this enduring legacy, the iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his current standing and determined that he does not hold a placement in the published rankings, meaning he is currently unranked in the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This absence from the numerical charts reflects his position as a specialist icon whose fame is concentrated in specific circles rather than distributed across general entertainment metrics. The broader poker world views him as a pillar of the game, yet no formal organized fandom exists to support chart pushes or large-scale campaigns. Unlike pop stars who cultivate dedicated tribes with specific names, Elezra's supporters are simply the players and fans of professional poker who recognize his Hall of Fame induction and cash game dominance. While he maintains a social media presence where he shares updates on his continued competitive play, there is no documented fanbase name, ritual, or infrastructure comparable to those found in mainstream music or film. His influence remains rooted in his longevity and the tangible achievements of his career, including his five World Series of Poker bracelets and his pivotal role in the early days of televised poker. The lack of a specific fandom title underscores the nature of his stardom: it is built on professional merit and quiet authority rather than the frenetic energy of a modern celebrity following.[edit]

Among poker insiders, Elezra carries the nickname "The Truth," a moniker reflecting his straightforward, no-nonsense approach at the table. He is an avid sports enthusiast who frequently places bets on basketball games, a pastime that sometimes rivals his high-stakes poker action. A notable anecdote involves a private game where he sat opposite actor Matt Damon during research for a film role. Elezra holds the distinction of having the most World Series of Poker cashes by an Israeli-born player and is a licensed pilot who enjoys flying his own aircraft. His victory at the 2004 World Poker Tour Mirage Poker Showdown stands as a legendary moment, earning him over $1 million and cementing his status as a tournament force despite his primary identity as a cash game legend. His autobiography, Pulling the Trigger, has become synonymous with his aggressive playing style, with fans using the phrase to describe bold bluffs in high-stakes environments. His 2021 induction into the Poker Hall of Fame is widely viewed as a validation of the cash game archetype, honoring his excellence in that arena over tournament results. A deeply personal chapter of his legend involves his fifth WSOP bracelet win in 2022, which he dedicated to the memory of his father, a former Israeli soldier and poker enthusiast. Recent reports from 2026 confirm his continued relevance as he seeks a sixth bracelet while competing in mixed-game events well into his sixties.[edit]

Eli Elezra is married to Hila Elezra, and together they have two children: a daughter, Maya, and a son, Jonathan. Jonathan passed away on October 8, 2025, in Las Vegas, leaving behind his wife Tiffany Madden and three children. The family has been open about their loss. Elezra has spoken candidly about his earlier struggles as a father, admitting he was "an irresponsible father" at one point before winning custody of Jonathan and raising him alongside his younger siblings. The family resides in Las Vegas, where Elezra balances his poker career with business interests. [edit]

Eli Elezra has crossed paths with many of poker's biggest names. Barry Greenstein made a famous side bet against Elezra winning a 2007 bracelet, a wager Elezra won. He defeated Scotty Nguyen heads-up for his first bracelet. He played regularly with Doyle Brunson in Bobby's Room at the Bellagio. Lee Watkinson was his runner-up at the 2004 WPT title. Matan Krakow, co-author of his autobiography, won EPT Prague in 2025. [edit]

Eli Elezra has kept his romantic life largely private, but his marriage to Hila Elezra is well-documented. The couple has been together for decades, raising two children, Maya and Jonathan. Jonathan's 2025 obituary lists both Eli and Hila as his parents, confirming the marriage was intact at that time.

Before his marriage, Elezra had a son, Jonathan, from an earlier relationship. In a 2019 interview, he admitted to being "an irresponsible father" during those years, but later won custody of Jonathan and raised him alongside his children with Hila. The details of Jonathan's mother and the timeline of that relationship have not been publicly disclosed. As of 2026, Elezra is married to Hila, and the couple resides in Las Vegas. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Eli Elezra's net worth in 2026 at $10 million, a figure that reflects his diverse income streams. His live tournament earnings total $5.9 million, with over $3 million from WSOP events alone. But tournament winnings are just part of the picture. Elezra has been a staple of high-stakes cash games for decades, playing in Bobby's Room at the Bellagio and "The Big Game" on television. Cash game profits for elite players often dwarf tournament results, and Elezra is widely considered one of the best in the world at those games. Beyond poker, Elezra has business interests that predate his card career, including real estate and other investments. He also earned from a sponsorship deal with Full Tilt Poker, television appearance fees, and royalties from his autobiography Pulling the Trigger. His net worth has grown steadily over the years, fueled by consistent tournament cashes and his enduring presence in the highest-stakes cash games. As of 2026, he remains active, competing in WSOP events and maintaining his status as a poker legend.[edit]

Eli Elezra has won five World Series of Poker gold bracelets, the most prestigious awards in the game. He also captured a World Poker Tour title in 2004. In 2021, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, a lifetime achievement honor voted on by his peers. [edit]