If you enjoy playing online poker with friends or participating in online poker tournaments, you’ve probably thought about improving your game to boost your chances of raking in bigger wins. The great news is that there are many different ways to brush up on your skills both at and away from the table, especially if you’re willing to dedicate time and effort to the cause!

One of the best ways to improve your poker prowess is to hire a poker coach. Of course, this costs money (most respected coaches charge around $50 per hour-long session), and there are many questions to ask before deciding to go for it. So, if you think a poker coach might be a good way to get your game up to scratch or even to get you on track for turning pro, here’s everything that you need to know.

What is a Poker Coach?

A poker coach is a poker player with plenty of experience playing – and teaching – the game. Most poker coaches play poker professionally or have done so in the past. You get coaches who only play at land-based casinos, those who play exclusively online and those who enjoy a combination of the two. Ultimately, a poker coach is there to help you improve your poker game and create a winning poker strategy.

What Are the Benefits of a Poker Coach?

The main benefit of hiring a poker coach is that their focus is solely on improving your game based on your unique strategy, playing style, strengths and weaknesses. This tailored approach is bound to bring about breakthroughs for you – more so than if you were only studying poker using generic material. A poker coach provides you with one-on-one attention and assists you in making improvements specifically where they’re most needed.

Along with analyzing your individual game, poker coaches are extremely well-versed in the art of poker. This means that they usually have a good knowledge of various poker strategies that are tried and tested. Not only can they teach you all about these strategies and how to implement them, but they can also identify the strategies best suited to you as a unique player.

When is the Right Time to Hire a Poker Coach?

There’s no right or wrong time to hire a poker coach. Some beginners hire coaches to help them get a better grasp of the intricacies of the game. Even people who’ve been playing casino table games for many years can benefit from coaching, especially if they’ve found themselves stuck in a “rut” or on a persistent losing streak. The only requirement for hiring a coach is to be serious about making improvements.

What to Look for When Choosing Your Poker Coach

An impressive and proven track record is the most important thing to look out for when choosing a poker coach. You’ll want to make sure that the person you hire has enjoyed plenty of success on the felt and has a good reputation in the industry.

Along with a great track record as a player, it’s always beneficial if the person in question already has experience in coaching others. After all, even if someone is an amazing player, they simply might not be a gifted teacher.

Remember, it can be a matter of trial and error when finding the right poker coach for you, so keep looking if the “chemistry” doesn’t feel quite right.

Other Ways to Improve Your Skills

If you decide that finding a poker coach isn’t the right path for you, but you’re still keen to optimize your game, worry not. There are plenty of other options available to you. A few to consider include signing up to take a poker course online, buying and reading books about poker (some of the world’s most respected pros have penned some truly incredible titles full of helpful tips for players who enjoy playing both at land-based casinos and online poker sites) and finding a mentor. The latter is a fantastic option if you happen to have a friend or relative with more playing experience than you and you’re too short on cash to hire a poker coach.

Of course, the most fool-proof way to improve your skills is to practice as much and as often as you can. That means playing real poker online and with friends in your spare time. It can also be useful to download some free poker tracking apps to help you analyze the outcome of your games and make adjustments to your strategy accordingly.

Video and Live Poker Online at BetMGM

In search of an online poker site offering both live dealer and video poker online? BetMGM has got you covered. Take part in online poker tournaments, play Texas hold ’em poker and access our online poker guide to take your game to new heights. We encourage responsible gambling and welcome players of all experience levels from all backgrounds.

Along with casino table games, like poker, roulette and blackjack, we also offer a variety of other casino classics, including a diverse menu of online slots. 

Join BetMGM to Play Poker For Real Money

BetMGM brings you premier online poker. Join BetMGM Poker and explore a variety of poker games available 24/7. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, there’s a game waiting for you anytime, anywhere.