ortmann was born and raised in gelsenkirchen, germany. at age six he began playing on a pool table in his parents' restaurant. ortmann won his first event in 1985 at age 17 (the 8-ball junior european championships), defeating sweden's per anda in the final. the following year he won his first german national championship (the straight pool championship), after meeting thomas engert in the final. ortmann studied in munich to become an electronics technician, and at age 20 he became the manager of a billiard centre with 80 pool and billiard tables.