Best Poker Training Sites 2026: Top 8 Ranked by Skill Level

Last updated: May 19, 2026

The best poker training site for most players in 2026 is GTO Wizard ($30–$200/month), which offers real-time GTO analysis and hand reviews powered by solvers. Run It Once (Phil Galfond's site, $25–$100/month) remains the gold standard for video content. Upswing Poker ($30–$200) focuses on structured courses with elite coaches. Free options include Jonathan Little's Poker Coaching YouTube channel and PokerCoach app. This guide ranks 8 training sites by cost, content type, and skill level — from beginner to mid-stakes professional.

Best Poker Training Sites 2026: Top 8 Ranked

Ranked by combination of content quality, skill-level applicability, cost-to-value ratio, and active player base. Skill level badges indicate the primary audience; most sites serve multiple levels.

1

GTO Wizard

Advanced

$0 (free tier) / $30 / $100 / $200 per month

Key Feature: Real-time solver, hand review, quiz mode, range explorer

GTO Wizard is the closest thing to a free precomputed solver available publicly. With 10M+ hand scenarios precomputed and used by 50K+ players monthly, it lets you drill specific spots, review hand histories against solver output, and explore ranges interactively. The free tier covers basic ranges and is genuinely useful. Paid tiers ($30–$200/month) unlock full range trees, advanced quiz mode, and detailed hand review. Best for NL25+ players who want to plug specific leaks by comparing their in-game decisions directly to GTO solutions.

2

Run It Once

Advanced

Phil Galfond · $25 / $100 per month

Key Feature: 500+ videos from elite coaches, community forums

Run It Once remains the gold standard for video-based poker education. Founded by Phil Galfond — one of the greatest online cash game players in history — the site features 500+ videos from elite coaches including Doug Polk and Peter Clarke. Essential membership ($25/month) provides access to a large video library; Elite ($100/month) unlocks the full catalog. Content quality is consistently high, with hand walkthroughs that explain range construction and population tendencies at a depth unavailable elsewhere. Best for NL100+ players who learn well from watching and analyzing real hands.

3

Upswing Poker

Intermediate

Doug Polk & Ryan Fee · $30 / $100+ per month or per course

Key Feature: Lab membership, 30+ courses, 4,500+ quiz questions

Upswing Poker is built around a structured course model rather than an open video library. The Upswing Lab membership ($100/month) gives access to 30+ courses, 4,500+ quiz questions, and regular content updates from Doug Polk, Ryan Fee, and guest coaches. Individual courses are available as one-time purchases. Used by 100K+ students, Upswing is best suited to intermediate-to-advanced players who prefer curriculum-style learning with built-in knowledge checks. The quiz format accelerates retention compared to passive video watching.

4

PokerCoaching.com

Beginner

Jonathan Little · $30–$99 per month

Key Feature: Video courses, private Discord, weekly training sessions

Jonathan Little's PokerCoaching.com serves 50K+ students and is built for structured progression from micro to high stakes. Membership includes video courses, a private Discord community, and live weekly training sessions with Jonathan and guest coaches. The structured curriculum — organized by game type, stake level, and skill concept — makes it easier to follow a clear path than sites with unorganized video libraries. Excellent for beginner through mid-stakes players who want guided development and community accountability alongside their study.

5

Red Chip Poker

Beginner

$5/month or $57/year

Key Feature: CORE curriculum, SPIN videos, strong beginner community

Red Chip Poker is the most affordable structured training option available, making it the top pick for budget-conscious players and beginners. The CORE curriculum ($57 one-time or $5/month) covers fundamentals from preflop hand selection through post-flop decision frameworks. CORE PRO and SPIN video series provide additional depth. The community is particularly active and welcoming to NL2–NL25 players who find other training sites overwhelming or expensive. If you are new to poker study, Red Chip Poker is the lowest-risk starting point.

6

Raise Your Edge

Advanced

Bencb789 · $500–$2,000+ per course

Key Feature: Tournament ICM training, deep MTT strategy courses

Raise Your Edge specializes in tournament poker at a depth unavailable elsewhere. Founded by Bencb789 — a high-stakes MTT regular — the courses cover ICM theory, push-fold strategy, final table dynamics, and tournament-specific preflop construction in thorough detail. The high price ($500–$2,000+ per course) reflects the level of content: this is professional-grade MTT training, not introductory material. Best for tournament grinders already playing NL100+ buy-in events who are serious about moving up stakes.

7

Chip Leader Coaching

Intermediate

$50–$150 per month

Key Feature: ICM training, tournament spots, live coaching sessions

Chip Leader Coaching (CLC) focuses exclusively on tournament poker — MTT and SnG formats — with an emphasis on live coaching and real-time feedback. Monthly membership ($50–$150) includes access to video content on ICM, tournament spot analysis, and live group coaching sessions where students can submit hands for review. The live coaching component differentiates CLC from pure video libraries: getting direct feedback on your specific mistakes accelerates development faster than passive watching. Best for tournament-focused players at NL50 buy-ins and above.

