Kevin Martin, a professional poker player and former Big Brother Canada contestant embarked on an ambitious challenge. He seems to be going back to his TV roots, but throwing his current career into the mix.
What he did captured the attention of the poker world and anyone with a bit of curiosity about the game. Kevin, now a popular Twitch streamer, tried to build a new poker bankroll starting from zero, and he livestreamed the entire journey 24/7 for his fans to follow along.
Who is Kevin Martin?
Kevin Martin is a well-known figure in both the poker and reality TV worlds. Hailing from a small town in Alberta, Canada, Martin discovered his passion for poker in 2014. In addition to his poker achievements, Martin is known for his appearances on Big Brother Canada. He competed twice, finishing 9th in his first season and winning the entire competition in his second appearance.
As his skills improved, Martin transitioned to online poker tournaments, where he found success streaming his play on Twitch. His authentic personality and willingness to share the ups and downs of his poker journey resonated with viewers, helping him build a dedicated following.
Currently, Martin is a sponsored pro and ambassador for GGPoker, one of the largest online poker sites in the world. As part of the GGSquad, he continues to create engaging content and stream his play for his fans on the GGPoker platform.
It’s not exactly Big Brother-esque, but he does spend several hours with a camera in his face.
Kevin Martin’s Challenge to Raise $5,000 from $0
Inspired by his own beginnings in the micro stakes, Martin has decided to take on the ultimate bankroll challenge – starting from scratch and building a new poker bankroll. He’s set an ambitious goal of turning $0 into $5,000, the same bankroll he had when he first turned pro.
He wasn’t allowed to take the traditional route. Usually, you’d make a deposit GGPoker allows, then start grinding your way to higher stakes through all of the different poker formats on the app. Kevin had to take a much harder route.
To kick off the challenge, Martin pawned some belongings to generate a small starting stake. With just a few dollars, he could still enter into the lowest-stakes games and try to spin up a profit. He then launched a 24/7 Twitch stream, inviting his audience to follow along as he grinds his way up from the bottom. Along the way, he even worked labor jobs to get funds together.
The challenge is not without its difficulties. Many top-tier pros have attempted similar bankroll challenges, only to give up due to the high variance and failure rate involved. Martin also acknowledges that finding enough time for sleep while maintaining a constant stream will be a significant obstacle.
Despite the challenges, Martin remains confident in his ability to succeed. He’s committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout the process, ensuring he gets enough sleep, exercise, and proper nutrition to keep himself sharp at the tables. By the end, he was exhausted. Despite missing the $5,000 mark, it was a successful promotion and impressive feat.
Kevin Martin’s Sponsorship with the Biggest Poker Brand
Throughout his career, Kevin Martin has been sponsored by some of the biggest names in poker. In 2016, he joined the prestigious roster of PokerStars Team Pros. He later expanded his sponsorship portfolio in 2019 by becoming a member of partypoker’s Team Online.
Most recently, in October 2020, Martin signed with GGPoker as part of their GGSquad. GGPoker, one of the fastest-growing online poker sites, has been making waves in the industry by signing high-profile ambassadors and running massive tournament series.
As a GGPoker ambassador, Martin continues to create engaging content for the site and represent the brand both online and at live events. His partnership with GGPoker has helped cement his status as a respected figure in the poker community.
GGPoker offers a wide variety of games and stakes, catering to both recreational players and seasoned pros. With its innovative features, generous promotions, and commitment to providing an exceptional user experience, GGPoker has quickly become a top choice for online poker enthusiasts worldwide.