Best Poker Training Sites for December 2024

December 6, 2024 by Daniel Smyth

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 and Elite University are two 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 homepage

PokerCoaching.com is one of the best poker training sites I’ve tried in recent years for a few reasons. The free eBooks and GTO are ideal for newbies trying to get ahead of the curve without spending a cent. I also like the quizzes and interactive elements of this poker training site.

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
Standard	Intermediate	Additional quizzes and charts, articles covering the fundamentals of poker	$39 per month
Premium	Advanced	Access to over 70 poker training courses and live weekly coaching	$118 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

Elite University

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.

For these reasons, I recommend Elite University to cash game players who prefer the human side of poker. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t get a solid grounding in the mathematics of poker from Elite University. However, if you want to come at strategy concepts from a slightly different angle, I recommend some of the courses on Elite University, including the mindset masterclass.

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	plus a discount	$997 per year

Enlist at Elite University here.

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. Some of the top tools are:

PokerTracker

Packages: 14-day free trial, small stakes ($64.99), all stakes ($99.99)
What it Does: tracks hands and displays live statistics

This poker training app has been around since 2014 and remains a staple for all online players. Put simply, PokerTracker records all of the hands you play and stores them in a database so you can review them using a series of inbuilt tools. PokerTracker also offers a live Heads-Up Display (HUD) so you can see an opponent’s statistics in real time.

Holdem Manager

Packages: 14-day free trial, small stakes ($60), all stakes ($100)
What it Does: tracks hands and displays statistics in real-time

Serious poker players use Holdem Manager if they don’t use PokerTracker. For all intents and purposes, Holdem Manager offers the same tools as PokerTracker. Personally, I use Holdem Manager because I prefer the design and layout. I also think the hand visualizer and HUD are easier to use.

Poker CoPilot

Packages: $105
What it Does: track your own hands and get real-time stats on opponents

I recommend Poker CoPilot if you want an alternative to PokerTracker and Holdem Manager. The tracker updates in real-time and uses data from other users to highlight possible leaks in your game. The HUD gives you the option to track up to 60 metrics, including VPIP, PFR, and Agg.

You can also turn on the HUD’s advanced tracking features and get statistics for each street. This level of detail can help you make better decisions in tough spots because you’re getting data on specific spots rather than an opponent’s general playing style.

GTO Wizard

Packages: Free, Starter ($39 per month), Premium ($69 per month)
What it Does: tells you the GTO move for any situation

This is the ultimate poker training app for Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategy. The premise is simple: enter some hand details, and GTO Wizard will run through the possible permutations and give you the best move. As well as entering your own hands, GTO Wizard has more than 10 million pre-solved solutions you can review.

PioSolver

Packages: PioSolver Pro ($249), PioSolver Edge ($549)
What it Does: get GTO solutions for custom and pre-defined hands

Other than GTO Wizard, PioSolver is the app that gets a lot of love from pros. One of PioSolver’s major selling points is the fact that it’s easier to use than other poker solvers. The interface is basic.

In fact, it looks so basic that you’d be forgiven for thinking it couldn’t solve a Rubik’s Cube, let alone the many possible lines you can take in a poker hand. The reality, however, is that PioSolver is extremely powerful, even though other poker solvers have more features. That being said, you can still get preflop, flop, turn, and river GTO solutions for Hold’em within a few clicks.

RangeConverter

Packages: free, Reg ($19/$29 per month), Pro ($67/$99 per month)
What it Does: GTO poker trainer and range viewer

The advanced poker training app is for anyone who wants to master GTO strategy. I love the fact you can access a variety of free poker training resources via the RangeConverter website, including charts. Those who pay monthly get access to heads-up GTO range training software for an ever-increasing number of situations. Basically, the more expensive the package, the more preflop and post-flop situations you get GTO solutions for. Something else that’s neat about RangeConverter is that it connects to other popular poker training apps, including PioSolver.

Poker Academy

Packages: 3-day trial + from $19 per month to $199 per month
What it Does: preflop charts, GTO solver, and real-time poker training game

Poker Academy contains a variety of powerful tools. The preflop charts are great for intermediate players wanting to tighten up their opening ranges. For more advanced poker training, this app has an AI cloud-based solver that allows you to analyze hands from a variety of angles by using up to seven different bet sizes. Finally, you can use the poker simulator to run through scenarios and get real-time feedback on up to four tables at once.

