Training to Be a Pro But Need Help
Hey, there, fledgling poker player! So you're tired of not winning at the tables, you're looking to improve your game, and you've heard a lot about these online poker training sites? Lots of your opponents seem to be subscribing to them and improving their games. Can joining one or several of these sites improve your game as well? And if so, which sites give you the best bang for your buck? Below are a few of the best and most well-known poker training sites on the market today, and what each of them has to offer.
For a quick start we have also put together some basic tips to playing poker to help you get on your path to becoming a poker professional, or just saving a couple bucks.
Learn how to play poker from top-rated Udemy instructors. Whether you're interested in learning how to be a great online Texas Hold ‘Em player, or understanding essential poker math concepts, Udemy has a course to help you achieve your goals. Most of the best poker training available nowadays (taught by world class pros) is on poker training sites or through coaching which of course is not going to be free. However, for beginners just getting started in poker I believe that there are a number of good free poker training options these days. DeucesCracked.com is a poker training and coaching site that was opened by a group of highly successful online poker players. The site offers over 1,500 top-notch poker training videos and tutorials. DragtheBar.com Review - New Training Site but Already an Impressive Coaching Lineup.
DEUCESCRACKED
A top-tier site for those players seeking ways to improve their cash-game play. DeucesCracked's videos are better edited than many of the site's competitors, and with a library now in excess of 1,200 videos, there's plenty to choose from. Cash-game action is the site's focus, though tournament play and other poker variants in addition to Texas Hold'em also receive some attention.
Site instructors include noted online pros Emil 'whitelime' Patel, Joe Tall, Vanessa Selbst (female pro), Ariel Schneller and many others.
See more details about Deuces Cracked and if its worth it.
CARDRUNNERS
Free Online Poker Training Sites
By consensus CardRunners is the largest of all online poker training sites, having also merged with former competitor StoxPoker. CardRunners serves up an extensive library of thousands of poker training videos, with a heavy focus on cash-game play. The site's professional tutors include Cole South, Michael 'timex' McDonald, Brian 'sbrugby' Hastings, Taylor 'greenplastic' Caby and many others. Many of these players were the original high stakes players in online poker whom moved onto the business side. The massive library needs better organization, but the overall quality of the videos are among the best in this category.
See more details about Cardrunners and if its worth it.
POKERXFACTOR
While many of the training sites listed here focus primarily on cash-game play, PokerXFactor's focus is on tournament action instead. Led by the legendary online duo of Cliff 'JohnnyBax' Josephy and Eric 'Sheets' Haber (who are also among the largest backers of other players in the industry), the site also includes instructional offerings from Kevin 'BeL0WaB0Ve' Saul, Eric 'Rizen' Lynch, Scott 'BigRissky' Clements and many others. The site offers a library of several hundred videos, and includes an interactive hand-history viewer allowing members to review and share their own questionable or interesting plays.
Here is the full review of PokerXfactor's tournament training site.
BLUEFIREPOKER
BlueFirePoker is one of the best sites for cash game strategy and videos. The site has a massive list of professional players including Niman 'Samoleus' Kenkre, Martin Fournier Giguere (a/k/a 'Giggy') and others in assembling one of the most impressive catalog of videos to date. The guys that run that coach on the site have some interesting reads that most pros follow, plus a forum where professionals discuss hands with players. The price of training will run you $30 a month and they whack you with a $100 upfront initiation fee as well. It's worth it when you're getting tips from Phil Galfond, arguably one of the most consistently recognized high stakes pro.
Read more about Bluefire the training site.
GRINDER SCHOOL
More geared to beginning and intermediate players, Grinder School is a newer site centered on several hundred videos that emphasize the core concepts of basic play, with a target audience of micro-, low- and mid-stakes players. The site offers both cash-game and tournament tutorials but focuses heavily on NLHE action, though other games and topics are showing signs of receiving attention. I think this will be a great site for when the US is legalized for the average player. Cost is only $20 and there is no beginning initiation fee but you get what you pay for. I wouldn't personally use them but their library of videos is greater than 1000 comparable to similar training sites…
Read our full review about our featured best site for low stakes training.
