An increasing number of fans are tuning in to view live poker broadcasts on Twitch Twitch surpassing traditional media outlets like ESPN. Each day, millions globally log in to watch players interact, share laughs, and, of course, play poker .
This platform has emerged as a vital component of poker culture, drawing in enthusiasts who might not have otherwise considered poker. As a result, online poker operators have started to take interest, including 888poker . These companies have launched their own streaming channels and talent lineups.
These operators view Twitch as a strategic avenue to attract new players and foster the growth of the game as a whole. Streamers on Twitch often showcase remarkable skills, with engaging personalities and strategic insights that can draw substantial followings.
Let’s take a closer look at ten notable Twitch Poker streamers.
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Twitch History
Twitch was introduced in 2011 as a venue for gamers to watch and learn from others playing video games. Similar to sports enthusiasts, gamers could follow the elite players' matches while picking up tips along the way.
In 2013, Amazon purchased the platform with ambitions to branch out beyond gaming. This acquisition significantly improved streamers' capabilities to monetize through subscriptions and advertisements, enhancing the overall experience.
The new monetization model enabled streamers to start earning income as the platform expanded its reach.
Poker was added to the platform, with poker professional Jason Somerville being among the pioneers to embrace it. The surge in the platform's popularity rapidly brought in more viewers and streamers.
Currently, millions flock to watch poker streams on Twitch daily. Players showcase their unique styles and skills in their broadcasts.
Online poker operators and tours have also embraced the streaming trend.
| Now, every major online poker tour and operator has appointed their own Twitch streamers . They use this medium to broadcast final tables, run promotions, connect with players, and more, with some sites even streaming live events. |
Twitch has solidified its role as a crucial element of the evolving poker ecosystem.
Twitch Poker Streamers
Identifying the top poker streamers can be challenging given the overwhelming number currently broadcasting on the platform.
Choosing favorites in this context is a largely subjective exercise.
Let's examine some of the most well-received Twitch streamers, analyzed on their popularity. We utilized various sources like Twitch Metrics to assess metrics including fan engagement, industry significance, and entertainment quality.
1 – Jason Somerville
Though he may not stream as frequently anymore, Somerville is often credited with igniting the Twitch streaming movement within the poker community. He transitioned his Run It Up series to Twitch in 2014, having initially started it as a bankroll challenge.
Run It Up's initial purpose was to grow a bankroll from $50 to $1,000 through online gameplay. However, on Twitch, it blossomed into a comprehensive poker brand built on that fundamental idea.
Somerville quickly rose to become Twitch's most prominent streamer and even expanded his brand with Run It Up merchandise.
His poker expertise, along with an engaging personality, endeared him to many viewers. While he has reduced his streaming activity in recent years, the archives of his shows continue to attract viewers, and Run It Up proudly boasts 230,000 subscribers.
? Games: Cash games, tournaments, live competitions
? Highlights: Viewers can watch live events featuring Run It Up
? Entertainment value: A blend of fun and insightful strategies
? Strategy tips: Real-time guidance from a renowned poker professional
2 – Lex Veldhuis
This poker star stands among the most followed Twitch Poker streamers worldwide, with a following that exceeds 280,000 subscribers. Veldhuis launched his streaming channel in 2016 and quickly won over Twitch audiences.
His appeal lies not only in his high-stakes gameplay but also in his charismatic personality.
Hailing from the Netherlands, Veldhuis excels at breaking down his gameplay and sharing his thought process with viewers. As a professional for 16 years, he has amassed approximately $700,000 in live tournament earnings, in addition to even more from online play.
Similar to Somerville, Veldhuis has cultivated a growing brand encompassing sponsorships and merchandise ventures.
This Twitch sensation has set several records, including a remarkable peak of 58,799 viewers during a significant online event in 2020 while he was making a deep run in the tournament.
Ultimately finishing 15th, he became the most-watched stream across the entire Twitch platform at that moment.
? Games: High stakes tournaments
? Highlights: Major victories and significant tournament achievements
? Entertainment value: A rollercoaster of poker emotions, showcasing the wins and losses
? Strategy tips: Insightful perspectives on the realities of live poker tables
3 – Daniel Negreanu
As a globally recognized poker figure, Negreanu consistently draws large crowds to his streams. Unlike many others mentioned, Negreanu predominantly shares his gameplay on YouTube and Periscope (via Twitter).
His streams gather an impressive audience – boasting about 1 million subscribers.
In addition to his popularity, Negreanu openly shares his thoughts and emotions during streams, making his content both entertaining and educational. He often recounts memorable stories from his long-standing poker career.
Known as Kid Poker, he frequently streams action during major online tournament series, including the WSOP. Over recent years, he has produced high-quality vlogs while participating live in the WSOP events in Las Vegas.
He has leveraged his platform to showcase his notable online encounters with Doug Polk , drawing in tens of thousands of viewers.
? Games: Major tournament series
? Highlights: Engaging streams paired with entertaining vlogs during the annual WSOP
? Entertainment value: Lots of laughs
? Strategy tips: “Old School vs New School” segments that reflect on the evolution of poker strategies
4 – Jeff Gross
Originally hailing from Ann Arbor, Michigan, this poker pro has successfully transformed his Twitch stream into a full-fledged brand, encompassing a popular podcast and more.
His Twitch broadcasts emphasize both fun and strategic elements.
Gross, who has gathered $3.4 million in live tournament winnings, captivates viewers with personal anecdotes and stories from his poker journey, highlighting major live tournament series.
Currently, his stream has attracted over 84,000 subscribers.
“It’s entertainment, it’s fun,” he told WPT.com In 2019, he articulated, “It’s a live stream, where I offer a range of content about poker – from start to finish – family life intertwined with the poker experience.”
