#9: Reasons Why Hiring a Poker Coach is Essential

#9: Reasons Why Hiring a Poker Coach is Essential

In our last newsletter, we got a professional poker player Debayan Das to share insights into his poker mix for the month of Jan 2025. This week on The Gaming Grapevine, we delve into the often overlooked but immensely valuable aspect of poker: COACHING.

While improving your technical skills – hand ranges, bet sizing, game theory optimal play, etc – is crucial, a good coach offers much more. They become your guide, helping you navigate the mental and emotional intricacies of the game, ultimately transforming you into a more well-rounded and successful player. Remember, even the great Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli in cricket had coaches right through their cricketing careers.

How about the ongoing Australian Open 2025 in tennis?! 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic hired a new coach in Andy Murray, who is the same age as him at 37 years of age, and someone who won 3 grand slams during his tenure as a player. Even a GOAT like him doesn’t overlook the importance of having a good coach by his side.

Why you should have a poker coach?

1. Ensuring continuous improvement: Yes, you may be a good player but fresh perspective from another person is always important, especially when it comes from someone whose job is to find weaknesses in gameplay and plug those gaps when they arise.

2. Unlocking your mental game: Poker is very much a mental battle when you’re out on the felts, online or live. Tilt, frustration, and emotional swings can derail even the most talented players. Imagine consistently losing hands due to impatience and over-betting. A coach can help you identify this pattern, teaching you deep breathing exercises to regain composure and visualisation techniques to maintain focus, leading to calmer decisions and more profitable sessions.

3. Building confidence and self-belief: Consistent losses can erode confidence and self-belief of even the best players, across any competitive sport. A coach provides unwavering support, helping you identify areas for improvement while acknowledging your strengths. A player might constantly doubt their decisions, second-guessing every move. A coach can analyse their hands, pointing out successful plays and identifying areas where they played optimally despite the outcome. This builds confidence and encourages players to trust their instincts.

4. Developing a personalised strategy: Every player is unique. A coach analyses your playing style, identifies your strengths and weaknesses, and helps develop a personalised strategy that aligns with your personality and playing preferences.

5. Breaking through plateaus: Hitting a plateau is a common experience for poker players, much it is with other professionals. Imagine an author who has written 90% of his/her book but is struggling to write the concluding chapter. You may feel stuck, unable to improve your results despite consistent effort.

6. Cultivating discipline and consistency: Consistency is key to long-term success in poker. A coach helps you develop a disciplined approach to the game, fostering healthy habits like regular study, consistent practice, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Example: You’ll have someone who will follow up with you on your study routine and assignments.

7. Building a support network: A good coach becomes more than just an instructor; they become a mentor and a trusted confidante. They offer a safe space for you to discuss your challenges, share your frustrations, and celebrate your victories.

In conclusion, while improving your technical skills is undoubtedly important, the true value of a poker coach lies in their ability to guide you beyond the game itself. They help you develop a strong mental game, build unshakeable confidence, and cultivate the discipline and consistency needed for long-term success. By investing in coaching, you are not just improving your poker game; you are investing in yourself, unlocking your full potential both on and off the felt.

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