Martin Staszko

Martin Staszko was born on 22 June 1976 in Třinec, Czech Republic. His father Rudolf worked at the Třinec Iron and Steel Works, while his mother Žofie was a pharmacist. As a child, Staszko was an accomplished athlete, becoming the long jump champion of his Polish primary school in Třinec. During high school, he began playing mariáš (a traditional Czech card game) and betting on sports. He later studied at the Technical University of Ostrava, where he supported himself through gambling, saving approximately CZK 400,000 (€14,000) annually. During his university years, he also became champion of the Czech university darts league and was a successful chess player. Staszko has remarked that chess taught him endurance for long sessions, noting that poker requires less preparation and offers higher earnings.

After graduating, Staszko worked at the Třinec Iron and Steel Works and later as a foreman at a Hyundai automobile manufacturing plant in Nošovice, managing around 200 workers and earning roughly CZK 30,000 (€1,200) per month. He started playing poker in 2007, initially in free online games that provided minimal returns. He would wake at 5 a.m., work 12-hour shifts, then play poker late into the night, leaving only four to five hours for sleep. In one night online, he won the equivalent of six months' salary. In 2010, after winning €35,000 in a tournament in France, he decided to leave his job to focus on poker full-time.

Staszko's most notable achievement came at the 2011 World Series of Poker, where he entered the $10,000 Main Event. He navigated a massive field to reach the final table, then outlasted several opponents to make the final three. On November 9, 2011, he faced Pius Heinz heads-up for the championship. Although Staszko played a disciplined style, he ultimately finished second, earning $5,433,086 (€3.98 million). The runner-up prize remains the largest cash of his career. The event was broadcast on ESPN and brought him international recognition. Following this performance, Staszko joined Team PokerStars in November 2011.

Beyond the WSOP Main Event, Staszko has recorded numerous other deep runs. In 2010, he finished 11th in the PokerStars European Poker Tour Deauville Main Event for $49,313. At EPT Season X Barcelona in 2013, he placed 25th for $38,700. The following year, he finished 9th in a €10,300 Eight-Max event at EPT Deauville for $37,729. One of his best results came in December 2015 at the Eureka Prague event, where he finished second in a €1,100 No-Limit Hold'em tournament for $188,134. He also cashed in the 2011 WSOP Main Event aside, he has 13 WSOP money finishes overall, with total WSOP earnings exceeding $5.6 million. On the World Poker Tour, he has three cashes totaling $31,727. As of 2025, his live tournament earnings are over $6.5 million, placing him third on the Czech Republic all-time money list. He reached a career-best rank of 53rd on the All Time Money List.

Staszko is known for a tight-aggressive (TAG) style, with an emphasis on hand selection, positional play, and patience. He often prefers value betting over bluffing and focuses on minimizing risk while capitalizing on opponents' mistakes. His background in chess contributed to his ability to endure long, deep-stacked sessions. He is recognized as a disciplined player with strong bankroll management.

Staszko continues to reside in Třinec, Czech Republic. He has been a role model for aspiring Czech poker players, demonstrating that discipline and hard work can lead to success on the global stage. Although he has not won a WSOP bracelet, his runner-up finish in the Main Event remains a hallmark of his career and a highlight of Czech poker history. He remains active in live tournaments, occasionally cashing in smaller events and mixed games.