Roland Israelashvili

Roland Israelashvili was born in the Republic of Georgia and later moved to the United States, residing in Forest Hills, New York. He began his poker career playing live tournaments, with his first major cash coming at the 2005 World Series of Poker.

Israelashvili is one of the most consistent WSOP players in history. He first cashed in a WSOP bracelet event in 2005, finishing 31st in a $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em event for $9,755, and later that year placed 37th in the Main Event for $235,390. Over the next two decades, he accumulated 253 in-the-money finishes in bracelet events—the most of any player without a bracelet and the second-most overall behind Daniel Negreanu (267). As of 2025, his total WSOP cashes exceed 500, and he holds the record for the most combined cashes in all WSOP events. He also has over 739 lifetime live cashes with total live earnings of $4,825,017 as of November 2025.

Despite his frequent deep runs, a WSOP bracelet eluded him for nearly 20 years. The breakthrough finally came in October 2024 at age 66, when he won the $400 PLOSSUS Pot-Limit Omaha Progressive Knockout Six-Max event on WSOP.com in Michigan, earning $23,519.85. His winning screenname was 'pmgls12'. This victory ended the longest bracelet drought among active players.

Israelashvili also holds 11 WSOP Circuit rings, including his first in March 2010 when he won the Main Event in Atlantic City for $264,715.

On the World Poker Tour, Israelashvili has seven cash finishes with total earnings of $191,830. His best WPT result came in Season XIV of the Five Diamond World Poker Classic at the Bellagio, where he finished 8th for $127,065. He also cashed in WPT events at Hollywood, Maryland, Bay 101, Montreal, and the Borgata.

Beyond the WSOP and WPT, his largest single cash was a 5th-place finish in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship at the 2012 WSOP for $317,882. In 2017, he won a $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em event at the PokerStars Championship Bahamas for $72,550. Other notable results include a 6th place in the 2025 WSOP $300 Gladiators of Poker ($100,120) and a 3rd place in the 2023 WSOP Europe €550 Pot-Limit Omaha event (€29,100). His latest recorded cash as of November 2025 was $1,425 in an unspecified event.

Israelashvili is known for his relentless grinding style and ability to adapt to various poker formats, including No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and mixed games. He is particularly proficient in limit and stud variants. His deep runs are often characterized by patience and a steady accumulation of chips, earning him the nickname "The Grinder" among peers. Despite his success, he remains humble and focused on continuous improvement.

Roland Israelashvili's career is a testament to perseverance and consistency. As one of the most prolific cashers in WSOP history, he holds a unique place in the poker world. His long-awaited bracelet win in 2024 cemented a legacy defined not by a single victory, but by sustained excellence over two decades. With over 739 live cashes and counting, he continues to add to his remarkable record.