Assessing Your Current Skill Level
Before searching for a coach, honestly evaluate where you stand. Beginners need different instruction than intermediate players, and advanced players require specialized coaching. A coach who excels at teaching fundamentals might not be the right fit for someone looking to refine their high-stakes tournament strategy.
Record your statistics over a significant sample size. For cash games, 50,000 hands minimum provides enough data to understand your baseline. Tournament players need results from at least 100 tournaments. These numbers give you and your coach concrete information to work with.
Identify your biggest weaknesses before beginning your search. Do you struggle with preflop ranges? Does your river play need work? Are you losing money in three-bet pots? Knowing your problem areas helps you find a coach with expertise in those specific situations.
Matching Coaching Style to Your Learning Preferences
Different coaches use different teaching methods. Some focus on GTO (game theory optimal) strategy with heavy emphasis on solver work. Others teach exploitative play based on opponent tendencies. Neither approach is wrong, but one might resonate more with how you think about poker.
Some students learn best through database review and statistical analysis. Others prefer watching and discussing specific hands. Consider how you’ve learned other skills in your life. If you learned better through hands-on practice than reading textbooks, find a coach who emphasizes playing sessions over theory lectures.
Ask the coaches about their teaching methodology before committing. A good coach will explain their approach clearly and should be willing to adapt somewhat to your learning style. If they insist on a rigid curriculum that doesn’t account for individual differences, keep looking.
Verifying Credentials & Results
Check the coach’s playing results before hiring them. Anyone can claim to be an expert, but results speak louder than words. Look for documented success at stakes higher than you currently play. A coach beating $0.50/$1.00 games can’t teach you how to beat $2/$5.
Winning players don’t always make good coaches. Teaching requires different skills than playing. Ask for testimonials from previous students and try to verify improvements in their results. Be wary of coaches who can’t provide references or whose students haven’t shown measurable improvement.
Look for coaches with some form of credential or affiliation with respected poker education platforms. While credentials aren’t everything, they suggest the coach has passed some vetting process. Self-taught coaches can be excellent, but you’ll need to do more due diligence.
Different Coaching Packages
Coaches typically offer several package options. One-off sessions work well for specific questions or occasional guidance. Monthly packages with regular sessions suit players who want consistent support. Some coaches offer group coaching at lower prices, which can provide good value for budget-conscious students.
Video pack reviews are popular and effective. You record your play, send the videos to your coach, and receive detailed feedback. This method allows coaches to work on their own schedule and often provides more thorough analysis than live coaching sessions.
Some coaches offer hybrid packages combining live sessions with homework assignments and email support. These programs cost more but provide more value for serious students. Consider your budget and commitment level when choosing a package structure.
Evaluating Communication & Availability
Good communication is essential for effective coaching. Your coach should explain concepts clearly and be willing to answer questions until you understand. Poor communicators, even if they’re great players, won’t help you improve much.
Consider time zones and scheduling flexibility. If you live in New York and your coach lives in Singapore, finding convenient meeting times might be difficult. Some coaches have limited availability and book weeks in advance. Make sure their schedule aligns with yours.
Ask about between-session support. Do they answer emails or Discord messages? Can you send them hands for quick opinions? The availability of support outside scheduled sessions adds significant value to a coaching relationship.
Trial Sessions & Compatibility
Most coaches offer a discounted initial session. Use this opportunity to assess compatibility. Pay attention to how well you communicate and if their teaching style clicks with you. Chemistry matters in coaching relationships.
Come prepared to your trial session with specific hands and questions. This preparation helps you evaluate how the coach analyzes situations and if their advice makes sense to you. A good trial session should leave you with actionable items to work on.
Don’t commit to a long-term package after just one session unless you’re absolutely certain about the fit. Try two or three sessions first. Some personality conflicts don’t emerge until you’ve worked together a few times.
Specialization Versus General Knowledge
Some coaches specialize in specific formats like spin-and-gos, multi-table tournaments, or heads-up cash games. If you play primarily one format, a specialist offers more value than a generalist. They understand the nuances of that specific game better than someone who spreads their expertise across multiple formats.
Generalist coaches work well for players still exploring different game types or those who play mixed formats. They provide a broader perspective and can help you identify which games suit your skills and temperament. They’re also good for beginners who need fundamental instruction applicable to all formats.
Check how much of their playing volume comes from your game type. A coach who primarily plays tournaments but occasionally plays cash games probably isn’t the right fit for someone looking to improve their cash game skills specifically.
Cost Considerations & Value Assessment
Coaching rates vary dramatically, from $50 per hour to $500 or more. Higher rates don’t guarantee better coaching, but extremely low rates should raise suspicion. Quality instruction costs money because good coaches can make more playing than teaching.
Consider the possible return on investment. If you play $1/$2 and invest $300 in coaching that improves your win rate by 2bb/100, you’ll earn that back quickly. Players at lower stakes should be more budget-conscious because their possible earnings are smaller.
Some coaches offer income-based sliding scales. If cost is a concern, ask if they have any flexibility in pricing. Many coaches would rather lower their rate slightly for a motivated student than lose the opportunity entirely.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious of coaches who guarantee specific results. Poker has variance, and no coach can promise you’ll win X amount in Y timeframe. Guarantees suggest dishonesty or unrealistic expectations.
Avoid coaches who are dismissive of questions or make you feel stupid for not getting something. Good coaches remember what it was like to learn and explain concepts patiently. Condescension indicates a bad coaching relationship.
Watch out for coaches who push you to commit to long-term expensive packages immediately. Legitimate coaches are confident enough in their value to let their results speak for themselves. High-pressure sales tactics suggest someone more interested in your money than your improvement.
Setting Goals With Your Coach
Establish clear, measurable goals at the start of your coaching relationship. These might include improving specific statistics, moving up in stakes, or mastering certain concepts. Goals give you and your coach a roadmap and help you assess progress.
Break large goals into smaller milestones. Instead of “become a winning player,” aim for “reduce my fold-to-three-bet percentage from 70% to 60%” or “increase my red line by 5bb/100.” Specific targets are easier to work toward and achieve.
Review goals regularly with your coach and adjust as needed. As you improve, your goals should evolve. What seemed important when you started coaching might be less relevant once you’ve made progress in that area.
Making the Most of Coaching Sessions
Come prepared to every session with hands to review and specific questions. Don’t waste time with small talk or general questions you could answer through free resources. Maximize the value of your paid time.
Take detailed notes during sessions. Record sessions if possible with your coach’s permission. You’ll forget much of what’s discussed, so having reference materials helps you implement lessons later. Review these notes regularly between sessions.
Complete any homework assignments your coach gives you. These assignments reinforce lessons and demonstrate your commitment. Coaches invest more energy in students who take the learning process seriously.