8

Free Resources

Beginner

Various · $0

Key Feature: Equity calculators, YouTube content, preflop range charts

For players new to poker who are not ready to invest, a combination of free resources covers the fundamentals effectively. RiverOdds (this site) provides free equity calculation and odds analysis. Equilab and GTO+ free tiers cover range visualization and basic solver access. Jonathan Little's YouTube channel provides structured beginner content at no cost. Free resources are sufficient through NL2–NL10; beyond NL25, paid training typically becomes ROI-positive as the cost of leaks exceeds the cost of fixing them.

Best Free Poker Training Resources

Free resources cover micro-stakes fundamentals effectively. GTO Wizard's free tier provides precomputed solver access for basic spots. Jonathan Little's YouTube channel offers structured beginner-to-intermediate content. RiverOdds (this site) provides free equity calculation for any hand scenario. Equilab and GTO+ free tiers cover range visualization and basic solver use. These resources are sufficient for NL2–NL10; paid training typically becomes ROI-positive by NL25.

8

Free Resources

Beginner

Various · $0

Key Feature: Equity calculators, YouTube content, preflop range charts

For players new to poker who are not ready to invest, a combination of free resources covers the fundamentals effectively. RiverOdds (this site) provides free equity calculation and odds analysis. Equilab and GTO+ free tiers cover range visualization and basic solver access. Jonathan Little's YouTube channel provides structured beginner content at no cost. Free resources are sufficient through NL2–NL10; beyond NL25, paid training typically becomes ROI-positive as the cost of leaks exceeds the cost of fixing them.

Best for Beginners (NL2–NL25)

Beginners need structured fundamentals — preflop hand selection, basic pot odds, positional aggression — without getting lost in GTO theory they cannot yet apply. Red Chip Poker ($5/month) and PokerCoaching.com ($30–$99/month) both provide clear progression paths. Free resources are adequate at NL2–NL10; investing $5–$30 in structured content pays off quickly once you move to NL25.

4

PokerCoaching.com

Beginner

Jonathan Little · $30–$99 per month

Key Feature: Video courses, private Discord, weekly training sessions

Jonathan Little's PokerCoaching.com serves 50K+ students and is built for structured progression from micro to high stakes. Membership includes video courses, a private Discord community, and live weekly training sessions with Jonathan and guest coaches. The structured curriculum — organized by game type, stake level, and skill concept — makes it easier to follow a clear path than sites with unorganized video libraries. Excellent for beginner through mid-stakes players who want guided development and community accountability alongside their study.

5

Red Chip Poker

Beginner

$5/month or $57/year

Key Feature: CORE curriculum, SPIN videos, strong beginner community

Red Chip Poker is the most affordable structured training option available, making it the top pick for budget-conscious players and beginners. The CORE curriculum ($57 one-time or $5/month) covers fundamentals from preflop hand selection through post-flop decision frameworks. CORE PRO and SPIN video series provide additional depth. The community is particularly active and welcoming to NL2–NL25 players who find other training sites overwhelming or expensive. If you are new to poker study, Red Chip Poker is the lowest-risk starting point.

8

Free Resources

Beginner

Various · $0

Key Feature: Equity calculators, YouTube content, preflop range charts

For players new to poker who are not ready to invest, a combination of free resources covers the fundamentals effectively. RiverOdds (this site) provides free equity calculation and odds analysis. Equilab and GTO+ free tiers cover range visualization and basic solver access. Jonathan Little's YouTube channel provides structured beginner content at no cost. Free resources are sufficient through NL2–NL10; beyond NL25, paid training typically becomes ROI-positive as the cost of leaks exceeds the cost of fixing them.

Best for Intermediate Players (NL50–NL200)

Intermediate players need to move from hand-by-hand thinking to range-based thinking, and to develop bet-sizing discipline and opponent-adjustment frameworks. Upswing Poker's structured curriculum with built-in quizzes accelerates this transition. PokerCoaching.com continues to serve up to NL200 with video content and live coaching. Run It Once becomes relevant here for players who prefer video-based learning from elite coaches.

3

Upswing Poker

Intermediate

Doug Polk & Ryan Fee · $30 / $100+ per month or per course

Key Feature: Lab membership, 30+ courses, 4,500+ quiz questions

Upswing Poker is built around a structured course model rather than an open video library. The Upswing Lab membership ($100/month) gives access to 30+ courses, 4,500+ quiz questions, and regular content updates from Doug Polk, Ryan Fee, and guest coaches. Individual courses are available as one-time purchases. Used by 100K+ students, Upswing is best suited to intermediate-to-advanced players who prefer curriculum-style learning with built-in knowledge checks. The quiz format accelerates retention compared to passive video watching.

