Eli Elezra

If there is such a thing as a Holdem Poker stereotype, it is certainly not Eli Elezra. Born in Jerusalem, Israel fifty years ago, Eli served for years in the Israeli army. After settling in the United States in 1986, Elezra went on to became a highly successful businessman, and as if by coincidence, ending up in Las Vegas.

Before hitting the city of lights Elezra made the less glamorous surrounding of Anchorage, Alaska, where he ended his first cash stake, first by driving a cab, and then showing his aptitude for business by opening a general store, which was so successful that he sold out and made for Vegas with his wife Hila with the intention of developing his business interests and starting a family.

With the money he had earned in Alaska, Eli bought into a company that dealt with film-processing who had offices right by the famous Stardust casino on the strip.It was there that Elezra's love for Holdem Poker was kindled, and one that has continued to this day.

However with Elezra, business and family always comes first and while playing some pretty big money poker has succeeded in establishing a Las Vegas based business empire with around twenty retail outlets, a night club and extensive property interests. Eli and Hila were also pretty fruitful in the family stakes, having no less than five children to come home to.

While all this was going on, Eli Elezra was also shaping and perfecting his poker game. Not only did he regularly take part in some pretty considerable cash games against Holdem Poker veterans like Doyle Brunson and up and coming superstars such as Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey and Barry Greenstein, but also began to appear regularly in live tournaments, most always in las Vegas as he was reluctant to be too far away from his family or his business. Eli made his first World Series of Poker appearance in 1999 and has since made the final table twice, but yet to take home a winner's bracelet. Elezra's largest tournament win to date came in 2004, when he won the main event at the World Poker Tour $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em tournament in Las Vegas, taking home a $1 million first prize.

Eli Elezra is well appreciated on the professional Poker Holdem circuit simply because he has succeeded in finding the proper balance between his family, his business activities and his obvious skill and ability as a Poker Holden player, capable of holding his own in the highest circles.