The following season was a moderately successful one for Martin, he reached the first round of the Pro Players Tournament, losing 3–5 to John Spencer. He then reached the first round of the 1982 UK Championship, losing again in the first round to Higgins by the same scoreline as the previous year. He then qualified for the 1983 World Championship, beating Murdo MacLeod 10–7 in the final qualifying round. At the Crucible Theatre, he lost in the first round 4–10 to Bill Werbeniuk.