Kevin Martin Leaves PokerStars

Popular poker streamer Kevin Martin has become the latest high-profile name to part ways with PokerStars this week, following the departure of both Jaime Staples and Jeff Gross.

Martin became one of the best-liked streamers when he turned his attention fully to poker, a radio DJ job swapped for the online felt – as well as two appearances on the Canadian version of the reality TV show Big Brother, winning one for $100k,  bringing him plenty of exposure.

His PokerStars ambassadorship was the result of hard work and excellent production, Martin – as with Staple and Gross – keen to thank PokerStars for the opportunity he was given to grow his stream.

The big question now, of course, is whether Kevin Martin will be joining the partypoker Team Online announced yesterday, his name certainly in the frame after Matt Staples was named as the first team member.

Martin is close friends with both Matt and Jaime Staples, the trio sharing a ‘streamhouse’ in Montreal, and rising through the ranks together as it were. Last year saw Martin land some excellent live results, with back-to-back wins worth over $60k cementing his reputation as a player.

Fellow streamer Jeff Gross was among the first to wish Martin luck for the future, although the clever money is on the pair being colleagues at partypoker very soon.

PokerStars decision to cut ties with their popular streamers has come as a surprise to many, although several recent changes have raised eyebrows in the poker community – rake increases among them – with saving money being the most obvious reason.