• Poker

Best Poker Courses to Help You Up Your Game

The fastest way to build on your poker skills—whether you’re just starting out, have some experience but feel stuck, or you’re chasing high-stakes glory—is by grabbing a killer poker course.

We’ll highlight some of the absolute best poker courses available online, perfect for all skill levels! Plus, if you’ve ever wondered about dealing cards professionally, We’ve even tossed in a section on poker dealer classes. Stick around, and by the time we’re through, you’ll know exactly which poker course is your best bet.

Best Poker Courses for Beginners

Jumping into poker for the first time can be intimidating—there’s a ton to learn, and it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. What beginners really need is clear, straightforward guidance covering essentials like hand rankings, betting basics, and foundational strategies, without getting bogged down by complex theory. Here’s the lowdown on the best beginner-friendly poker courses that’ll have you confidently playing (and winning) in no time.

Poker Coaching

Poker Coaching by Jonathan Little offers a structured learning path that caters to beginners while also providing room for growth. The interactive nature of the platform sets it apart, featuring quizzes and challenges that test your understanding of key concepts.

Pros:

• Beginner friendly lessons with structured progression
• Interactive quizzes to reinforce learning
• Access to coaching from experienced pros

Cons:

• Subscription-based, which may not suit all budgets
• Advanced content might feel overwhelming for absolute beginners

Red Chip Poker

Red Chip Poker is a community-driven platform with tons of content aimed at new players. Their CORE program offers structured learning modules that guide you from the basics to more intermediate strategies. They also provide podcasts and forums for extra support.

Pros:

• Affordable compared to other platforms
• Community engagement through forums and podcasts
• Strong emphasis on fundamental strategy

Cons:

• Some content assumes prior poker knowledge
• Less interactive than some other courses

Poker Nerve

Poker Nerve’s Road to Success course is a great choice for players looking to develop strong fundamentals while also understanding the psychological side of poker. It combines strategy, mindset coaching, and structured lessons to help beginners build confidence.

Pros:

• Covers both technical strategy and poker mindset
• Easy-to-follow course structure
• Focus on long term skill development

Cons:

• Limited free content
• Some sections might feel slow-paced for players with prior knowledge

Best Poker Courses for Intermediates

Intermediate players already have a grasp on the basics and are ready to refine their strategy. These courses focus on more advanced concepts, including game theory, optimal betting patterns, and exploitative play.

Chip Leader Coaching

Chip Leader Coaching specializes in tournament play, helping players transition from mid-stakes to high-stakes games. The focus is on in-depth hand analysis, exploitative strategies, and understanding player tendencies. For tournament players serious about boosting their results, Chip Leader Coaching hits the mark.

Pros:

• Ideal for tournament players looking to level up
• Insights from high-stakes pros
• Strong focus on real-world applications

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other options
• More suited for tournament players than cash game specialists

UpSwing Poker

UpSwing Poker is one of the biggest names in poker training, thanks in large part to founder and poker pro Doug Polk. These guys cover everything from tournaments to cash games, breaking down poker theory into clear, actionable strategies. If you’re looking for a structured approach that’ll sharpen your decision-making at the tables, you can’t go wrong here.

Pros:

• Comprehensive training for both cash games and tournaments
• Regularly updated content
• Strong theoretical foundation

Cons:

• Some courses are pricey
• Can be dense for players who prefer quick, actionable tips

BBZ Poker

BBZ Poker is all about sharpening your edge with advanced strategies built on game theory and exploitative play. Their highly interactive coaching sessions push your critical thinking at the tables, making it a solid pick for players serious about pushing their game right into the next level. 

Pros:

• Great for players who enjoy deep strategy discussions
• Live coaching and interactive content
• Covers a variety of poker formats

Cons:

• Requires a solid foundational knowledge
• Less structured for complete self-paced learning

Advanced Poker Courses

If you’re an experienced player looking to break into high-stakes games or refine your approach to elite-level competition, these courses offer some of the best poker training available.

Solve for Why

Solve for Why, founded by Matt Berkey, is designed for players who want to understand poker at a deeper level. The course covers advanced game theory, live play dynamics, and exploitative strategies.

Pros:

• Focus on live poker dynamics
• Strong emphasis on exploitative play
• Advanced hand analysis techniques

Cons:

• Not suited for online only players
• Premium pricing

Raise Your Edge

Raise Your Edge’s Tournament Masterclass is one of the most well-known advanced poker courses, especially for tournament players. It provides a structured curriculum that covers deep-stack strategy, ICM concepts, and mental game coaching.

Pros:

• Comprehensive tournament strategy content
• High-level coaching from top professionals
• Strong focus on mindset and mental resilience

Cons:

• Requires a time commitment to get the most value
• Pricey for casual players

Run It Once

Run it Once gives you access to a massive library of poker training videos, featuring insights from some of the sharpest poker minds in the business. Rather than sticking to a single method, their platform lets you learn from multiple coaches and approaches, providing a well-rounded way to strengthen your poker skills.

Pros:

• Huge variety of content
• Access to multiple professional coaches
• Flexible learning options

Cons:

• Subscription based pricing
• No structured course progression

Poker Dealer Classes

Maybe playing professionally isn’t your goal—perhaps you’d rather control the action as a dealer. If you’re eyeing a career in the casino industry, these dealer classes will help you land that gig.

Poker Dealer School

This fully online course is ideal as a first step into the world of poker dealing, giving you foundational knowledge from the comfort of your home. It’s a great starting point, but keep in mind you’ll eventually want real-world practice to land a casino gig.

Dealer Training School

Located in Colorado, this dealer training school is known as one of the best in the country. Offering hands-on experience and extensive real-world training, it’s perfect for those serious about dealing professionally on casino floors.

How We Picked These Poker Courses

We didn’t just randomly choose these poker courses—we made sure each recommendation checks key boxes.  Our selection process was thorough, ensuring that every course offers real value to players at different skill levels.

Get Started With Online Poker Today!

Picking the right poker course can seriously speed up your progress. It doesn’t matter if you are brand new to poker or a long-time card shark, everyone can benefit from quality poker education. Ready to shuffle up and deal? Why not check out our full poker guide — it’s packed full of tips, tricks, and expert advice to help you dominate the poker tables.