In just a few short months, live poker streaming on Twitch has “blown-up,” taking a platform once dominated by video game programming and converting it into a hub for poker players worldwide. Jaime jaimestaplesStaples (commonly known as PokerStaples) has been instrumental in growing the Twitch live poker streaming industry. Via regular programming of his multi-table tournament activity on PokerStars, Full Tilt, PartyPoker, and 888Poker, Staples has quickly drawn a following of 13,700 viewers along with nearly 900,000 total page loads on his Twitch channel, Twitch.tv/pokerstaples.

PocketFives recently caught up with Staples, who launched the all-new PocketFives TV service on Thursday, January 29th, to talk about live poker streaming on the Twitch platform.

PocketFives: What is your poker background? When did you begin playing online poker seriously?

PokerStaples: I started playing poker five years ago on Zynga poker (Facebook). Eventually after getting tired of play money I made my way over to real money sites and things started from there. I played live and online poker for the last four years while in school and have now gone full time. Its tough to say at which point I became serious.

PocketFives: How did you get into live streaming?

PokerStaples: I stumbled across Jason Somerville and SetOverSet’s stream one evening. I thought it was really cool that people were interested in what they did (and what I do). I decided that streaming fit with my goals in poker and dived-in head first. Three months later here we are.

PocketFives: Can you describe the process of starting your own stream (hardware/software requirements)?

PokerStaples: It is really simple to start live streaming poker! You can download free OBSsoftware, set up a free Twitch account, click, and go. To put out a quality product that stands apart from the rest is really hard. There are a lot of tech problems that inevitably pop up along the journey of getting it all set up. In the end having a unique live poker stream is what makes you stand out from the rest and is worth the effort.

PocketFives: Can you pinpoint some of the factors that you believe have made your Twitch channel so popular in less than four months of live streaming?

PokerStaples: I think there are a bunch of formulas that work. I can’t comment on what will work for everyone but for myself: consistency, interaction, and being open as a person seems to be something people enjoy.

PocketFives: What are your goals for both poker and live Twitch streaming in 2015 and beyond?

PokerStaples: I want to become the tournament poker player and best broadcaster I can be. These are the two things that matter to me and I will be figuring out ways I can continue to improve at both of them.

PocketFives: What advice could you give to poker players who are considering broadcasting live streams on Twitch?

PokerStaples: I would say stick to it! Network with people around a similar size and try and figure out ways to improve or promote your stream within the community. Th number one Key though is streaming a lot.

PocketFives: How can viewers check out your show and contact you for coaching?

PokerStaples: My Twitch channel is Twitch.tv/pokerstaples. You can contact me by email with any coaching inquiries at pokerstaples@gmail.com. Feel free to come sample how I think about poker Tuesday thru Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday starting at 10:30AM EST.

PocketFives: Do you have any additional comments?

PokerStaples: Live streaming on Twitch is a really fresh and new feel to poker. There are people watching that don’t know the rankings of hands! I really hope that the online poker community embraces this new base of players.

Watch Jaime “PokerStaples” Staples five days per week at Twitch.tv/pokerstaples.
To contact Jaime about coaching, send an email to pokerstaples@gmail.com.

* Interested in streaming on PocketFives TV? Email: david@pocketfives.com