Skatesblog: I'm Coaching...

In an attempt to get some more structure in my life, I will begin interactive one-on-one coaching. There are 5 times slots, all from 09:00-10:00 EST Monday through Friday. There are no packages. Your options:
1) We play a series of HU matches at the stake-level of your choice. After, I explain the adjustments I made and how I went about exploiting you specifically. Many players learn how to exploit their villains, but leave themselves unbalanced in the process. When taking this coaching option, I will detail how I go about staying a step-ahead of you in this process. I only recommend this to players playing $115 games and higher, and you should be comfortable playing at least 2 tables so that we can start to see some trends.
2) I instruct you specifically on 15-25BB play. I am a HUSNG player, and have also been shortstacking HU cash games. What this means is that my strongest facet as a player is my ability to play stacks between 15-25BB. In terms of equity in a HUSNG, this is the most important stage, as one BB may be from 2-8% of your tournament buy-in. We will talk about common player types in these stages using concrete language and actual preflop frequencies, and then look at the corresponding maximally exploitive strategies to handle them, as well as a primer on board textures, multi-street lines, and hot/cold equity. We will also establish a baseline strategy for the unknown opponent.
3) Your design. Tell me what you want to do, and I'll see if I can come up with an hours-worth of material that meets your needs. No promises.
Who this is meant for:
- Mid to high-stakes cash game players interested in HUSNGs or how to handle shortstacks heads-up.
- HUSNG players serious about improving to the $230 level and beyond and gaining a more theoretical approach to problem solving.
- HUSNG players already playing $230s+ looking for help handling regs who are capable of exploiting them effectively.
Who this is not meant for:
- Low stakes HUSNG players.
- Players who expect this to solve all of their problems without due work.
My hope is that you pay for one session, and one session only. If I can teach you how to think, the rest is on your own. Current price is $300 for one session, but only because this is a new approach. If a few people try this and enjoy it, the price will increase, as I believe this service is worth far more than that to anyone who is seeking it.
Coaching will be via Skype & TeamViewer.
There are a few other smaller high-level concepts I could discuss on request, and if there is a way that I can better meet your learning needs feel free to contact me. If your learning type isn't compatible with how most coaching is conducted, talk to me, and we might be able to work something out.
If you don't have a username on husng.com, you can reach me by PM on 2+2 under the username "skates".
- Skates's blog
- Login or register to post comments

Tinker0815 says:
Hi Skates,
That is very interesting. But however I have a question.
What is the justification not to coach a player below the 115$ limit?
Don't you think its good to learn the stuff from the beginn of a career?
Cheers
Tinker
Radeh says:
I don't play those stakes, but I had a chance to talk strategy with Skates when he was in London. He thinks about the game on a very deep level, and signing up for a few sessions with him if you're playing the $115+ stakes should be a total no brainer.
The guy's pretty much the Tiger Woods of poker math ;)
You might also wanna have a chat with him about super turbos, just a tip...
I doubt it's worth it for a lowstakes player though. Not because you won't learn anything, but rather because others can teach you the basics for cheaper. However, for anything more complex...which is what you need to beat the highstakes games...Skates should definitely boost your edge :)
__________________________
Goats!!! MORE GOATS!!!
Skates says:
Thanks for the thoughts Radeh. No coaching in hyper-turbos from me though :).
Tinker, Radeh got it pretty much right. I am not looking to coach or teach basic concepts. I'm going to assume the people who get coaching from me already know what range-oriented thinking, know basic hand-reading, and are comfortable beating some lower limits already. I want to talk about advanced concepts. I want to pick someone's brains to find out how they think about the game, and come up with ways to use their angle to balance themselves and come up with profitable strategies against those who attack their angle.
So, I don't think it would be appropriate for a lower-limit player.
mangansie says:
Yeah also got the chance to talk with Skates and Radeh in London, and for sure he thinks using very advanced concepts. Hugely impressive but I can't claim to have understood every bit of it.
I guess it's the same as learning to walk before learning to run. Walking here is defined as beating low stakes. If you can't beat the low stakes then learning to run is only going to confuse and you'll fall a lot!
P.S. Hope you'd a good flight Skates - how are things?
riskoriented says:
dibs
View All My Articles