When poker players want to get better, videos usually come to mind first. But honestly, there are so many other learning tools out there now.
Podcasts, interactive quizzes, and dedicated courses have become key parts of a balanced poker education in 2025. Relying only on videos? That just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Sure, training videos are still huge, but the best players mix things up. Poker pros like Phil Galfond have podcasts that a lot of players treat as essential listening. It’s handy—strategy on the go, whether you’re commuting or just out for a walk.
Today’s top training sites are way more interactive than they used to be. You’ll find quizzes, structured courses for different formats, and even personalized feedback.
This mix helps players really absorb concepts, way more than just watching videos.
Essential Poker Training Resources Beyond Videos
Video content is everywhere in poker training, but there’s a whole world of other resources that can really boost your skills. Sometimes these alternatives go deeper, offering analysis and feedback you just won’t find in a standard video.
Books and eBooks
Poker books and eBooks have been around forever, and they’re still incredibly useful. “The Theory of Poker” by David Sklansky is old, but honestly, it’s still a must-read for basic concepts across all poker types.
For something more up-to-date, “Modern Poker Theory” by Michael Acevedo digs into GTO-based approaches and solver strategies. If you’re struggling with the mental side of things, “The Mental Game of Poker” by Jared Tendler is a solid pick.
Digital books are just easier to carry around and search through. Some training sites, like Upswing Poker, even throw in eBooks as bonuses, so you can keep studying even if you’re offline.
Coaching and Mentorship
Personalized coaching is on another level compared to generic videos. A coach who gets your specific leaks can help you improve way faster.
Plenty of successful players offer coaching at all kinds of price points. Some charge $50 an hour, others go up to $500 or more, depending on their experience.
Most coaching sessions involve reviewing your hands, talking through strategy, or even watching you play live. Group coaching is a cheaper option—students split the cost and learn together.
Sites like Run It Once often blend coaching with video libraries and forums where you can ask pros questions. It’s important to find a coach who matches your learning style and plays higher stakes than you do.
Interactive Software and Apps
Poker training has gotten super interactive. Tools like PokerTracker and Hold’em Manager track your stats and spot leaks.
GTO solvers—think PioSOLVER or SimplePostflop—let you explore optimal plays for tricky spots. They’re not the easiest to use, but they give you real answers instead of vague advice.
Quiz apps like PokerCoaching.com’s trainer or TestYourPoker make learning a bit more fun, tossing you real scenarios and breaking down your decisions.
Mobile apps are everywhere now, too. Many are free to try, with paid features for those who want more, so you can study even if you’re on a budget.
Engaging with the Poker Community and Forums
Honestly, talking to other poker players is one of the best ways to learn. Communities give you a place to swap ideas, share stories, and get feedback from people who see things differently.
Online Forum Discussions
TwoPlusTwo has been a poker staple since 2001. It’s got sections for every game, every stake, every type of player.
Beginners can find threads on the basics, while advanced players get into the nitty-gritty of strategy. Posting hand histories and getting community feedback is especially valuable.
Reddit’s r/poker and PokerStrategy forums are also worth checking out. You’ll find strategy talk, tournament reviews, and software tips—sometimes even debates about the latest trends.
Discord Groups and Private Communities
Discord’s become a go-to for poker groups, offering real-time chats and smaller, tighter-knit communities. Lots of pros and training sites have their own Discords now.
Run It Once, for example, has private groups where you can chat with coaches and other players who are serious about getting better.
Some groups form study pods based on game type or stakes, which keeps you accountable and motivated. People review each other’s sessions, talk about new books, and sometimes even set up heads-up matches to work on specific skills.
The competitive vibe in these groups really pushes you to keep improving and stay sharp.
Hands-On Training Tools and Simulators
Sometimes, you just need to get your hands dirty. Interactive tools are great for practicing decision-making and getting instant feedback.
Poker Solvers and AI-Based Trainers
Modern solvers crunch the numbers on optimal play for all kinds of spots. RangeConverter, for example, offers GTO trainers for Hold’em, Short Deck, PLO—you name it.
AI-based trainers let you play against bots with all sorts of styles. Advanced Poker Training is pretty cool for this—they adapt to how you play and keep you on your toes.
These tools help you nail down tricky stuff like bluffing frequencies. They’ll even show you when to bluff based on the board and your opponent’s habits.
Some solvers use visuals to break down equity and expected value, which makes the math way less intimidating.
Hand History Analysis Platforms
Hand history analyzers let you review your own play and spot mistakes. They’ll import your hands from online sites and flag decisions that need work.
Many of these tools compare your choices to GTO solutions, so you can see where you’re off base. Some even track your bluffing frequency or show how you perform on different board textures.
Advanced platforms can simulate how things might’ve played out if you’d taken another line, using AI to guess what your opponents would have done.
Using these tools regularly turns your real games into study sessions and helps you build better habits.
Structured Poker Training Programs and Courses
If you like a bit of structure, training programs lay out lessons and track your progress. These courses help you build up your skills step by step.
Popular Poker Training Platforms
A few sites have really set the bar in poker education. Poker Coaching and Run It Once both have huge libraries and organized learning paths for different games.
They keep their material fresh, updating strategies for both cash games and tournaments. Most programs mix video, interactive drills, and community forums so you can discuss hands and get feedback.
Some platforms even offer direct coaching from proven pros. Memberships usually run $30-$100 a month, with discounts if you pay yearly.
Specialized Programs for Low Stakes and Advanced Players
If you play micro or small stakes, specialized courses can help you exploit common mistakes and nail the basics.
Advanced programs dig into GTO strategies and the math behind the game. Tournament-focused courses cover things like ICM, final tables, and satellite strategy.
You’ll also find courses for specific formats—6-max, heads-up, PLO, and more. If you’re serious about one type of game, these specialized tracks are worth it.
It’s smart to pick programs that actually show results, maybe with student testimonials or progress tracking.
Leveraging Modern Advances in Poker Training
Poker training isn’t what it used to be—technology has changed the game. Tools now help you learn and improve faster than ever.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Poker Learning
AI has totally shaken up poker training. It gives you access to practice partners who never get tired or tilt.
Programs like PokerSnowie and GTO+ use advanced strategies to spot leaks in your game. They can analyze thousands of hands in seconds, pointing out mistakes that would take you ages to find on your own.
A lot of top players now use AI tools as part of their regular study. These programs can simulate all kinds of opponents and situations, so you’re ready for just about anything.
AI also helps break down tough concepts like balanced ranges and optimal bet sizing—stuff that used to be super intimidating unless you were a math whiz.
Impact of Algorithms and Notable AI Milestones
The poker world took a wild turn in 2017 when Libratus, an AI cooked up at Carnegie Mellon University, managed to take down some of the best poker pros in heads-up no-limit hold’em.
Honestly, nobody really expected algorithms to get so good at games where not all the information is on the table.
Then, in 2019, Pluribus upped the ante by beating top human players in six-player no-limit hold’em. That was a real eye-opener—AI handling all the chaos of multi-player poker? Wild.
It all feels a bit like when Garry Kasparov lost to IBM’s Deep Blue back in 1997. Remember that? Just like that match changed chess, these poker AIs have really shaken up how folks play and even think about the game.
These days, training algorithms can run through millions of hand simulations, hunting down the best strategies for all sorts of situations. It’s almost scary how much info is out there now.
Players can actually tap into these insights with interfaces that are, thankfully, pretty easy to use.
A lot of training sites have rolled out AI-powered review tools too. They’ll dig through your play history and throw out suggestions that actually fit your playing style.
