Online poker training sites have exploded over the last few years. What was once a cottage industry featuring a few small sites with a handful of videos has expanded into a highly competitive arena, with dozens of sites battling it out for subscribers. With so many sites to choose from, the process can be overwhelming, especially for newer players. To help simplify things, here’s a simple list of questions you’ll want to ask yourself when comparing training sites. Taking just a few minutes to answer these questions can result in not only saving hundreds of dollars, but also in ensuring that you’ll receive the highest quality training possible.
Do I Need a Training Site?
If you’re reading this article, you probably think you have the answer to this question already. Put that aside for a second and consider a few things first: Have you viewed the hundreds of free strategy videos that are available on sites like YouTube, PokerTube, PokerListings and PartTimePoker? Have you considered joining a poker forum and getting direct feedback on your game from other players by participating in strategy discussions? Have you taken the time to analyze your game and identify your strengths and weaknesses? All of the above are absolutely free alternatives to a costly training site subscription, and are valuable avenues for players to explore.
All too often newer players think of training sites as an ‘MPO777‘ for their game – sign up, watch some videos, and viola, leaks plugged. In reality, there is no easy fix for your game. Training sites are a valuable resource, but if they’re the resource you’re turning to first, you might want to pause and explore some other resources like those mentioned above before proceeding.
How Much Does It Cost?
This question might seem a little obvious, but determining how much a subscription to a training site actually costs can be a tricky task. Some sites have low monthly fees but charge you an initial sign up fee. Some sites offer discounts if you participate in a promotion they’re running or if you earn rakeback through their site. Make sure you read the fine print and carefully compare offers, as training site memberships can cost upwards of $1000 a year. Obviously, you can’t stick around if you’re only paying a small monthly amount, so make sure you’re getting a good deal.
What Game and Limits Am I Focused On?
While you’re mulling over training sites, you’ll want to figure out which type of game and limit you’re going to focus on for online poker training sites. For Holdem players, it’s typically recommended that you focus on No Limit 5 person tables. For Omaha players, it’s typically recommended that you focus on No Limit 4 person tables. Typically, the top 2 players get paid, the bottom 2 players get paid. Occasionally, the site can even have a ‘1000 dollar No Limit Holdem Tournament,’ which is a huge prize for the winners, most often though not all events have a buy-in of $1000.