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Elliot Smith is a legendary Canadian professional poker player known for his incredible mental endurance and tactical precision. An elite fixture of the international circuit for nearly two decades, Smith etched his name into the history books by winning the longest heads-up battle in the history of flagship PokerStars events. Currently ranking 40th on Canada’s all-time money list, he is recognized for his workmanlike approach to the game and his ability to dominate fields across the globe, from Macau to Las Vegas.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings surpassing $2,938,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Smith is a certified heavyweight of the Canadian poker community. His career-best live score of $497,258 was achieved in 2017 when he won the PokerStars Championship Macau Main Event, a victory defined by a grueling 11-hour heads-up match.
Smith has remained exceptionally prolific through 2024 and 2025, and into early 2026. His recent highlights include:
- April 2025: 1st place in the PGT Texas Poker Open $5,100 High Roller for $58,680.
- February 2025: 3rd place in the Enjoy Poker Tour $10,500 Super High Roller for $126,175.
- December 2024: 22nd place in the WPT Prime Championship at Wynn Las Vegas for $40,500.
- July 2024: 29th place in the WSOP $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship for $34,253.
His sustained success across major tours contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $4 million.
Biography & Poker Background
Hailing from Richmond, British Columbia, Smith began his professional journey in the mid-2000s, recording his first major cash in 2006. He quickly developed a reputation as a world traveler, amassing cashes in Australia, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. His 2017 victory in Macau remains his crowning achievement; after negotiating a chop with opponent Terry Tang, the two played for over 10 hours for the trophy, eventually ending when Smith’s $A\diamond K\spades$ rivered a nut flush against Tang’s set of sixes.
Beyond his individual accolades, Smith is known for his disciplined lifestyle and commitment to physical fitness. He often incorporates swimming and basketball into his routine to prepare for the mental “grind” of multi-day tournaments. A student of the game who has worked with elite coaches like BenCB of Raise Your Edge, Smith represents the bridge between the original poker boom and the modern analytical era. Now a veteran with over 110 recorded cashes, he remains one of Canada’s most active and respected ambassadors on the Global Poker Index (GPI).
Play Style & Strategy
Smith is renowned for a “highly resilient, patient, and clinical” play style. His strategy is rooted in elite endurance—his ability to maintain a low error rate over exceptionally long sessions is considered world-class. While he incorporates modern Game Theory Optimal (GTO) foundations, his game is heavily influenced by his decades of live experience and his ability to read table dynamics under extreme pressure.
His strategy revolves around:
- Mental Stamina: A proven ability to outlast opponents in marathons, as evidenced by his record-breaking 11-hour heads-up battle in Macau.
- High-Roller Versatility: Excelling in small-field, high-buy-in events where technical precision and ICM (Independent Chip Model) awareness are paramount.
- Selective Aggression: Utilizing a “middle-stack” strategy to put pressure on opponents during bubble play and late-stage tournament dynamics.
Social Media & Online Presence
Follow the Canadian “Iron Man” as he continues to add to his legacy and hunt for his first WSOP gold bracelet:
