Have any of you been to a Poker Camp? I'm looking at attending a poker camp this summer and was wondering what people thought of them. Possible ones I'm looking at are World Poker Tour Boot Camp and the WSOP Acadmey. I'm looking mainly for cash games but if you know of any other goods ones, even for tournaments let me know.

Thanks

I don't really know too much about it but looking quickly it looks like kinda a rip .... especially if you don't get to pick the people who will be your coaches; looks like they have a number of coaches who aren't really that good and were just on TV a few times.


You could get like 12 hours of coaching from some good medium stakes NL HE players for the price those camps seem to be charging (like around $1800).


Edit:

Actually you could probably get a bit more than 12.

Ive been to the Wptbootcamp for tourneys. I have a friend that went to the wsop one. He didnt like the wsop, but I dont want to take anything from them because he went there right after they had first started and they have expanded and changed things alot since then so it might be alot better. This is just hearsay not my experience so take it with salt.
As for my own experience.. I'll try to explain my situation and let you make your own decision. I had already been playing live tournament poker for a few years and felt I was pretty descent at it. I'd read a bunch of books and played 1-4 table home games all around town with buy ins anywhere from $60-$200 about 3-4 times a week. I was cashing in most of them and felt I was crushing them the best I could at the time. By no means did I think I was some pro, I was just better than my opponents, which is really all that mattered. I'm not a big online player and have only recently been trying to play online with the exception of here and there on absolute.

With that being said.. I signed up for the wptbootcamp and was on my way to try to fix leaks in my game. I personally, based on my playing experience that you have just read, dont feel like I learned enough from the class that made it worth the cost. By the time you add flight and room it gets expensive. I did pick up some tips and I did have a blast. The experience was still amazing. I think if you are a newer player or someone having alot of trouble in the game, then yes its worth every penny. I guess the best way to explain it is to say that they take Harrington on holdem and show it to you rather than just have you read it. Its not based on his book but its based on a similar tight aggresive style. Like I said before I'm no pro and I'm having a hard time with online poker but I felt I was way ahead of the other students in the class. I crushed the sitngo we played and almost won the trip to the Battle of the season pass, but took a beat. I just want to make sure you and anyone who reads this doesnt think I'm saying its not worth it or that I'm bashing them, because its quite the opposite. You just have to evaluate where you are and decide if its for you. The experience is awesome and you get to meet some pros and play for the battle of the season pass as well.
Now there is a camp they give once a year and its actually coming up in May I think that is for advanced players. I personally would have rather gone to that one but it wasnt offered at the time. I also think it costs more but I would be wrong. I hope that helps you make some decision.
Oh and one last thing.. when I had first signed up and paid for it I didnt realize there were places like this you could find coaches at. So it a nut shell.. if you honestly feel you have a good understanding of the game but have alot of leaks, get a personal coach. If you are new and want to understand ranges and want to become a good, solid, winning player go to the camp.

I haven't been to one and I would definitely not pay for one. I think it could be a cool experience talking to some of the pro's that they have host it, but honestly I wouldn't want any poker advice from someone like Annie Duke. I think if you're just looking for a fun weekend and don't mind gaining minimal education for the time, then go for it. If you are really looking to improve I'd check out an MTT coach here. Im sure it would you would get a lot more out of it for the same time spent in the WPT camps.

If you're looking to get better at cash games and/or MTTs you have some of the best coaches here in this forum. They'll personalize the coaching for you. They'll go over your strengths and plug your leaks. In a boot camp setting they're teaching a mass of people and may not see everything you're doing . You're being taught at the camps by some players that have not kept up with today's game as it evolves.

For $1800+ you would pay for a 1 time camp, you can get 36 hours of coaching that is designed for to improve your game.

However if you do decide to take the camp.. please post a review on this forum. Good luck