162 – Michael Loncar – From Tilt to Triumph
Summary:
Michael Loncar has been a professional poker player since 2007, quickly making a name for himself online, especially in Sit & Go tournaments. By 2010, he was the world’s most profitable online 6-Max Sit & Go player. After Black Friday, he shifted to live cash games, but returned to tournaments in 2014, winning the Ante Up NorCal Classic Main Event.
He continued to find tournament success, including a notable finish at the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Main Event in 2015 and another win at the Ante Up NorCal Classic in 2016.
Loncar joined ACR as a Team Pro in 2020 after winning a significant event in 2018. Besides playing, he offers poker training services and streams on Twitch, balancing his professional life with time spent with his family in Folsom, California.
Time Stamped Show Notes:
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[00:34] Welcome to the show…
- 01:13 A journey from childhood poker games to a disciplined approach transforming passion into profit
- 04:18 A tale of unbridled success, costly lessons, and the discipline required to navigate the highs and lows of life and poker
- 07:08 Embracing a positive mindset and discipline as the true underpinnings of success, both in poker and life
[10:56] Reflecting on the power of positivity in a landscape where negativity and misplaced self-assessment often dictate outcomes.
- 13:29 The transformative power of positive thinking and resilience in overcoming adversity and maintaining high performance
- 15:11 Balancing resilience and adaptability in poker’s demanding landscape
- 17:40 Finding love and grounding transformed a challenging poker career into a family-focused success story
[20:00] Meeting his wife with $3,000 to his name led to a turning point, winning $138,000 in a poker tournament and proving love and self-belief can change everything.
- 26:48 Mindset and self-belief, shaped through repetition and positivity, are as crucial as technical skill in achieving success
- 30:25 Emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, taking breaks, and maintaining balance to prevent burnout and promote positive mindset in poker and beyond
- 37:15 Adopt brief pregame visualization routines for resilience and a positive mindset, crucial for long-term success in poker and life’s challenges
[42:49] Setting realistic goals, avoiding burnout through breaks, and the psychological advantage of positive visualization and preparation
- 48:07 Missing out on cashing in a $50,000 tournament was heartbreaking. Yet, observing top players like Phil Ivey and Stephen Chidwick fueled a burning ambition to reach that elite level regularly
- 49:40 Grateful for the Triton series opportunity, inspired by Phil Ivey’s humility, aiming for seven-figure success
- 53:52 Michael’s message emphasizes taking time to reflect on what truly matters in life and the importance of patience in achieving one’s goals, including finding a life partner
Wrap up—Thanks For Checking Out This Episode Of The Mindset Advantage Podcast!
Key Learning Points:
- Know when to quit for the day to avoid compounding losses
- Realistic goals and regular breaks are key to sustained poker success
- Acknowledge negative mindsets and take breaks to reset mentally
Contact/Resources
Michael’s Youtube
Michael’s Instagram
Get The A-Game Poker Masterclass
Free Poker Mindset Audios on Youtube
Free Primed Mind Primers on Youtube
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