Arctic air brought Storm Goretti to the Emerald Isle at the start of the year. Luckily I was nestled warmly in the comforts of the Green Isle Hotel, Dublin. Watching the final stages of the Main Event at the IPT Final 2025. As is the case at every poker festival I began chatting to someone I hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting before. Talking about how the final was progressing and which roads would be best to take if the snow continued. Then a few months later I saw him acting like McGregor at the Dublin Poker Festival, walking away with two belts. I thought who better to grab for a chat than Mark Johnston.

Born and raised in Larne, Mark grew up like many others playing football in his younger years before poker eventually took over. What started as a casual interest quickly became something much more serious. Outside of poker there are not many distractions, with Mark admitting that the game has become his main focus over the years.

Just recently turning 23, Mark has been playing poker seriously for roughly six years. While that may seem like a relatively short time, much of his experience comes from a heavy volume of online and live cash games, where he built his bankroll and developed his understanding of the game. Unlike many players who chase tournament results early, his path has been firmly rooted in the cash game.

Talking about his preference between formats, Mark leans heavily towards live poker. The social aspect is a big factor, but more importantly he believes it offers greater profitability. In his view, live poker allows players to exploit opponents far more effectively, whereas online games tend to be tougher and more structured, with players sticking closer to theory and playing by the book.

That idea of exploiting opponents is central to his approach. Mark is a strong advocate of adapting to the players in front of you rather than trying to blindly follow GTO principles. He feels many players misunderstand the concept, attempting to apply theory in games where it simply does not fit. In softer live fields, he believes the real edge comes from identifying weaknesses and adjusting accordingly.

Before poker fully took over, Mark had an interest in the mathematical side of gambling. He spent time learning card counting in blackjack at a young age, developing an understanding of probabilities and edges that would later translate well into poker.

Over the years, poker has taken him into some unique situations. One of the more notable experiences came through playing in private online games involving wealthy international players, particularly within Chinese player pools. These games, often high action and unpredictable, proved to be extremely profitable despite some questionable dynamics at the tables.

Live poker has also brought its share of memorable moments. While playing at the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Monte-Carlo held in the Salle des Étoiles (2024). Mark found himself sharing the table with Sergio Aguero, a moment that stands out as one of the more surreal experiences of his poker journey.

Talking about his biggest achievements in poker, Mark pointed to his deep run in the Irish Open where he finished third (€232,685). Having only recently committed fully to poker at the time, it marked a breakthrough moment in his career. Despite the scale of the stage and the pressure that comes with a major final table, he remained composed throughout, something that reflects his overall approach to the game.

Image by Danny Maxwell

At just 21 years of age at the time, it was a standout performance and one that caught the attention of many across the circuit. While Mark himself was quick to downplay the emotions in the moment, describing it as something he handled relatively calmly, the result itself speaks volumes. Coming through a staggering field of 3,233 players in one of Europe’s most prestigious events, it cemented his reputation as a serious player and added a major score to his record early in his career.

When it comes to preparation, Mark keeps things simple. He prefers to drive to events whenever possible, using the time on the road to clear his head and get into the right mindset. While not particularly superstitious, he does have a small routine of listening to artists like Billy Joel and Elton John on the way to major stops, something that has become a habit over time.

Looking ahead, the focus is on consistency. Having previously gone through periods of intense poker play followed by time off, Mark is now aiming for a more balanced approach, playing regularly without burning out. With a mix of festivals and cash games on the schedule, the goal is to maintain steady volume while continuing to build on the foundations he has already put in place.

For those starting out in the game, his advice is straightforward. Begin online, build experience, and then transition into live poker. Most importantly, learn to adapt. In a game where no two opponents are the same, he believes the players who can adjust the quickest are the ones who ultimately come out on top.

With early successes and a clear and concise game plan, Mark is not just carving out a path in the poker world, he has mapped out the road to the top.