When it comes to winning at poker, it is not a straight road without obstacles. You have to master numerous fundamentals, stay mentally strong and employ rigid bankroll management skills throughout. That’s why you find most people who try poker lose regularly. Those that succeed have usually experienced the long stint of losing before “getting it” or sped up their learning by investing in poker coaching. But is a poker coach the right thing for everyone? In this post we attempt to answer this question.
Your Budget
One of the first things you should review before considering hiring a poker coach is the budget you have for coaching. Your budget doesn’t have to be solely from poker bankroll. Instead, you should have a fixed amount set aside that you are prepared to invest in your poker journey. If the amount is on the small side, you may want to consider a different form of poker training. A poker coach in the UK is likely to cost £90 per hour or more. Some coaching sites offer bulk discount but realistically you will want a block of 5 hours minimum so if your budget for personal poker coaching is under £500, look elsewhere for poker development.
The Stakes You Play
Another consideration to take into account is what stakes you play. If you are new to poker and playing freerolls or NL $2, you may want to focus on improving through experience first. After all, investing hundreds into your game when your poker bankroll is $100 is foolish. Once you’ve gained some knowledge through free resources and experience you will move up stakes and it may be worth getting a coach.
Generally, if you’re playing NL $25 and up, a poker coach could be worth it. If a coach offers advice that improve your win rate by even $1 an hour, you could see long-term positive ROI. (How to calculate ROI). Consider someone who plays 30 hours a week. This $1 an hour would be worth $1,560 + per year. Little gains in win rate can have massive impacts on your long-term earning potential so keep that in mind when considering hiring a poker coach.
Dedication Level
The last thing we must mention is the dedication level required. Hiring a poker coach may seem like a short cut to success but they can only do so much. A decent poker training site will expect you to listen carefully, take notes and study away from the table. You must have a good ear and be prepared to listen and implement their teachings, otherwise it’s a waste of your money and their time. So, if you struggle with listening, read a guide in how to be a better listener before booking a coaching call.
Someone with excellent dedication levels can certainly go from loser to winner if they put in the hard work. Conversely, those who show a poor work ethic and don’t adjust their strategy based on their coaches’ mentoring will continue to lose.
Ultimately, a poker coach is worth the investment if you play NL $25 and up and are prepared to work hard. If you don’t have a sufficient budget for 3 or more hours or have questionable work ethic, try a different form of training or stick to playing poker for fun.
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