Are you UNCOACHABLE at poker?!?

I recently start a staking / coaching-for-profits team, and I wanted to make a video for future applicants on what it takes to succeed in poker, and what I look for in applicants. We look at attitude, dedicated practice, mental game, and why many players fail despite having access to amazing coaching and instruction.
If you're interested in climbing the online cash game ranks in a literally risk-free environment, apply at overnightmonster.com!
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[@drewdickinson6374]

The video the poker community doesn’t want, but the one it needs. All the best.

[@mmelson]

You touched on two things in this video that I've personally really struggled with. The first was intentional practice. I have so many things that I need to work on that I often get overwhelmed and end up either not able to focus on any of them or just avoiding playing altogether. The idea of focusing on just one thing at a time is so obvious, but sometimes you just need to hear someone say it for the lightbulb to go off. The other issue I have a lot of trouble with is going from the "what" when studying to the "why". I'm terrible at rote memorization, but I'm great at understanding underlying rules, but with poker I feel like I'm just not able to make that first step from one to the other. It seems that most training is just focused on the "what" and the ones that are focused on the "why" seem to do it in ways that don't click for me. I would love to hear any thoughts you have on ways to start bridging that what-to-why gap as well as different ways of potentially framing those rules and situations.

[@naffasounds]

i think the "why" becomes a framing of mind you develop. I think thinking about the "why" is understanding how every decision you make is going to affect action on every street, not just the one you're on e.g. understanding the process of betting big on the flop out of position may leave you in a big river spot that isn't fun and you keep having to fold. So betting big when you flop good maybe is "what" you should do but there may be good reasons as to "why" you would opt for another option or bet size. Usually it is an understanding of opponents' tendencies where you get the "why" and there's no real guide to this as every player is different. you have to get out there and observe that player X doesn't like big river bets unless they have the nuts or player Y reraises every hand he plays so then you use that info to try and win. e.g. you can bet pot on the river with any 2 cards if player X only calls big with the nuts. This isn't "what" you would do if you were to play perfect poker but the reason "why" makes it very valid method of winning the game. Not certain this is what you were after exactly but I tried to help! I find that when I join a table I will play to the "what"s until I develop an understanding of who I'm playing and that's where the "why"s start to come in.

[@johnnyblackrants7625]

A lot of that isn’t your fault. Videos will go “obviously a 33% range bet” and you’ll be watching it like… okay i guess.

[@bcni4732]

Greatest of respect to you for talking about your mental issues so openly! Probably took a lot of overcoming power but was most certainly very relieving.

[@oldterry9476]

I've always struggled with a lack of stick -to -itiveness in anything I've done .it always was frustrating as it seemed like something i could overcome but as I have become older I have decided to accept me as I am not destined to be a champion but realizing its not the end of the world Watching this video I can see why I never became an outstanding poker player but also that other people have much more serious problems good luck with your struggles I hope everything works out for you

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

I've always been frustrated with that too and was diagnosed with adult adhd. Have you ever thought about getting tested?

[@oldterry9476]

Yes I too was diagnosed with ADHD but I was in my 50s at the time I'm 80 now I hope you are having good luck with your and struggles

[@jamwithchris]

I like the video format very much. Great information as always, I have done two different coaching for profits and bought several courses during the past 10+ years and only after purchasing your course and joining the FB group did I understand that it was me that was the problem. I am still here though. Thank you

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

Great job! Stick with it Christopher!

[@TheOneJameYT]

Found you through Wolfgang. Looking forward to improving my game past the 1/2 live stakes.

[@reverplusgrand]

Great informative video full of good advice. Enjoyed you diving into the mental side of Poker at the end. I think this is a key aspect as to why within a CFP some make it and others don't. If the team all shares the same material you would assume lack of success is not due to the strategy the individual uses but more the mental / performance blockages that have stopped this player from utilising the Team's material as effectively as the high achievers. Would enjoy a few more of these type of vids. Performance and mindset side of poker is fascinating

[@jsh0822]

I love the sincerity, thanks for being human. I will say coaching needs to be able to be digested easily or at least on some basic comprehensive level. Conquer your demons, if your bother playing 2 5 may as well stay home and crush zone.

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

Triple agree

[@modestomouso1234]

Only thing is 2-5 live is way softer than even 100nl zone or blitz. Gotta be a lot more studied to crush comparable online stakes to live

[@webslinger516]

Thank you for sharing about your mental health. I also have similar anxiety problems. The Anxious Truth podcast has helped a lot with it. Hang in there brother.

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@earlbucket4280]

Great vid Alvin, this is a tough pill for me to swallow but I appreciate the advice. Appreciate you opening up, too.

[@jeremytimmons]

Great stuff as always. Especially the mental health bits at the end. I just learned you did tch commentary the other night, I need to go watch it.

