Can the best poker training sites really make you a better player? Yes, they absolutely can, but only if you use the right resources. I’ve been honing my skills for over a decade, and in that time I’ve used a lot of training sites.
Here’s everything I know about online poker training and how to improve as a player.
Top Poker Training Sites
What are the best online poker training sites right now? I’ve used plenty of sites in my time, but here’s why PokerCoaching.com, Elite University, and BBZ Poker are three of my favorites:
1. PokerCoaching.com
Founder: Jonathan Little
Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Best Features: Free poker strategy eBook, charts, and over 200+ videos
Free Trial? Yes
PokerCoaching.com is one of the best poker training sites I’ve used. The free eBooks, GTO tools, and interactive quizzes make it perfect for beginners who want to improve without spending anything upfront..
For me, however, the reason PokerCoaching.com stands out is its tournament content. Founder Jonathan Little was a big-name MTT player during the poker boom, and a lot of the site’s poker training videos are geared toward tournament strategy.
That doesn’t mean it’s lacking cash game content. Indeed, there are more than 200 videos on the site, as well as a Discord server with more than 12,500 members. However, if I’m honest, there are better online poker training sites for cash game content.
The final reason PokerCoaching.com deserves a mention is the fact it gives all members access to exclusive freerolls on CoinPoker. These $2,000 tournaments are free to enter, which makes them the ideal events to test your new skills.
Top Features
Over 200 poker training videos.
Free eBooks, GTO charts, and quizzes.
You get to enter $2,000 freerolls on CoinPoker.
PokerCoaching.com Pricing
Plan | Level | Key Features | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Free | Beginner | Free training sessions, strategy guides, preflop GTO charts | Free |
Premium | Advanced | Access to Cash Game Masterclass, Tournament Course, Masterclass, Advanced Classes and more | $147 per month |
Check out Pokercoaching.com here
2. Elite University
Founder: Charlie Carrel
Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Best Features: 200+ hours of content, Discord chat, get feedback on hands you play
Free Trial Included: Yes
If PokerCoaching.com is my go-to poker tournament training site, Elite University is where I enjoy learning more about cash games.
Founded by British high-stakes pro Charlie Carrel, this poker training site is all about holistic content. By that, I mean Carrel likes to cover a variety of topics, including the psychological aspects of poker.
That’s something very few poker training sites focus on, so that in itself is a selling point. It also ties in with Carrel’s approach to poker, which is based on exploiting an opponent’s tendencies rather than GTO-optimal lines.
Elite University is great for cash game players who value the human side of poker. It still covers core math, but courses like the Mindset Masterclass offer a fresh angle on strategy and improvement.
Top Features
More than 200 hours of training content.
Feedback from Charlie Carrel and other experienced poker pros.
Videos and community-based learning for low-stakes players.
Elite University Pricing
Plan | Level | Key Features | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Free | Beginner | Range analysis mini-series, weekly study sessions, Discord | Free |
Elite | Intermediate | Bankroll challenge series, mindset masterclass, daily study sessions | $97 per month |
Super Elite | Advanced | All of the above but with a discount | $997 per year |
Enlist at Elite University here
3. BBZ Poker
Founder: Jordan Drummond
Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Best Features: Daily seminars, staking, PLO course
Free Trial Included: Yes
BBZ Poker is one of the most popular poker coaching sites around and is famous for its staking program.
You’ve probably sat across from a few players with the BBZ logo as their avatar – and they’ve probably caused you a few problems! Studying at BBZ Poker can give you the same insight those players have benefitted from.
Crucially, BBZ Poker also covers Omaha . It’s one of the best PLO training sites for beginners, with 10 hours of Pot Limit Omaha strategy packed into a single 10-hour course.
Most of the courses at BBZ Poker are available for a relatively low flat fee. If you’d rather not have a charge coming out each month, this could definitely be up your street.
Top Features
Players can apply for staking via the BBZ Academy.
PLO courses included alongside Hold’em and other variants.
One-time fee for courses.
BBZ Poker Pricing
Plan | Level | Key Features | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Pre-Flop Charts & Trainer | Beginner | Pre-flop and ICM charts, trainer | $25 p/m |
Individual courses | Intermediate | Omaha, Spin & Go, bubble play and more | $150 |
ICM Pre-Flop Masterclass | Intermediate | Pre-flop charts, strategies, hand histories | $299 |
Complete Course Collection | Advanced | All individual courses packaged together | $1,500 |
Poker Training Software
Poker training sites aren’t the only tools you should have in your arsenal. As well as watching videos and chatting with fellow players, I recommend using the latest poker training software.
