If you like mixed games and actually enjoy the people at the table, you’re going to like Martin Smith, better known on Phenom as Owl4Ever.

Martin’s been playing poker since 1998, back when he realized pretty quickly the house couldn’t be beaten but other players could. That discovery led him from casino floors in England to a lifelong love of poker, especially mixed games. And when we say mixed, we mean mixed. Dramaha, Sviten, Anaconda, wild card games, and anything else that keeps things interesting. He even wrote a book on Pot Limit Sviten Special, which tells you everything you need to know.

Originally from Sheffield and now living in Gozo, Malta, Martin is retired after a career as Head of Internal Audit for a national UK charity. These days he splits his time between live and online play, long sessions, good conversations, and soaking up everything that makes poker fun beyond just the money.

He’s big on respect at the table, loves the social side of the game, and is the kind of player who’s happy grinding a session while listening to podcasts, having a beer, and enjoying the moment. When he’s not playing, he’s spending time with his wife Ann, their family, and their two Shih Tzus, Betsy and Millie. He also co-hosts the Poker: All The Games podcast, which is must-listen stuff if you’re into anything outside straight Hold’em.

Martin “Owl4Ever” Smith

Name: Martin Smith

Screen name: Owl4Ever

Creator links: All The Games podcast.

What do you specialize in: Mixed games. The more variety in the mix the better: give me all the Dramahas, add stuff like Anaconda, Il Bella y Il Cattiva, Anaconda, and maybe some wild card games.

Occupation: Retired – I was Head of Internal Audit for a national charity in the UK before moving to Malta.

City residing in: Nadur, Gozo – Gozo is the second island of Malta.

Tell us about your Family: My wife is Ann, and we have two grown-up children, both married. Tom lives in Armagh, Northern Ireland, and Charlotte in a village near Warwick, England.

Pets: Two Shih Tzu dogs, Betsy and Millie.

How long have you been playing poker: Since 1998.

What drew you to poker: I had been introduced to my local casino in Sheffield, England by a friend. Having been a few times and realized the house cannot be beaten, I noticed that at 9:30 every evening the gaming floor would basically empty because all these degenerate gamblers went off to play a poker tournament. Not able to beat the house, I decided to try my hand at beating these other folks and learned the game they were playing – Pot Limit Texas Hold Em.

Favorite poker game: Pot Limit Sviten Special – I have even written a book on the game! Hopefully Phenom will add the game as an option, it is popular in Europe both as a cash game and as a tournament format. The game is basically Dramaha, but if one chooses to take one card at the draw, the dealer offers an open card for everyone to see – this can be accepted or discarded, in the latter case the next card is given face down.

Favorite starting hand: Royal Flush. I’m playing Sviten, of course!

Live or online: Both at the same time when I can. But really, live is my favourite, the social side of the game is what I love the most.

Favorite poker room: Portomaso Casino, Malta. Elsewhere in Europe I also love the Chesterfield Club, Tallinn and Banco Casino, Bratislava.

Poker Pro you admire most: Benny Glaser. Mixed games serial winner who always seems cheerful and respectful. Tobias Leknes a close second for exactly the same characteristics.

Biggest poker win: €4,700 in a No Limit Texas Hold Em tournament at Oracle Casino, Malta.

Best poker experience: Robbie Strazynski’s Mixed Games Festival at Resorts World, Las Vegas. Had an absolute blast, met some wonderful people, some well known and others not so well known but all of them unforgettably enjoyable to spend time with around the felt. And boy did I spend some time – more than one 20-hour session included!

Poker pet peeve: Players who disrespect or have no empathy for the dealers.

If you could sit down with any 5 people to play poker with, who would you pick: Ali Nejad and Norman Chad (I met them both at the Mixed Games Festival and they are two of the best), my long time friend Sonny Parsan, Jennifer Tilly and my wife Ann. This would be an amazing table, all fun and no egos.

Phenom Nemesis (all in fun): Carmanhani.

What brought you to Phenom: I was invited by tells expert Zachary Elwood, and when I saw the mixed games offering I couldn’t say no.

Hobbies outside of poker: Football (soccer to Americans), food, drink, spending time with my family and my dogs, reading, swimming in the sea in summer.

Favorite sports teams: Sheffield Wednesday Football Club – nickname The Owls, hence my screen name.

Favorite types of music and bands to listen to: Wide range, typical artists I like are The Clash, Bob Marley and The Wailers, Richard Hawley, Cowboy Junkies, Warren Zevon to name but a few.

Favorite TV show: Blue Lights – police drama set in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Favorite meal: Oven-cooked Gurbell (Meagre fish) with roasted potatoes Maltese style with fennel seeds and roasted seasonal vegetables, Pinot Grigio to drink.

What are you usually doing when playing online: Listening to podcasts, eating snacks, drinking beer.

Any final words: Enjoy Every Sandwich (quoting Warren Zevon). I’m co-host of the Poker: All The Games podcast. Come check it out!

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