POKERSTARS POKER SCHOOL (POKER SCHOOL ONLINE/PSO)
Several of the largest poker sites now offer their own basic tutorial packages, free of charge, with PokerStars among the sites doing so. Stars' PSO offerings are free (account registration required), though they are geared toward beginners; intermediate and advanced players won't pick up much new here. Still, the groundwork covered here is a solid start for playing poker. Please note that PokerStars now owns Full Tilt Poker Academy, but they are two separate entities. The problem with poker sites offering their own training is that it dwindles the experience for casual players and is usually not in their best interest, thus the ‘basic information' you get for free.
You can read more on the Pokerstars School here.
Conclusion
The above-listed training sites are some of the best online but depending on your skill level, stakes, bankroll, and preferred game type, the best site for your game can wildly differ. Most sites allow players a free trial, or at least, the ability to view their video library and lessons before signing up. Take advantage of this and be sure to look for information that will suit your skill level. For my money, DeucesCracked is the best training site for poker players of all stakes.
Author:Joseph Falchetti (twitter)
(C) Copyright PokerWebsites.com, 2018
Since the explosion of online poker in early 2003, almost every poker player has attempted to improve their game in one way or another to make more money at the online poker tables. Many players flock to sites like PokerSite.org to receive free poker strategy and watch free poker videos. However, some sites, like the ones listed on this page, have taken it to the next level, and provide ultra top-notch poker strategy tips and advice.
These poker training sites actually hire poker professionals to make training videos and guides, which are both great learning tools. Although most of the sites below cost money, they are well worth it for an up and coming player, or even a grizzled veteran looking to tune up his/her game. Good luck!
Poker Training Site Reviews:
- CardRunners Review - CardRunners offers video, blog, and live chat training for $27.99/month.
- PokerAce HUD Review - A heads up display that can be used with PokerTracker 2 ($25).
- Poker Office Review - Poker statistics program that competes with PokerTracker ($99/year).
- PokerTracker Review - Statistical analysis along with a heads up display ($89.99)
- PokerVT Review - PokerVT offers personal coaching from Daniel Negreanu for $29.99/month.
- PokerXFactor Review - PokerXFactor has video training, plus a hand replayer for $24.95/month.
- RealPokerTraining.com Review - Offers free articles, and paid videos for $24.95/month.
- SitNGo Wizard Review - SitNGo Wizard is a sit and go analysis tool that costs $99.
- StoxPoker Review - StoxPoker offers video training and a discount on Hold'em Manager.
Each of the poker training sites that we reviewed offered similar features, including:
Video Tutorials
A main feature at any training site is the poker strategy videos. These videos typically consist of a poker pro playing a session, and providing commentary as they play. Since you can see the pro's hole cards as well as hear his/her thoughts, you can get inside the pro's head and internalize his/her strategy.
Best Online Poker Training Sites
Strategy Articles
Another common offering at poker training sites is poker strategy articles. These articles are typically written by online poker professionals, and detail advanced strategy and tactics that can be used at the online poker tables. Combining related strategy videos and strategy articles can be very helpful.
Professional Player Blogs
Best Free Online Poker Training Sites
Another feature that is offered at training sites is professional player blogs. Poker pros post exclusively on their blogs at the training site, and members get updates on the pro's results and latest thoughts.
PokerSite.org Video Tutorials
Here at PokerSite.org we have quite a few free poker video tutorials, mainly focused on sit and go training. Distress tolerance gambling. We don't charge anything to view our videos, so please check them out.
Then, if you still want more video training, you can easily sign up at one of the above poker training websites. Although we only have a dozen or so videos, the training sites above offer hundreds if not thousands of poker training videos.
Online Poker Training Sites 2020
Webmasters
Free Online Poker Training Sites
If you have a poker strategy product or training site that you think is worthy of being listed here, please contact us with the details so we can review your product right away.
