Martin Jacobson

Martin Jacobson was born on 30 June 1987 in Stockholm, Sweden. Before pursuing poker professionally, he studied to become a chef and worked aboard a Swedish Royal Navy ship. He began playing poker during high school and later honed his skills online in internet cafes. In 2008, he won a seat to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas through an online satellite, marking his first trip to the series. Although he was eliminated early, the experience solidified his determination to improve.

Jacobson's first live tournament cash came in 2008 when he finished third in the European Poker Tour (EPT) event in Hungary. He quickly established himself as a rising star on the European circuit, combining mathematical precision with patient play.

In Season 7 of the EPT, Jacobson made three final tables, including two runner-up finishes: at the EPT Vilamoura in 2010 and the EPT Deauville in 2011. He also finished second in the 2009 World Poker Tour (WPT) Venice Main Event, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest levels across multiple tours.

His largest cash before winning the Main Event came at the 2013 WSOP, where he finished sixth in the $111,111 Big One for One Drop High Roller, earning $807,427. That result showcased his skill in elite, high-stakes fields.

The defining moment of Jacobson's career came at the 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event. The tournament drew 6,683 entrants, creating a prize pool of over $62 million. Jacobson ended Day 1A as the chip leader and navigated the field with consistent play. He entered the November Nine as the eighth-largest stack but methodically climbed to the final heads-up duel against fellow Scandinavian Felix Stephensen.

Jacobson held the chip lead at the start of heads-up play. On the 35th hand, with the board showing 3♠ 9♣ 10♣ K♦ 4♣, Jacobson's 10♥ 10♦ held against Stephensen's A♥ 9♥ to win the title and the $10,000,000 first prize. The victory made him the first Swedish champion in the event's history and remains the fifth-largest single payout in poker tournament history.

After winning the Main Event, Jacobson continued to achieve notable results. In 2017, he final-tabled the $111,111 High Roller for One Drop (finishing sixth) and the $10,000 Tag Team Championship (also sixth). At the 2018 WSOP, he placed fifth in the $10,000 Marathon event for $155,062. He has also cashed in numerous other WSOP events, accumulating 39 career WSOP cashes for a combined $12.15 million.

In December 2017, Jacobson joined 888poker as a brand ambassador, representing the site at live events and online. He has also been active in online poker under the screen name "M.nosbocaJ" on PokerStars.

As of early 2026, his total live tournament earnings exceed $18 million, ranking him among the top Swedish players of all time.

Jacobson is known for a tight-aggressive (TAG) style, excelling in deep-stack phases by leveraging position and range advantage. He emphasizes mathematical analysis and psychological control over intuition, avoiding unnecessary variance in high-pressure situations. His patience and emotional control were particularly evident during the 2014 Main Event, where he managed to stay calm and make precise decisions over the long grind.

He is also a strong advocate for effective altruism through poker. Jacobson is a member of Raising for Effective Giving, an organization of poker players who pledge at least 2% of gross tournament winnings and 3% of cash game profits to cost-effective charities. He donated a portion of his Main Event winnings to this cause.

In February 2015, Jacobson was named Player of the Year by the Swedish publication Poker.se, a title previously awarded to players like Viktor Blom, Chris Björin, and Robin Ylitalo. He is widely regarded as Sweden's poker ambassador, inspiring a new generation of Nordic players with his disciplined approach and historic Main Event win.

In 2025, Jacobson continued to compete in WSOP events, making multiple cashes. At the 2025 WSOP, he finished 285th in Event #37: $1,500 MONSTER STACK for $7,629, and 52nd in Event #62: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed for $15,722. In December 2025, he placed 43rd in WSOP Paradise Event #6: $5,000 Super COLOSSUS NLH for $12,600. In 2026, Jacobson had a strong showing at the WSOP, finishing runner-up in Event #56: $3,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em for $327,370, and 13th in Event #79: $3,000 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em for $37,990. These results demonstrate his continued competitiveness at the highest levels.

Despite being born in Stockholm, Sweden, Jacobson has resided in London, England for many years. He currently lives there with his family. He is known to be a private person, but has spoken about the importance of balance between poker and family life. Jacobson is also an avid supporter of the English football club Arsenal.