Why You Should Seek Poker Coaching

A bevy of online poker players have sought coaching throughout their careers. And why not; poker coaching and training can have a monumental impact on a player’s game. Despite its high cost, training can pay dividends, so why have so many players descended upon sites like CardRunners, PokerXFactor, and Stox Poker? Holdem bonuses will tell you why!

Two Heads are Better than One

Your parents might have told you this growing up, but it’s inherently true. Being able to tap the minds of two people means a wider variety of logic, opinions, and background than just one person. When you bounce questions off of another person, you can perhaps see a side of the equation you would have never thought of before. More importantly, you can gain access to a vault of expertise.

Coaches have a unique perspective to the game and that’s why they’ve offered their services in the first place. Whether it’s in nosebleed No Limit Hold’em games or Pot Limit Omaha, coaches bring a bevy of knowledge to the table. The only trick as a student is deciding which coach to use. Established training sites like CardRunners, StoxPoker, PokerXFactor, and DeucesCracked are safe bets. For independent coaches, utilize a resource like thepokerdb.com or HendonMob.com in order to seek out past results. Just make sure to do a little bit of due diligence before you begin to fork over the hundreds or even thousands of dollars required to seek training.

Seeing is Believing

The aforementioned training sites all feature hours upon hours of training videos. These are simply coaches playing online and recording their screens. Then, you’ll hear commentary on why they played a certain way, what their logic was by pushing rather than calling in a hand, and how to play effectively heads-up. You can watch these videos from the comfort of your own computer, so grab your pajamas and pull up a chair. Videos are extraordinarily effective, can take some of the mystique out of playing online, and offer valuable insight into certain situations. More importantly, you can compare your actions to those shown and see why you would have acted differently.

If your coach is not a fan of videos, you can watch them play online at FullTilt Poker or your favorite poker room. You can communicate with your coach via Instant Messenger or phone and have them explain what they are doing. You can seek additional information by asking questions, so don’t be afraid to open your mouth if needed. Coaches will sometimes watch you play and then offer feedback; just remember to be open when they lend their opinion.

Learn from the Best

If you’re going to seek out a poker coach, you should do yourself a favor and learn from the best. Find the top coach within your bankroll and hire them. Don’t waver on it or have a friend who “might” be good at a game show you the ropes. Paying a coach is like paying a mortgage, so think of it as an investment. When in doubt, spend $100 on a training site and absorb all of the information you possibly can. Get your money’s worth, but remember to seek out the best.

Ask around if you’re not sure who to hire. Post in a popular online poker forum like PocketFives.com or TwoPlusTwo.com. Most of the major training sites have free trial periods, so sign up for them and then see which suits your style of playing – and learning – the best. There are sites that specialize in tournaments, cash games, Omaha, short-handed play, heads-up, and Stud, among other disciplines. Find the one that best matches your interests and go with it. Your bankroll will thank you.