I was a member of RealPokerTraining.com a few years ago. I check pocketfives and 2+2 and read the forums but I don’t post. I plan on using the forums here to really start discussing hands and improving my tournament game. I personally don’t read poker magazines just because I don’t have a subscription to Cardplayer or whatever but I would def read them otherwise. I have downloaded various poker books from torrent sites like HoH and winning poker tournaments one hand at a time but I tend to get bored reading page after page of hand analysis (althought there is alot of very valuable information contained within). I have also downloaded various ‘pros’ from oother training sites to see how they play and how they teach. Basically, the best resource for poker is the internet (training sites, poker websites, blogs etc..)

Honestly, a few years ago I was SOOO into online poker but once I took a long break between 2008 to the end of 2009 I lost my drive and focus but now i’m back and having said that I may not be the best person to answer your questions though as i’m just now starting to get that drive and determination back.

I will say that I have checked out the other training sites and watched their ‘sample videos’. I feel that the sample video really is the make or break factor when deciding what site to join. I feel you should put up about a 10-15 minute ‘sample video’ that REALLY shows what the instructors can do and HOW they teach. The sample video from the other Pro on this site is more along the lines of what needs to be shown to poker players who are deciding which site to join. Bigdogpkt5s video is great BUT it is to short. I, personally need to figure out if the Pro that is teaching can actually TEACH and EXPLAIN their thought processes in a way that I, a small stakes player will understand and be able to implement. Also, HAND READING (this type of play means this, he prob does NOT have this because, he is rasing here so he probabaly has a range of..) type stuff is what I am most interested in.

Here is an example – A few years ago, Chad “lilholdem954” Batista was signed on to RealPokerTraining.com. Everyone was excited and the membership SOARED. I was actualy there at Chads house when he recored a Super Tuesday win and once I actually watched the video I was really disapointed with his explinations of what he did and why. He used to say “I don’t really know why I did that, but it felt like the right thing to do” etc…and to me that is NOT going to help me improve my game. I have not watched a video yet from the Pros on this site (just signed up today) but I really, REALLY hope that the quality of the instruciton is as good as their poker game(s).

I still think the best promotion for the site would be word of mouth advertising and that is only going to happen IF the videos being shown to us members are CHOCK FULL of useful, insightful, practical poker advice that we can apply right away. It all hinges on the instructors in my option. You can offer all sorts of bells and whistles but the bottom line is, if the instruction is not up to snuff, then youre site will suffer.

Hope this ramble helps