Martin De Knijff

Martin De Knijff, also known as “The Knife”, is a Swedish poker player born on October 2nd, 1972, in Gothenburg, Sweden. He is currently based in Las Vegas. As the founder and chairman of the board of Metric Gaming, he previously served as its chief executive officer. Knijff is also a sports bettor and consultant, with nearly $4 million in tournament earnings. In April 2004, he won the WPT Championship title at Bellagio in Las Vegas, taking home a first-place prize of $2,728,356. He has also contributed articles, columns, and blogs for CardPlayer. Currently, he ranks seventh on Sweden’s All-Time Money List.

Martin De Knijff: Early Life

Martin De Knijff was born on October 2nd, 1972, in Gothenburg, Sweden, but he grew up in Falkenberg, Holland. His family moved there when he was just five years old. After completing his education, Martin left for Stockholm in 1992 and eventually settled in Las Vegas, where he currently resides. Martin’s Dutch surname comes from his father, who hailed from the Netherlands.

From an early age, Martin showed a keen interest in games. He became a life master in bridge and started betting on sports as a teenager. At the age of 15, Martin began playing poker with friends at school. His passion for the game deepened when he purchased Doyle Brunson‘s “Super/System”, a book he credits as essential to his success. To enhance his skills, Martin also reviews recordings of his tournament play, allowing him to develop tailored strategies for each opponent.

Martin De Knijff: Live Tournament Participation

Martin De Knijff recorded his first live cash in October 1996. He participated in the £500 Hold’em Main Event at the October Festival in London. De Knijff finished 3rd, earning $6,448.

Moving forward to May 2002, he competed in a $10,000 Championship Event at the 33rd WSOP in Las Vegas. Martin took 13th place and claimed $60,000. 

Two years later, in April 2004, he had his best live cash by winning the $25,000 WPT No Limit Hold’em Championship at the World Poker Tour Championship in Las Vegas. He won a whopping $2,728,356.

In May 2004, he finished 2nd in a $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em event at the 35th WSOP, taking home $210,100. 

A decade later, in September 2014, he placed 2nd in a $49,000 + $1,000 No Limit Hold’em Super High Roller at the Aria $100k Super High Roller 3 in Las Vegas, receiving $404,250 in prize money.

His most recent live tournament participation was in July 2024. He entered in a $10,000 No Limit Hold’em event at the 55th WSOP in Las Vegas. Martin finished 892nd and pocketed $22,500.

Conclusion

Martin De Knijff, known as “The Knife,” has made a significant impact in the poker world, combining his expertise in sports betting and gaming. With nearly $4 million in tournament earnings and a prestigious WPT Championship title, he stands as one of Sweden’s top players, actively contributing to the evolution of the game he is passionate about.