Eric Mertens

Eric Mertens is a Dutch poker player and media professional from Vlaardingen, Netherlands, now residing in Gouda, South Holland. He balances a career in poker journalism with competitive tournament play, having cashed in events across four countries. Mertens is best known for his role as a writer and editor at CasinoNieuws.nl, a leading Dutch gambling news portal, and for his contributions to PokerNews.

Born in Vlaardingen, Mertens attended HAVO secondary school from 1999 to 2005. His early exposure to poker led him to pursue both the game and a career in poker media.

Mertens has been an active tournament player, with results recorded in multiple countries. His most notable live cash came in December 2025 when he won the €125 No-Limit Hold'em Single Re-Entry event at an undisclosed venue. The tournament drew 144 entries (113 unique players), creating a prize pool of €13,245. Mertens secured a four-way deal to finish first for €2,224, edging out Alexandros Batiridis (€2,223) and other finalists including Ricardo Abma and Bastiaan de Jonge.

According to the Poker Media Power Rankings, he has cashed in four countries, underlining his ability to travel and compete internationally. While detailed results from major series like the WSOP or EPT are not publicly documented, his consistent presence in the Dutch poker scene suggests a steady, competitive trajectory.

Mertens has worked in poker media for over a decade. He started as a journalist under his own brand, Eric Mertens Media, in August 2015. In October 2020, he joined CasinoNieuws.nl as a writer, contributing articles on gambling regulation, poker events, and industry news. He has also written for PokerNews, covering series like the online poker XL Inferno in 2020.

His LinkedIn profile highlights over a decade of experience in journalism, with a focus on gambling and casinos. He describes himself as a journalist and writer, and his work has been cited in legal discussions about online gambling rulings in the Netherlands.

Mertens is active on Twitter (@EricMMedia) and Instagram (@ericm10), where he shares updates on poker and his media work. He maintains a professional network through LinkedIn, where he engages with industry peers and shares articles.

Though detailed hand histories are scarce, Mertens's performance in the €125 event shows he can close out tournaments under pressure. His background as a poker journalist likely gives him a deep analytical understanding of the game. He is regarded as a solid, informed player within the Dutch community, but he is not typically categorized as an aggressive high-roller or online crusher.

Eric Mertens represents a unique hybrid in poker: a player who also covers the game professionally. His dual career allows him to contribute to the poker ecosystem both as a competitor and as a reporter, offering insights from inside the felt and the newsroom.