? Games: Major online tournaments, often juggling multiple at once across different poker formats
? Highlights: Deep tournament runs across various events
? Entertainment value: Smooth delivery, engaging interaction with viewers
? Strategy tips: Offers mental strategies in addition to live gameplay insights
5 – Kevin “K-Mart” Martin
This Canadian streamer offers a unique perspective on both poker and streaming, having previously appeared on Canada's version of Big Brother. He began his poker journey in 2014 and quickly immersed himself in strategic studies.
Martin left his job and became a full-time player just three months later, accumulating over $300,000 in live tournament earnings.
With a background in radio, Martin excels at captivating an audience with his smooth speaking style, maintaining professionalism while also serving as a commentator in online events.
On Twitter, he has surpassed 109,000 followers and describes his streaming style as “laid-back” and “easy to relate to.”
? Games: High-profile online series
? Highlights: Fun promotions, such as the promise of $500 in Bitcoin for a follower who finds him achieving a $10,000 win
? Entertainment value: Excellent at narrating the action during gameplay
? Strategy tips: Offers detailed analysis and discusses hypothetical scenarios – “the mental aspects you ponder,” he remarked during a recent stream.
6 – Fintan “easywithaces” Hand
This player from Ireland brings more than just luck to the table; he possesses impressive poker skills and has garnered a following by blending personality with strategic insights, often accompanied by music.
With a laid-back yet engaging demeanor, Hand has attracted a strong following of 114,000 subscribers.
With $52,000 in live tournament earnings, he’s achieved significant success while thriving in online poker’s prominent scenes, all while entertaining his Amazed Twitch audience.
? Games: Online tournament series
? Highlights: Noteworthy wins during his streams, along with pleasing musical selections
? Entertainment value: Conversational style throughout his broadcasts
? Strategy tips: He explains his decision-making processes as they occur, enriching the viewers' understanding.
7 – Johan “YoH_ViraL” Guilbert
This French poker professional has become one of the most viewed and popular streamers in the poker community, particularly within the French-speaking audience.
With undeniable poker expertise, he boasts $2 million in live tournament earnings, supplemented by even greater success in online poker.
In 2019, Guilbert narrowly missed out on a WSOP bracelet, finishing second in a $10,000 WSOP Shootout event, taking home $128,042.
During the summer of 2021, he achieved a remarkable milestone in his poker career by winning a prestigious event at the Super High Roller Bowl Europe, taking home a prize of $560,000 from a $25,000 tournament.
Guilbert has an impressive 84,000 followers on Twitch, where he regularly streams a variety of poker content. He shares his authentic poker experiences with his audience, including trips where high-stakes games take place.
? Game categories: High-stakes poker, major online tournaments
? Highlights: A look into his poker life
? Entertainment factor: Lively and engaging broadcasting style
? Strategic insights: Tailored analysis catering to French-speaking viewers
8 – Hristivoje “AllInPav” Pavlovic
Since he began streaming poker in 2015, this Austrian player has cultivated a substantial following. Each month, Pavlovic invests approximately $200,000 of his personal funds into poker, inviting his viewers to experience his journey of ups and downs.
In his bio, he enthusiastically invites followers, stating, 'Join me as I navigate the thrilling world of poker and climb the ranks with excitement.'
His compelling narrative resonates with many, as AllInPav shares valuable tips on achieving success in the professional poker scene and offers realistic expectations of full-time poker play.
He emphasized on a live stream back in 2021, 'Poker isn't a sprint; it's about maintaining a sustainable approach over time.'
He’s undoubtedly accomplished that.
? Games: PLO, high stakes events
? Highlights: Cash games coaching
? Entertainment factor: A blend of various events and poker games
? Strategic insights: Insightful commentary on life as an online poker professional
9 – Felipe “FelipeMojave” Ramos
In recent years, Brazil has gained recognition as an emerging hub for online poker talent, with numerous champions, including Felipe Ramos.
Ramos plays a significant role within Brazil's poker community, becoming a key figure in shaping it.
With over $2.6 million in earnings from live poker games, Ramos brings a wealth of experience to his Twitch stream, which appeals strongly to Portuguese-speaking audiences. He achieved a notable success in 2021, finishing as a runner-up in a $1,000 tournament, earning $476,612 .
His Twitch channel boasts more than 30,000 followers and combines poker play with humor, creating an entertaining atmosphere.
? Game categories: Various poker games and notable tournaments
? Highlights: High rollers
? Entertainment factor: Occasional mixes of heavy metal and Brazilian music
? Strategic insights: Certain clips showcase his impressive decision-making skills during significant hands
10 – Adam “Eklo” Tocholke
Are you searching for an intriguing member of the 888poker StreamTeam ? The company underwent a major transformation in 2021, bringing in unique players to enhance their lineup. Twitch channel Some of the standout streamers include:
Canadian Adam “ Eklo ” Tocholke transitioned to poker streaming from a successful career as a musician and producer.
- Dave “ New_Dave ” Gibson
- Nick “ eastyyy22 ” Eastwood
- Vivian “ ViviSaliba ” Saliba, and others
His audience enjoys the blending of musical and poker elements, resulting in a niche following that continues to grow.
Casual players might appreciate Eklo's relatable and down-to-earth style toward the game.
? Game categories: Primarily poker, complemented by music and gaming content
? Highlights: Provides valuable insights for newcomers, creating a sense of camaraderie as if you're playing alongside him
? Entertainment factor: Laid-back atmosphere paired with great music and engaging poker action
? Strategic insights: Engages viewers in discussions about weighing options during play
Sean Chaffin is a dedicated freelance writer living in Ruidoso, New Mexico. His expertise spans poker and gambling topics, the casino industry, and beyond. You can find him on Twitter at @PokerTraditions or reach out via email at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net.