In one of his interviews, Daniel Negreanu was asked which player he would recommend watching during the 2025 WSOP. His answer was Martins Adeniya. In this article, you’ll get an inside look at Martins Adeniya's evolution as a poker player, from his early days watching the World Series of Poker, to transforming into a force to be reckoned with on the live poker scene. Learn how Martins overcame challenges, honed his skills, and crafted a mindset for success that led to major victories—including his recent triumph in Florida with $512K.
What has your journey in poker been like?
I had a wonderful childhood, with loving parents who did everything for me. My introduction to poker came during my university years in 2003 or 2004. I was drawn in by watching others play, and my friends and I would often gather for home games. I was deeply influenced by the Moneymaker effect, with the WSOP constantly airing on TV and WPT episodes regularly playing. I watched it all, dreaming of one day competing at that level.
As I began to take poker more seriously, I realized the path to success would require dedication and focus. At the time, my job had a light workload—just a day's worth of tasks—but a week-long deadline, leaving me with plenty of free time. I decided to focus on poker, reading countless articles and studying various strategies. I also devoured books like Super System 2 and made a $500 deposit on several online poker sites. By the end of my internship, about five or six months later, that $500 had grown to approximately $20,000.
I turned 21, I travelled to Las Vegas and quickly realized how different live poker was from online play. I knew I needed to learn the ropes of live poker, so I started going to the local casino two to three times a week, playing in the evenings and late at night. I learned from my mistakes, honed my bankroll management, and balanced my studies to finish my degree.
After graduation, I began working as a trader, where I gained valuable insights into risk management and financial markets. I continued to play poker online alongside my job, and soon managed to win an EPT package. I also met some up-and-coming poker players who were making more money than I was at my job. Over the next few months, I finished in third place in a major tournament, earning around $200,000. At that point, I was being practical, keeping my job for a while longer as I figured out the best path forward.
Ultimately, when the WSOP rolled around, I decided to leave my job and pursue poker full-time. Along the way, I met many talented players, both my age and older, who were already doing well. A lot of top UK players were part of my circle, and it was great having such a strong network of people to share both the highs and lows with. We partied together, discussed strategy, and helped each other navigate life. Eventually, I was fortunate enough to secure a sponsorship, and since then, I’ve been playing a mix of cash games and tournaments for the last 10-15 years.
What have you learned from the players you’ve met?
I gained valuable lessons from various players, each with their own distinct style. From Daniel Negreanu, for instance, I learned how to read opponents, engage in meaningful conversations, and gather crucial information. These skills are developed through experience and spending significant time at the tables.
I also absorbed strategic insights from other players, which helped me refine my overall approach to the game. Every player has their own way of thinking. I would observe how others tackled the game—one might approach it one way, while I had a different perspective—and I’d question which approach was the best. By collecting different viewpoints and evaluating them, I was able to find the optimal path forward. Staying open to learning from others was key.
Another essential lesson was risk management, a cornerstone for long-term success. Avoiding high-risk scenarios where losses are more likely is vital; instead, it’s about making smart investments—putting in a small amount and growing it into something much larger.
A recent example of this was a win in Florida. The buy-in was $3,500, yet I ended up with a $500K win. It’s all about turning a modest investment into a substantial profit. This approach guides both my poker strategy and my investment mindset.
What event was the most significant for you and why?
Over the last few years, I’ve worked with a mindset performance coach who helped me identify my weaknesses and overcome limiting beliefs that were holding me back from achieving bigger things. Since starting this work, I’ve had some of my largest reloads, and we focused on simple yet powerful habits—things like showing up on time, getting good sleep, eating well, being prepared, and maintaining focus to keep my A-game for as long as possible. Thanks to this work, I had one of my biggest accomplishments a couple of years ago in Las Vegas, where I finished 3rd for $275K.
Just a few weeks ago, I achieved my biggest result yet, taking 1st place in Florida with a prize of $512K. During this time, I was able to recognize past mistakes and avoid repeating them. I saved chips in spots where I would usually have lost pots and maximized my gains in situations where I typically wouldn’t have earned much. By doing this, I was able to weather the inevitable storm when things didn’t go my way, stay composed, maintain my edge, and push forward toward the win.
Tell me about your day as a professional poker player
For example, last year, as I was preparing to play the GG Millions 25K, I reached a point in my career where I realized that to achieve things I had never done before, I needed to approach it differently than my competition. I knew I had to do things they weren’t doing.
I sought coaching from someone I believed to be the best in the world at online cash games. I absorbed his methods and study routines, taking in all the information he provided. I actually took two months off, bought the course, and dedicated that time entirely to studying in preparation for the 25K event.
My daily routine during that preparation period was intense—studying 6 to 8 hours a day. The coaching was expensive, but it paid for itself almost immediately. Afterward, I headed to the Bahamas feeling in the best shape I had ever been—in every sense. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, I felt ready. I ate well, trained for at least 45 minutes every day (a mix of football, running, and weights), and focused on maintaining balance.
Martins revealed to us that he will become a father at the end of April, and his plans this year include the WSOP this summer. However, his focus will be on his family first, and then on poker. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for you and wish you great success!
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