I'm looking into getting coaching and there are just so many coaches out there. I have had conversations/individual sessions with several over the last few months and I'm trying to make a decision.

I'm looking for someone to help me push through the next level and eventually take shots at $400nl.

I would prefer a coach that provides video recording of the sessions and is has an EXCEPTIONAL ability to explain concepts/thinking/strategy. I also would like someone who would take an active/vested interest in seeing me succeed, kind of like a pet project.

I have made an excel sheet of all the different options available to me and I would love to get the input of the 2P2 community as well as maybe some coaches who may not be on my list.

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Thanks

Hi,

This is just my opinion so take this with a grain of salt. But I would not attach too much value to winrates (they can be fabricated) or a few good reviews (those are often just friends) unless there are many reviews. I am not saying this is always the case at all, just saying good reviews and high winrate are no guarantee.

I would be looking at strategy posts or things like that if you can find them. They are unbiased and will give you a decent look into the coaches mind. You want to make sure the things the coach is posting make sense and whether or not others disagree strongly with them (and can prove them wrong or right). Also make sure you have a serious talk with them before you sign up, ask them as many questions as you can think of.

Also make sure you know what it is you want to get out of coaching and how you want to accomplish it.

Hope this helps

Akroma

Hi, I would look for someone who has current results in the games you want to play, like yours truly.

I think any good coach wants their students to succeed, and video recordings should be a given if requested. As Akroma said, results can be fabricated, but if someone has current results on stars they are generally reliable as there are ways of checking them up.

I am obviously biased, but I would think for taking someone through small stakes to midstakes noone offers the value that I do at the moment (current high winrates in those games, understanding of many different play styles and how to exploit population tendancies, skill with solvers and software.)
However, of the people on your list, I would say Nate represents by far and away the best value, in terms of having exceptional reviews and also being currently winning over big samples in tough games.

Glgl,
George

I've worked with around 5-6 coaches in total, results are by far the most important factor. Not saying it's a guarantee of good coaching, but generally you do not want to hire someone who isn't making good money in today's games. If aren't making good money, you think they can teach you to do it?

For example, I have no idea who the poster above me is, but his coaching thread looks very solid and is definitely someone I'd consider if I were in your shoes.

I will just give you an obvious example of why your thinking might be flawed:

Consider football, basketball or whatever sport you like. Do these coaches still play at a professional level? Does that make them bad coaches?

Another reason is that there are other ways to make money in todays games (rakeback grinding for one). A good rakeback grinder could very easily make much more money per hour than someone with a high winrate. Does that mean the grinder is worse?

I am fairly objective on this one since the poster does not fall into the category of players I coach at all. So no alterior motives on my part.

Also I have had coaching by a few people from 2+2 page that showed very good results. They had no clue what they were doing and could not teach me a single thing. They were even charging 150$/hour.

Having a solid winrate to show is just one small piece of the puzzle imo.

That's a terrible example lol, and often one used as an excuse by bad coaches who are out of touch with today's games.

Sports coaches do not play at the professional level because they are no longer physically capable due to their age.

As for poker, if you're capable of teaching someone how to make money playing, there should be no reason why you aren't capable of making money yourself.

I've seen your coaching thread before, which makes it pretty clear as to why you're so biased.

Alright mate I am going to step out before this turns into a mud throwing contest. I was just trying to give honest advice. I don't think it is necessary to make it personal.

Yeah I do see what you're saying Akroma. But then nowdays at SS+ the skill level required to crush for large samples is at a point that anyone who is doing so is very likely to have a pretty good understanding, and thus be good enough fundamentally to be able to coach a student effectively.

RE your experiences, a lot of coaches advertising on 2+2 show old, or handpicked samples, and are actually not really doing anywhere near as well as they claim.

Yeah that was basically my point. It is easy to manipulate the winrate. I took a few sessions and it was very clear to me there was no way they were winning that much while knowing that little.

I agree though. If they actually do win at that rate they are good. One problem is still: are they also good at getting it across to students? But thats a different matter and they could learn to do so obviously

I hate to crush the party, but...you need to up your research game!

Having live coaches on the list if you want to learn online poker is crazy.

This stuff is not so difficult:
Look for what you want, see who has done it before and then do the same




You are looking for somebody who:

* gives and encourages you to record sessions

=> Advising this for years, proof in the longest standing coaching thread on 2p2

* more than enough reviews

=> Authentic "from day 1" micro to high stakes threads.

* takes a vested interest (coaching for profits anybody?)

* Tough, but clean ethics
(we give no refunds, but regularly turns down students, which would be easy money. Just today a highstakes player insisted twice on coaching and i told him i feel honored but wont accept money. I assume he was willing to pay the 1000/hr)

Search for the biggest coaching thread on 2p2 (cash games).

Just out of curiosity what is it that makes you turn down a student? Do you have to many? Is it a guy playing your games?