PokerSnowie

Packages: Intermediate ($99 a year), Pro ($229.50 a year)
What it Does: allows you to analyze hands and find leaks in your game

PokerSnowie is what I call a next-generation poker training app. It combines the power of a poker tracker with a GTO solver to create a comprehensive training tool. There are a lot of things to like about PokerSnowie, including the fact that you can input hands and get feedback on where you went wrong. However, for me, its defining feature is a poker training game. Basically, you get to play against AI bots and get real-time advice on errors you’ve made. It’s like playing with a pro watching you, except there’s no money on the line.

Popular Poker Courses

There are hundreds of online poker training courses out there, which means there’s something for everyone. Based on my experience, the following three courses offer clear and effective advice for players at each stage of their journey:

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.

hero's journey

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 perfect example of this. You get to watch Slick Ric go from newbie to grinder. As well as live poker training content, this course gives you an insight into Ric’s coaching sessions. The end result is one of the most authentic and effective poker training courses I’ve watched.

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

elite university ranges

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.

You need to know how to construct and deconstruct ranges in poker variants and at every level. By this, I mean you need to know what ranges work from different positions and, in turn, how to put opponents on ranges. The Range Analysis mini-series on Elite University is an excellent resource in this regard.

As well as giving you tips on how to construct ranges that work well from a variety of positions and against a variety of opponents. You’ll also learn how to analyze your opponent’s ranges so you can read situations more effectively and make better decisions. Once you start to get more comfortable with these techniques you can test them out on some of the best offshore poker sites.

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

mindset masterclass

There are plenty of advanced poker training courses online. The advanced cash game and tournament courses on PokerCoaching.com are great. However, when you graduate to the upper echelons of poker, winning takes more than a solid grasp of GTO. That’s why I recommend Charlie Carell’s Mindset Masterclass poker training program.

Carrel is notoriously opposed to GTO-only thinking. He likes to exploit patterns and the psychological tendencies of poker players. To master this way of playing, you need to understand your mindset and the mindset of those around you. This poker training course is perfect for that. In my opinion, it might give you a tiny edge that makes a big difference.

Different Poker Training Resources

Just like taking advantage of poker bonuses, it is important to take advantage of all your poker training resources. The best poker training sites are multifaceted. By that, I mean you’ll be able to learn strategy concepts in a variety of ways. Some of the most effective poker trainer tools I’ve used over the last decade are:

Poker Training Videos

The best online poker training sites are built on videos. My go-to online poker training schools, PokerCoaching and Elite University, have hundreds of videos covering all manner of topics. The great thing about poker training videos is that they bring concepts to life.

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

We live in the age of podcasts, so it’s no surprise that this auditory medium has become one of the best free poker training resources in recent years. I’ll immediately click the play button when I see a new podcast (or YouTube video) from Phil Galfond.

Doug Polk’s poker hand breakdowns are also packed with high-quality game theory optimal (GTO) tips. For longer-form poker trainer podcasts, Only Friends is a great option. Hosted by high-stakes pro Matt Berkey and featuring a selection of talented guests, it’s a great free alternative to the best poker training sites.

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.

That, for me, is important because it takes time for strategy concepts to sink in. For example, if you’re wrestling with the mathematics of pot odds, it’s helpful to pause and think about it. After a while, poker hand probability will become second nature to you.

It’s just easier to take stock of what’s been said if you’re reading poker training articles. Moreover, text is always visible. You can read and re-read it, which, for me, is more effective than listening to something. We’ve got plenty of free articles for training poker players, so give them a read.

Live Poker Training Camps

Veteran pros have been training poker proteges for decades. In fact, you can sit down in any live game, and someone will give you advice on how to play, solicited or otherwise. All jokes aside, there are live poker training camps you can attend.

For example, Solve For Why, founded by the aforementioned Berkey, runs a series of live poker training camps for cash game and tournament players. Typically taking place in Las Vegas, the multi-courses combine lectures, Q&As, and live games. Another notable live poker training camp is LearnWPT’s Workshops.

Poker Simulator Training

Online poker training software has evolved significantly since I started playing. When I first started taking the game seriously, the only poker training app I used was Holdem Manager. I then started playing around with a basic range analyzer for SNG push/fold strategies.

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.

I’m not saying you’ll automatically become a winning player using these tools, but they accelerate the process. There’s no doubt that poker solvers have made the game tougher. However, there’s nothing stopping you from using them. Therefore, if you want to get ahead of the curve, check out the poker training apps I recommended at the start of this guide, such as RangeConverter.

