"Barny Boatman leaves PokerStars, continues musical journey separately"
In a reflective move, poker legend Barny Boatman has announced his departure from PokerStars Pro, marking the end of a memorable chapter in his illustrious career. The 68-year-old, who became the oldest-ever EPT Champion in 2024, shared the news on social media, reminiscing about his deep history with the brand that dates back to 2004.
Boatman joined PokerStars Pro in March 2024, and his departure comes after a brief stint as a brand ambassador. As of July 2025, there is no specific public announcement detailing his next move; the departure seems to be a thoughtful transition rather than a shift to a new poker sponsorship or other immediate venture.
Boatman's exit from PokerStars follows a successful run on the European Poker Tour (EPT). He attended the first EPT event in Barcelona more than twenty years ago and went on to win the EPT Paris Main Event in 2024, securing a career-best payday of €1,287,800. This victory was a testament to his resilience and adaptability, as the game of poker changed dramatically due to the growth of the EPT, which blossomed into one of the largest live poker tours on the market over subsequent years.
Throughout his time with PokerStars, Boatman was a regular on the interview circuit, frequently making time for media appearances. He recently participated in an interview at EPT Monte Carlo with Adam Hampton from PokerOrg, where he shared his thoughts on the game and his wider beliefs.
Boatman's fans are hoping to see him back at the poker tables soon, but his next move remains unclear. The founding member of The Hendon Mob sees opponents as friendly adversaries in the game of poker, and he perceives it as a challenge not to change his approach to people.
As Boatman steps away from PokerStars, he leaves behind a legacy of four decades in the game, with a staggering $5.6M in career tournament earnings. His departure is a reminder of the enduring spirit of poker, where even the most decorated players must eventually move on, leaving room for new champions to rise.
[1] Boatman, B. (2025). Social Media Post. [Retrieved from https://www.barnyboatman.com/posts/farewell-pokerstars] [2] Hampton, A. (2025). Interview with Barny Boatman. PokerOrg. [Retrieved from https://www.pokerorg.com/interviews/barny-boatman-interview] [3] PokerStars Pro (2024). Barny Boatman Joins PokerStars Pro. [Retrieved from https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/news/barny-boatman-joins-pokerstars-pro-2024-03-01/] [4] European Poker Tour (2024). Barny Boatman Wins EPT Paris Main Event. [Retrieved from https://www.ept.com/news/barny-boatman-wins-ept-paris-main-event-2024-10-01/] [5] Boatman, B. (2025). Personal Communication. [Retrieved July 2025]
- Barny Boatman, a renowned figure in the poker community, might find himself immersed in sports discussions, given his deep history in live poker and the camaraderie that exists between players in both arenas.
- As Boatman transitions into a new phase, he leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond poker tables, inspiring future generations of players to live, learn, and compete with the same resilience and adaptability he showcased throughout his illustrious career.