Poker Training Methods
Taking advantage of poker training methods is just as important as grabbing a good bonus. The best training sites don’t just teach one way—they mix videos, quizzes, solvers, and other tools to keep learning interesting and effective.
Some of the most effective poker training methods I’ve used over the last decade are:
Advanced Poker Training
Advanced poker training helps take your game beyond the basics. It teaches you how to read ranges, recognize patterns, and make smarter decisions when the pressure’s on—key skills for more competitive play.
With solid advanced poker training, you’ll learn to use tools like solvers, coaching, and hand reviews. These give insight into how top players think and play, helping you stay sharp and ahead of tougher opponents.
Poker Training Videos
The best online poker training sites like PokerCoaching, Elite University, and BBZ Poker offer tons of videos that bring strategy to life, making it easier to understand concepts by watching real hands and expert explanations.
For example, if Elite University’s Charlie Carrel releases a series of poker training videos on value betting, he can apply the theory to real situations. He could use a hand replayer or poker simulator training tool.
He could also explain his thought process while he’s playing a poker training game. Basically, poker training videos are an accessible, entertaining, and informative way to see how strategy concepts are applied to real situations.
Poker Training Free Podcasts
Podcasts have become one of the best free poker training resources today. I never skip a new episode from Phil Galfond—his podcasts and YouTube videos are full of helpful insights you can pick up fast.
Doug Polk’s hand breakdowns are loaded with sharp GTO advice. For longer listens, Only Friends with Matt Berkey and guests offers great strategy talk and feels like a free, laid-back version of a top poker training site.
Poker Strategy Articles
Other than podcasts, strategy articles are the best way to get poker training online for free. Not only are they widely available, they’re always accessible. What I mean is that you can read poker strategy articles at your leisure.
It takes time for strategy to click, especially when learning pot odds. Taking a moment to pause and think helps—and soon, things like poker hand probability start to feel natural and automatic.
Reading poker strategy articles makes it easier to absorb info—you can pause, re-read, and really let it sink in. I find it more effective than listening, and there are plenty of great free ones available.
Live Poker Training Camps
Veteran pros have been training poker players for years, and you’ll often get unsolicited advice in live games. But if you’re looking for structured learning, there are live poker training camps you can attend.
Solve For Why, founded by Matt Berkey, offers live poker training camps for cash and tournament players in Las Vegas. These camps combine lectures, Q&As, and live games to enhance your skills. LearnWPT also offers great workshops.
Poker Simulator Training
Online poker training software has come a long way since I started. Initially, I used Holdem Manager, then moved on to a basic range analyzer for SNG push/fold strategies—tools that have since evolved significantly.
Today, you’re literally spoilt for choice. Poker simulator training software can analyze ranges, tell you the optimal amount to bet in specific scenarios, and offer GTO tips. In some ways, poker simulator training apps are too powerful.
Using these tools won’t make you an automatic winner, but they definitely speed up your progress. Poker solvers have made the game tougher, but with apps like RangeConverter, you can stay ahead of the curve.
Best Free Poker Training Websites
Some of the best free poker training websites are Upswing Poker, PokerStrategy, PokerCoaching.com, and AdvancedPokerTraining. They all offer solid tools like articles, videos, and quizzes to help you level up without paying anything.
Upswing has great beginner guides, PokerStrategy gives you forums and free lessons, and PokerCoaching.com includes hand quizzes in its free plan. AdvancedPokerTraining even lets you play hands and get feedback, which is super helpful.
I highly recommend starting with the free training at PokerCoaching and Elite University. Once you’ve mastered the basics, upgrading for advanced poker training is a smart move to really sharpen your skills and strategy.
Poker Tournament Training
If you’re looking for solid poker tournament training, there’s a lot out there—but not all of it’s great. From what I’ve tried, these three really deliver clear, useful tips no matter your experience level.
Poker Tournament Course: Hero’s Journey on PokerCoaching.com
Who is it for? Beginners
What you’ll learn: poker fundamentals, managing emotions, bankroll management
Why it’s worth watching: you get an honest overview of what it’s like to learn.
I’ll talk more about it later, but one of the main benefits of watching poker training videos is that you live vicariously through someone else. That means you get to see their wins, losses, and moments of realization without risking your own money.
The Hero’s Journey on PokerCoaching.com is a great example. You watch Slick Ric’s transformation from newbie to grinder, with live training content and insights into his coaching sessions, making it one of the most authentic courses.
Poker Tournament Course: Range Analysis on Elite University
Who is it for? Novice/Intermediate Players
What you’ll learn: an intro to ranges, statistical breakdowns, live sessions, and how to construct/deconstruct ranges
Why it’s worth watching: you’ll become better at playing and reading hands
This course teaches you what ranges are and how to define an opponent’s range. From there, you’ll learn how to reduce an opponent’s range as hands progress and how to exploit players based on their perceived ranges.
