His nickname originates from when, as a teenager, he escaped several rival football fans by jumping into a polar bear pit.
However he first gained public notoriety by finishing runner-up in the £300 Pot Limit Hold-Em event at the Victoria Casino in London in 1997.
The next year he won the $150 Pot Limit Hold-Em tournament in Dundee, Scotland, which included a rare final table appearance by Late Night Poker commentator Nic Szeremeta.
In 2004 he won the No Limit Hold-Em tournament at the Crown Australasian Poker Championship in Melbourne, defeating a final table including Peter "The Poet" Costa, "Barmy" Barny Boatman and "Cowboy" Kenna James.
[6] In addition to playing tournaments, Marty was also a consultant for Matchroom Sports, the Floor Manager for the PartyPoker Den and an online player for NoblePoker.