The most common questions posed about coaching poker are: Why would it benefit me? What does a poker coach do? This is composed to answer those questions, and to offer some insight into proactive strategies a poker player can employ to maximize value from a coach.
Why would it benefit a poker player to invest in a coach? Ironically, this question is never posed by the hall of fame quarterbacks of NFL history; nor do people question the existence of 5 or more coaches on a NBA franchise. Baseball hitters have even sought out psychologists to supplement the full time hitting coaches the major league team provided. Golf and tennis greats including Tiger Woods have coaches. If a tournament player wins 1 first instead of a 5th, or increases his cash rate from 13% of the tournaments entered to 17%; his increase in net profit can be huge. A coach may save large sums of money for any player experiencing slumps, tilt, or poor game selection. A poker coach must first understand the skill level of the player; then his strategic knowledge of the game, and then his goals. He must help define the games that have the highest profit potential for the player; and understand the personal history and life forces (financial, marital and psychological) that influence his poker behavior.
After completing a personal history profile; a preliminary syllabus is addressed in 45-90 minute sessions. Long term adjustments based upon development and goals should be expected. For many players reading is a chore and not enjoyable. Coaches read and reread the literature of poker and direct players to those books and articles most helpful to him. In many instances they serve as the reader and editor of materials. A coach offers a perspective that fellow players usually lack. Your poker pals can be helpful, but they usually view poker problems through their eyes; whereas a coach has to have bifocals (a lens based on the coaches understanding of poker and a lens based on all that he has learned about the player). This is one of the truths a poker coach must remember: answers are situational and personal. They not only vary by the situation, but it is common for advice to be correct for player A and inaccurate for Player B. Finally, confidentiality is crucial to the trust required. Help your coach help you:
- Take notes. Players seldom recall crucial information ranging from blind levels to pot size, from position to player profiles. This renders specific hand analysis difficult.
- Transfer this information to record keeping a.s.a.p.
- Email your coach your results after each tournament or session with any questions.
- Arrange regular communication via telephone, text messaging, as well as email.
- Periodic face to face meetings greatly increase the depth of the process.
- Know that if the goals you outlined dictate major changes it is likely the early stages may involve a downturn. If you wish to avoid this risk; then adjustments will need to be more gradual. In either event; be patient.
- Coaches like accountants, doctors, and lawyers face a regular problem: they advise diets, a tax strategy, or a will and their advice is often ignored. If you feel uncomfortable with, or incapable of following a coaches advice, tell him so and work out a compromise. A good coach will respect your opinion.