7

Chip Leader Coaching

Intermediate

$50–$150 per month

Key Feature: ICM training, tournament spots, live coaching sessions

Chip Leader Coaching (CLC) focuses exclusively on tournament poker — MTT and SnG formats — with an emphasis on live coaching and real-time feedback. Monthly membership ($50–$150) includes access to video content on ICM, tournament spot analysis, and live group coaching sessions where students can submit hands for review. The live coaching component differentiates CLC from pure video libraries: getting direct feedback on your specific mistakes accelerates development faster than passive watching. Best for tournament-focused players at NL50 buy-ins and above.

Best for Advanced Players (NL500+)

Advanced players require solver-based study to identify and correct GTO deviations, and elite-level coaching content that goes beyond general principles. GTO Wizard is the primary tool for spot analysis and range drilling. Run It Once provides the deepest video library of any training site at this level. Tournament specialists at NL500+ buy-ins should add Raise Your Edge for ICM and final table training.

1

GTO Wizard

Advanced

$0 (free tier) / $30 / $100 / $200 per month

Key Feature: Real-time solver, hand review, quiz mode, range explorer

GTO Wizard is the closest thing to a free precomputed solver available publicly. With 10M+ hand scenarios precomputed and used by 50K+ players monthly, it lets you drill specific spots, review hand histories against solver output, and explore ranges interactively. The free tier covers basic ranges and is genuinely useful. Paid tiers ($30–$200/month) unlock full range trees, advanced quiz mode, and detailed hand review. Best for NL25+ players who want to plug specific leaks by comparing their in-game decisions directly to GTO solutions.

2

Run It Once

Advanced

Phil Galfond · $25 / $100 per month

Key Feature: 500+ videos from elite coaches, community forums

Run It Once remains the gold standard for video-based poker education. Founded by Phil Galfond — one of the greatest online cash game players in history — the site features 500+ videos from elite coaches including Doug Polk and Peter Clarke. Essential membership ($25/month) provides access to a large video library; Elite ($100/month) unlocks the full catalog. Content quality is consistently high, with hand walkthroughs that explain range construction and population tendencies at a depth unavailable elsewhere. Best for NL100+ players who learn well from watching and analyzing real hands.

6

Raise Your Edge

Advanced

Bencb789 · $500–$2,000+ per course

Key Feature: Tournament ICM training, deep MTT strategy courses

Raise Your Edge specializes in tournament poker at a depth unavailable elsewhere. Founded by Bencb789 — a high-stakes MTT regular — the courses cover ICM theory, push-fold strategy, final table dynamics, and tournament-specific preflop construction in thorough detail. The high price ($500–$2,000+ per course) reflects the level of content: this is professional-grade MTT training, not introductory material. Best for tournament grinders already playing NL100+ buy-in events who are serious about moving up stakes.

How to Choose a Training Site: 5 Questions

The wrong training site at the wrong time wastes money and study hours. Answer these five questions to narrow your choice:

What is your current stake level?

NL2–NL25 → Red Chip Poker or free resources. NL50–NL200 → Upswing Poker or PokerCoaching.com. NL500+ → GTO Wizard and Run It Once.

Video or solver-based learning?

If you learn by watching, Run It Once or Upswing Poker. If you prefer drilling spots and reviewing specific hands, GTO Wizard.

Cash game or tournament?

Cash game → GTO Wizard, Run It Once, Upswing Poker. Tournament → Raise Your Edge, Chip Leader Coaching.

What is your budget?

$0 → Free resources. $5–$30/month → Red Chip Poker or GTO Wizard free tier. $30–$100/month → Upswing Poker, PokerCoaching.com, Run It Once. $500+ one-time → Raise Your Edge courses.

Do you need community or live coaching?

PokerCoaching.com and Chip Leader Coaching both include private communities and live sessions. Red Chip Poker has an active beginner forum. GTO Wizard and Run It Once are primarily self-study platforms.

Use this table to match your stake level to the best site and focus areas:

Skill LevelFocus AreasRecommended Sites
Beginner (NL2–NL25)Preflop hand selection, pot odds, basic aggressionRed Chip Poker, PokerCoaching.com, Free Resources
Intermediate (NL50–NL200)Range construction, bet sizing, opponent adjustmentsUpswing Poker, PokerCoaching.com, Run It Once
Advanced (NL500+)GTO solutions, solver-based study, population tendenciesGTO Wizard, Run It Once, Raise Your Edge
Tournament SpecialistICM, push-fold, final table dynamicsRaise Your Edge, Chip Leader Coaching