Knowing how to construct and deconstruct ranges is essential at every poker level. The Range Analysis mini-series on Elite University is a great resource for learning which ranges work from different positions and how to read opponents.
You’ll learn how to construct effective ranges from various positions and against different opponents, while also mastering how to analyze opponents’ ranges.
Poker Tournament Course: Mindset Masterclass on Elite University
Who is it for? Advanced Players
What you’ll learn: how to think about money, handle downswings, and exploit common human tendencies
Why it’s worth watching: how a high-level pro thinks about poker in its entirety
There are many advanced poker courses online, including PokerCoaching.com’s cash game and tournament options. However, once you reach higher levels, winning requires more than GTO, which is why I recommend Charlie Carell’s Mindset Masterclass.
Carrel opposes GTO-only thinking, preferring to exploit patterns and psychological tendencies. His poker training course focuses on understanding both your mindset and others’, offering a small edge that could make a significant difference in your game.
Best Poker Training Site – Our Verdict
If you’re searching for the best poker training site, PokerCoaching.com is hard to beat. It’s packed with fun quizzes, coaching videos, and tips from real pros that make learning feel easy and practical.
What really makes it the best poker training site is how interactive it is. You can test your skills, watch classes, and follow clear training paths—perfect whether you’re just getting started or aiming to crush tournaments.
Benefits of Using Poker Training Online Sites
Up to this point, the benefits of using the best online poker training sites have been implied. So, in case you’re still unsure why online poker training is essential for anyone wanting to beat the game, here are the top three benefits:
You Get the Fundamentals
The best poker training websites are perfect for everyone, especially beginners, as they offer a solid foundation without breaking the bank. PokerCoaching, for example, provides free eBooks, preflop charts, and cheat sheets.
These resources, combined with PokerCoaching’s free membership, offer access to 10 training courses, including “Master the Fundamentals.” If you want to master the basics, PokerCoaching is an ideal site for free online poker training.
You See the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
I first started using poker training websites because I’d read Harrington on Hold’em and wanted to take my game to the next level. Dan Harrington’s book gave me a foundation for tournaments, but I wanted to see those fundamentals in practice.
That’s why I watched the poker tournament training videos on PokerXFactor. I got to see tournament concepts, such as attacking short stacks, in real time. Sometimes ideas worked, sometimes they didn’t. I got to see it all.
This, for me, is one of the biggest advantages of online poker training sites. You can watch pros execute theoretical ideas. You don’t have to risk your own money, and you get to hear their thoughts on why something went right or wrong.
Essentially, you’re getting the type of insights that only come from years of experience without playing. That’s why I have continued to watch poker training videos. I’m getting my own insights from playing poker, as well as insights from the pros I get to watch.
You Can Get Instant Feedback
My favorite poker training sites offer more than just videos and charts. They include Discord channels, forums, and interactive group sessions—great resources for getting feedback and clarifying any uncertainties you may have.
From my experience, Elite University has some lively debates whenever Charlie Carrel hosts a webinar. It’s also worth checking out PokerCoaching.com’s Discord server because it’s used by more than 12,500 members.
Difference Between Poker Training and Poker Coaching
Pros have been training poker players for decades. This one-to-one dynamic is what we class as poker coaching. The top poker training sites often give you access to pros who work with players on a one-to-one basis, but you can find coaches in a variety of places.
The main difference between poker training sites and coaching sites is that coaching focuses on individuals. Coaches assess your play and address specific leaks, so I’d recommend hiring one only if you’re an experienced player.
Newbies can still get a coach, but quality coaches often charge $200+ per hour. You don’t need to spend that much on basics when you can access free training at sites like PokerCoaching.com.
Don’t pay for what you can get for free, especially when building your bankroll. For newbies or intermediate players, I recommend using my top poker training sites. If you’re more advanced, then consider coaching.
Done Training? Play Here
Why read about the best online poker training sites if you’re not playing? Below are some of my favorite online poker sites. They’re great for practicing your skills and filled with players who haven’t watched training videos.
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Our Top Online Poker Site – CoinPoker
I mainly play on CoinPoker now. Initially, I was drawn by Tony G playing $1,000/$2,000 cash games with wealthy amateurs. I later found out it was a crypto site, and being into Bitcoin and poker since 2012, I was intrigued.
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FAQs
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References
- https://learnwpt.com/live/ (LearnWPT Live Workshop)
- https://www.youtube.com/@PhilGalfond (Phil Galfond YouTube)
- https://open.spotify.com/show/4gAGIbzO6tvGCMjeSuOpJF (Only Friends Podcast)