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

Hahahaha I spend like 3/4 of my time announcing a bluff or value bet incoming and they check. They always check. ❤️

[@ciaranmccarthy6960]

Hey man have enjoyed your videos for a while. Just wanted to say great video and unique perspective

[@modestomouso1234]

What up fellow Rampage poker FB group friend! Good to see you blowing up, I know you were crushing online for a long while, and then moved onto the higher stakes cash game streets. Love to see it! I did have one question though. Who do you think has a better shot at making a better hourly/more overall EV, given same skill level, study habits, etc; players playing live cash, online cash, live MTTs, online MTTs?

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

Live cash

[@modestomouso1234]

@@AlvinTeachesPoker Wow, was not expecting that answer haha. I guess it’s a mix of how soft the games are live compared to online, and your hourly can be better vs online? I’d assume more easy to move up in stakes live as well. Ive dabbled in some online and live cash, but mainly play online MTTs. Obviously high variance, but in the last couple years since I started taking poker more seriously, I’ve been a decently profitable rec (probably party due to playing in PA where we have legal online sites that are pretty soft + smaller fields). Getting the itch to switch over to cash tho, as it seems like a more steady stream of profit, less variance, etc

[@ralphlill5496]

Excellent video Alvin ... thank you!!!

[@michaelclifford6659]

Thank you this was great!

[@leonidasp.3813]

Great Video Alvin!

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@keithdunlap]

Thanks, Spot on.

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

Thanks for watching!

[@craigerc713]

Ok..when do you to start coaching me?

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

Overnightmonster.com has applications for staking, and you can email be at [e-mail] if you're looking for one on one.

[@garywu6488]

Will you expand into PLO at any point?

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

I already play plo fairly often but won't coach it until I'm a winning $2/5-5/10 online player

[@jasonparker7585]

Great video!

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

Thank you!

[@xxChacaronXX]

I’m currently at 10nl but realized it’s not worth playing. I’m only studying and practicing(with GTO Wizard) now when I have the time for poker since playing 10nl isn’t worth it. Is it better to do it this way and to just start at 25Nl+? Studying GTO and common exploits/leaks that regulars have seem to be the best use of my time.

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

No small stakes game is worth your time to make money, but they are all great for mastering the basics.

[@modestomouso1234]

Depends on your bankroll as well. Can your poker roll withstand variance at 25nl? If so I would def start at 25nl, work your way up to 50nl and then 100nl. Probably need at least 50k hands at each stake to get a good idea of your win rate

[@krissavagelive]

citizenwind spitting bars 🔥🔥

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

Damn that's my government name

[@persuadeo]

well and gently said

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

Haven't talked to you in too long, grandmaster! Let's catch up soon.

[@DoubleBassX2]

Hell yeah live 1/2 is my bread and butter; currently crushing a local $8 rake, 150bb-cap, 1/2 game for $60/h over a few months of playing every day but there's no way that's sustainable right?

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

I think that's sustainable in some games for sure though 8bb is almost criminal

[@DanDanOreo]

Amazing video.

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

Glad you think so!

[@G0DofRock]

@8:45 I had a friend like that once who wanted to dive into the poker world, they did not want to continue studying, they did not care for my coaching or the courses I gave them, and eventually started questioning my advice even when I would explain it in depth. Jumped stakes until they couldn't take it and quit.

[@modestomouso1234]

Yup, had 2 friends like this as well. They liked playing, but would refuse to study and thought they knew it all. My one friend Greg started playing micro online MTTs a bit, and I would bring his table up on my laptop while talking to him on the phone, trying to explain some basic concepts to him. He just wasn’t having it lol. Would constantly limp from various positions, refused advice about bet sizing, basically it was trying to teach a fish to walk on land 😆

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

First.

[@PinchePerroMetiche]

lol

[@theodorenichols2881]

"Promo sm" 😃

[@cadebruce4401]

I feel like coach over complicated. just study and test yourself different sims every single day like you’re studying for a test and you’ll crush guaranteed.

[@cadebruce4401]

exploit is overrated. If you play even close to approaching gto you’ll have 10bb/100+

[@cadebruce4401]

the understanding ‘why’ has to happen for you to know the answer to a wide variety of sims. So it’s not like some secret thing you need to specifically hone in on, it’s just natural from breadth/ depth.

[@cadebruce4401]

Also nobody should ever play small stakes at any point in their poker career. It’s completely useless for learning and makes less than minimum wage. Sim it up and go straight for the biggest stake you can afford (from working a real job…)

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

I can't tell if you're trolling or not ❤

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

​@@cadebruce4401yeah but you can just pick up free money 😂

[@therealhossroot]

Man, you delete a lot of comments, including this one.

[@AlvinTeachesPoker]

I actually don't remember the last time I deleted a comment but okay

[@therealhossroot]

@@AlvinTeachesPoker I'm not trollin, I sincerely enjoy your content. Simplefications and heuristics backed in game theory is the only way to play and coach IMO. I commented that I'd like to see a monthly subscription plan on overnight monster. $650 for the course is steep for a 50NLer. Although worth it I'm sure. I must have closed the browser like an idiot before posting. Take care Alvin.

[@lukebruce5234]

@@therealhossroot KZbin autodeletes comments all the time, especially when using links...