Poker Training Glossary

GTO (Game Theory Optimal)
A strategy that is unexploitable regardless of opponent action. A GTO player's range — the set of hands they play in any given way — is balanced so that opponents cannot profitably deviate. In practice, most winning players use exploitative strategies against opponents with identifiable leaks; GTO serves as a theoretical baseline and a solver-based study framework.
Solver
Software that calculates the GTO-optimal strategy for a given poker spot by iterating toward Nash equilibrium. Desktop solvers (PioSOLVER, GTO+, Monker) require you to input hand ranges and board textures; cloud-based solvers like GTO Wizard pre-compute solutions for millions of spots. Solvers are the primary study tool for serious cash game players at NL100+.
Video Training
Poker education delivered through recorded or live video walkthroughs of hand histories, concept explanations, and strategy sessions. Sites like Run It Once and Upswing Poker are primarily video-based. Video training is effective for pattern recognition and observing expert decision-making processes, but typically needs to be supplemented with active practice and review.
Range Explorer
A tool — available in GTO Wizard and standalone apps like Equilab — that lets you visualize and manipulate ranges of poker hands. You can view any player's range at any decision point as a grid of hand combinations, showing which hands are bet, checked, raised, or folded, and at what frequencies. Range exploration is the foundation of modern GTO-based study.
Hand Review Tool
A feature that allows you to import hand histories and compare your in-game decisions against GTO-optimal solutions or coach commentary. GTO Wizard's hand review mode shows exactly where your decisions deviated from optimal and quantifies the EV (expected value) cost of each mistake. Hand review is the most direct path to identifying specific leaks in your game.
ICM Training
Study focused on Independent Chip Model — the mathematical framework for valuing tournament chips relative to prize pool equity. ICM changes correct strategy significantly near the money bubble and final table: calls that are correct in chip-EV terms may be negative-ICM because the risk of elimination outweighs the chip gain. Sites like Raise Your Edge and Chip Leader Coaching specialize in ICM-based tournament training.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best poker training site?

GTO Wizard for solver-based learning — it has 10M+ precomputed spots and a usable free tier. Run It Once for video content — Phil Galfond's site has the deepest library of elite coaching videos. Red Chip Poker for beginners on a budget — $5/month with a structured curriculum beats paying for advanced content you are not ready to apply. The right answer depends on your stake level and learning style.

Are poker training sites worth it?

Yes, for players with identified leaks. Players who invest in structured training show an average 2–5 bb/100 improvement in measurable win rate within 3 months of consistent study. At NL25 (where a big blind is $0.25), 3 bb/100 over 100,000 hands is $750 — more than a year of most training site subscriptions. The ROI calculation improves significantly at higher stakes, where a single corrected leak can be worth thousands per year.

What is GTO Wizard?

GTO Wizard is a cloud-based poker solver and training platform. Unlike desktop solvers that require you to run calculations yourself, GTO Wizard pre-computes solutions for millions of hand scenarios so you can immediately look up any spot and see the GTO-optimal strategy. It includes a hand review tool (compare your decisions to GTO), a quiz mode (practice ranges interactively), and a range explorer. The free tier covers basic ranges; paid tiers ($30–$200/month) unlock full tree access.

How much does poker training cost?

Free resources (GTO Wizard free tier, Jonathan Little YouTube, RiverOdds calculator) cover the basics at zero cost. Structured beginner training starts at $5/month (Red Chip Poker). Serious players typically spend $30–$100/month on video or solver-based sites. Tournament specialist courses from Raise Your Edge run $500–$2,000+ per course. Most players starting out should begin with free or cheap ($5–$30/month) options and only invest in premium content after identifying specific leaks worth fixing.

Is Upswing Poker or Run It Once better?

Run It Once has better video content from elite players — the coaching roster (Galfond, Polk, Clarke) is unmatched, and the hand walkthroughs are extremely detailed. Upswing has better structured courses and quizzes — the curriculum format with 4,500+ questions builds knowledge more systematically. If you learn by watching and analyzing hand histories, Run It Once is better. If you prefer structured study with knowledge checks and clear progression, Upswing is better. Both are strong at NL100+.

Can I improve with just free resources?

Yes, through micro stakes (NL2–NL10). The free tier of GTO Wizard, Jonathan Little's YouTube channel, and a free equity calculator (like RiverOdds) provide enough material to build a winning foundation at the lowest stakes. Beyond NL25, paid training becomes ROI-positive: the cost of leaks at NL50 exceeds the cost of a $30/month subscription within weeks. Free resources remain valuable supplements at any stake level — they are not a replacement for structured study at NL50+.

Related Guides

Best Poker BooksBest Poker AppsPoker Software ToolsPoker Solver GuideGTO BasicsHow to Study PokerMicro Stakes Strategy

Practice concepts from any training site

Apply GTO ranges and equity calculations in live hand analysis.

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