Martin turned professional in 1980 by beating Eugene Hughes 9–6 in the final of the 1980 Professional Ticket Event, and reached the first round of the World Championship the same season, losing 4–10 to Bill Werbeniuk. The next season, he reached the semi-final of the International Open, beating Bill Werbeniuk 5–2, Eddie Charlton 5–2, and Graham Miles 5–1, before losing 1–9 to Dennis Taylor. He followed this up by beating Eddie Sinclair 9–7, to qualify for the UK Championship, where he lost in the first round to Alex Higgins. He once again qualified for the World Championship in 1982, losing once again in the first round, this time to Graham Miles 5-10.