Is There Free Online Poker Training?

Search for “poker training free resources,” and Google will return hundreds of results. Some of these free poker training resources will be worth using, but a lot of them won’t be. I’m not saying you shouldn’t use free poker training articles and videos. I used plenty of freebies when I first started playing.

However, there’s an old saying that you get what you pay for, and it holds true for online poker training. Therefore, I’d urge caution when it comes to free resources. I’ve already given you some ideas of where to find the best free online poker training resources, but here’s a quick recap:

Poker training articles (such as those on PokerScout.com)
Poker podcasts (such as Only Friends)
Poker forum posts
Poker YouTube videos

The best poker training sites are also free to use. For example, PokerCoaching gives you 20 interactive hand quizzes, 10 coaching classes, GTO pre-flop charts, and weekly training updates. The same is true of Elite University. As well as impromptu promotions that give you access to free webinars, Elite University has a free membership option that includes beginner guides and study sessions.

I highly recommend all of these free poker training resources. In my view, it’s worth paying for advanced poker training advice, but only once you’ve mastered the basics. The free membership options at PokerCoaching and Elite University give you the basics. Then, once you’re ready, you can upgrade your membership to get advanced poker training resources.

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 great for everyone. This is particularly true for beginners because you can get a grounding in the fundamentals of poker without spending a fortune. For example, PokerCoaching has a ton of free poker training eBooks, preflop charts, and cheat sheets.

These resources can be combined with the free membership option, which gives you access to 10 poker training courses, including “Master the Fundamentals.” When it comes to poker training online for free, sites such as PokerCoaching are ideal if you want to master the basics.

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 aren’t just filled with videos, charts, and tools. The top poker training sites have Discord channels, forums, and interactive group training sessions. Don’t sleep on these resources because they’re a great way to get feedback and clarify things you’re unsure about.

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.

Best Online Poker Sites in the US

Why spend time reading about what I have to say about the best online poker training sites if you’re not going to play? Below are a few of my favorite places to play poker online. As well as being great places to put your new skills into practice, these online poker sites are filled with players who clearly haven’t watched any poker training videos.

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Our Top Online Poker Site – CoinPoker

I predominantly play poker on CoinPoker these days. I was initially drawn to the site because Tony G was splashing around in $1,000/$2,000 cash games with a bunch of rich amateurs. I soon discovered that it was a crypto site. Having first written about the potential of Bitcoin and poker in 2012, I was intrigued.

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What are Poker Training Sites?

Online training sites offer strategy tips, poker theory, and tools for a general audience. That means the content can’t be too specific. As I’ve said, the best poker training sites have courses and resources for players at all levels.

However, a poker training program listed on Elite University, for example, isn’t tailored to a specific individual. That’s why poker training sites are for a general audience. If you want training tailored to your needs, you can work with a poker coach.

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 fundamental difference between poker training websites and poker coaching websites is that the latter are for individuals. Poker coaches assess your play and work to plug specific leaks in your game. That’s why I would only pay for a coach if you’re an experienced player.

That doesn’t mean newbies can’t get a coach. However, any coach worth using will charge upwards of $200 per hour. You don’t need to pay someone that much money to learn the basics when you can get poker training for free at sites such as PokerCoaching.com.

I don’t want you to pay for something you can get for free, particularly if you’re trying to build your bankroll. Therefore, if you’re a newbie or intermediate player, I’d use my recommended poker training sites. If you’re more experienced and want some advanced poker training, consider coaching.

Best Poker Training Site – Our Verdict

Are the best poker training sites worth investing in? In my opinion, they are. I’ve used various training sites in the past and gotten a lot from them. Do I think you need to subscribe to one forever? No. I like to dip in and out based on my results and whether I need to brush up on a few things.

What I will say, however, is that online poker training schools are great for newbies. Once you’ve got some experience, it’s OK to dip in and out. However, if you’re a beginner, I recommend watching as many poker training videos as possible until you’ve mastered the fundamentals.

Here are three things to consider if you’re on the fence:

You don’t have to risk anything because the top poker training websites offer free content.
Poker training videos allow you to gain experience you might not get by playing alone.
There are poker training courses for everyone, regardless of your playing style.

You don’t have to enroll in a poker training course to become a better player, but it helps. In my opinion, the top poker training sites give you the opportunity to improve quicker than you otherwise would have. That’s important because poker is a game that evolves extremely quickly.