Sensei’s Poker Dojo

I’ve been coaching students in NLHE cash games for several years now, and have helped dozens of aspiring mid-stakes players achieve their goals of maximizing profits and moving up in stakes. Most prospective students have many questions about the coaching process, so I’ve decided to write up a list of frequently asked questions to make it easier for all of us

How much does coaching cost?

Currently my coaching rate is $400/hr. If you’re interested in purchasing a number of hours in advance, we can work out a discount (like $1600/5 hrs).

Is there a minimum number of hours?

No. If you just want a simple checkup of your game to restore your confidence in a downswing, thats cool. If you want to develop a long-term coaching relationship, even better!

What software/hardware do you use?

I use Skype and Mikogo software for conversing and screen-sharing. You’ll also want to have a decent headset (If you don’t have one, you should get one, they’re a relatively minor investment and very useful). I use a baller Sennheiser headset, but a simpler one will do just fine.

What are your teaching methods?

Most sessions consist of some combination of hand history review, theory and strategy discussion, live sweat, and/or video review. I tend to prefer HH review and strategy discussion as they allow for the most precise targeting of your specific leaks and densely informative discussions. Live sweats are useful if you don’t have many specific questions, since they allow me to get a better idea of your style of play and maybe find some leaks or lines that you weren’t even aware of. They also come with the temporary use of my luckbox!

How long are coaching sessions?

I prefer to schedule most sessions for an hour at a time. More than that can get a little draining on both of us, and less doesn’t really allow for many full and comprehensive discussions.

Can I contact you between sessions if I have some questions?

Absolutely! Our coaching relationship will not be limited to our formal sessions. If you’ve got a hand you are curious about, or an idea for a new line, or a theory question, you’re welcome to contact me on AIM or by email and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Of course you should keep in mind that I have a busy schedule, both coaching and otherwise, so I’d prefer that you limit your questions to a reasonable amount.

When do you coach?

I am in the pacific standard time zone, and prefer to schedule sessions between 1pm and 6pm on Monday through Thursday. Exceptions can be made if absolutely necessary.

What stakes do your students play?

Most of my students play between 1/2 and 5/10, with the majority at 2/4. Most are professional or semiprofessional poker players.

Would you coach for some sort of a profit-sharing deal instead of an hourly fee?

Probably not, that tends to get a little too complicated.

If you’ve got any other questions or are interested in coaching with me, feel free to email me at djsensei@deucescracked.com