What is the best poker training app for iPhone, Android, and desktop devices? The answer depends on what you want to learn. Today, there are poker apps for all manner of things. As well as mobile versions of the best real money card rooms, you can improve your game using apps. From ICM and GTO to novice cash game strategies and advanced MTT play, you can master poker’s nuances in a variety of ways. With this in mind, here are the best training apps for all of the important concepts in poker.
TRAINING APPS
TOK Learn Poker App
This poker trainer app was developed by Jelle Van den Eynde and provides a basic outline of the game. It’s not the most advanced product out there, but it’s perfect if you’re new to the world of poker online. The TOK Learn Poker App’s main feature is quizzes. You can learn hand rankings, equities, and winning strategies by running through various simulations and answering quiz questions.
DTO Poker Trainer
How do you learn to play poker like a pro? Simple: you use a poker coaching app designed by one. DTO Poker Trainer was created by German pro: Dominik Nitsche. The neat thing about DTO is that it teaches you game theory optimal (GTO) strategy in an accessible way. Basically, everything plays out like a video game. You’re presented with scenarios and you have to make the best GTO move. The app rates your performance and then displays the best options for the given scenario. This allows you to master complex poker strategies in a simple way. This isn’t a free poker training app as the monthly costs start at $9.99. However, if you’re serious about tournament poker, it’s a great investment.
Tournament Cruncher
The only way to optimize your play in the final stages of a poker tournament is to understand independent chip modeling (ICM). Put simply, ICM allows you to assign cash values to a player’s stack. Tournament Cruncher is a great tool for performing ICM calculations. For $7.99, you can work out what your stack is worth based on the number of chips you have, the size of everyone else’s stacks, and the prize pool. From this, you can decide what tactics are appropriate. For example, if your ICM value is high, maybe you can be more aggressive. If you want to improve this facet of your game, Tournament Cruncher is one of the best poker apps for training ICM.
Poker Cruncher
Playing poker is all about interpreting your opponent’s stats in order to ascertain the type of hand they’re holding. However, once you’re able to say, “I think they have this hand”, you need to know how those cards stack up against your own. That’s where Poker Cruncher comes in. This poker training app for iPhone and Android devices allows you to perform hand vs. hand calculations. In other words, you can see how hands stack up against each other in various scenarios. And, for $6.99, you can also perform equity calculations versus a player’s range (i.e. how one hand stacks up against many potential hands).
Poker Dealmaker ICM
Using the most addictive free-play iPhone and Android poker apps is great. However, because they don’t allow you to play for cash prizes, you never really develop an understanding of how to make deals at a final table. Therefore, if you ever make it deep in an MTT and someone suggests a chop, you might not get the best of it. This is where Poker Dealmaker ICM is useful. For $1.99, iPhone users can download this app, enter some information about stack sizes and payouts, and it will calculate the best ICM deal. Although they only provide a starting point, the results are a great way to maximize your returns during the deal-making process.
SnapShove
SnapShove could be the best poker learning app for MTT and SNG players looking to improve their bubble game. The app was developed by poker pro, Max Silver and provides a portable way to learn push/fold ranges. For $14.99, you can learn when it’s best to shove, fold and call when the stacks are short.
TRAINING SITES
Run It Once
Run It Once is a poker training site created by high-stakes legend, Phil Galfond. As well as strategy guides, books, and tools, this is a video poker training app that costs $0, $24.99 or $99.99 a month. In other words, you can watch strategy videos via your desktop or mobile. As well as content from Galfond, you can learn about MTTs, SNGs, cash games, and PLO from some of the world's top pros, including Patrick Leonard, Jason Koon, Sam Greenwood, and Ben Sulsky.
Poker Coaching (Jonathan Little)
A lot of novices want to know what the best poker learning app is and this one might be it. Poker Coaching by Jonathan Little can take players from the ground floor to the highest levels of the game. What’s great about this coaching site is that you learn in two ways. From $49 a month, you can learn passively by watching strategy videos from pros such as Little, Faraz Jaka, and Matt Affleck. You can also learn actively by taking quizzes, running simulations, and using a host of other tools that put your knowledge to the test.
Upswing Poker
Upswing Poker was founded by Doug Polk, Ryan Fee, and Matt Colletta. What’s great about this site is that it offers a comprehensive selection of training resources. As well as free poker strategy guides, charts, and calculators, the premium content covers all aspects of the game. And, interestingly, everything is put into individual courses. For example, if you’re a beginner, you can pay $7 for the intro course by Polk. If you want to learn about advanced tournament concepts, you can pay $999 for Nick Petrangelo’s course. This system not only keeps things well categorized but means you don’t have to make any ongoing commitments.
Tournament Poker Edge
Tournament Poker Edge was set up by Andrew Brokos and uses an academic format. In other words, you can progress through a series of university-style courses for $29.95 a month. There are more than 1,000 poker training videos and each one is categorized according to its focus and skill level. This means you can work your way up from newbie to pro.
Raise Your Edge
Benjamin Rolle, aka bencb, is one of Germany’s best tournament players. He created Raise Your Edge to nurture the next generation of MTT players. Each course is priced individually and there’s a heavy focus on tourneys. However, as the coaching site has grown, it’s started to include tips for all types of poker. Indeed, one of the most interesting features of this site is the live cash game section. Not a lot of poker training sites cover this area so, for this reason alone, Raise Your Edge is worth trying.
Daniel Negreanu & Phil Ivey Masterclass
Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey are two of the best poker players in the world. As such, it’s always worth listening when they speak. Their Masterclasses are highly produced video series where they explain various concepts that have helped them over the years. Are they as technical as some poker coaching videos? No. However, for £14 a month, you get a glimpse into the minds of two poker experts. Moreover, because Masterclass features content from experts in acting, business, music, and more, you can enhance your skills in other areas as well.
Poker Odds Calculator
The final way to improve your potential in poker is to learn about pot odds. Each time you make a bet or face a bet, you need to have a reason for calling, folding and raising. One variable that goes into making a decision is pot odds. How much do you stand to win vs. the size of the bet? You have to find the right balance between pot odds and bet sizing if you’re going to make optimal decisions.
The only way you can do this is by using the PokerListings pot odds guide. As well as showing you how to calculate pot odds, this strategy guide explains concepts such as blockers, how to determine your outs, your equity in a hand, and where to find free calculators. Basically, if you want to make optimal decisions, our free pot odds strategy guide is a great starting point.
Poker Training Apps Summary
As you can see, there are plenty of fantastic poker learning apps and coaching sites. From basic calculators to advanced GTO simulators and coaching videos, there are many ways to learn the nuances of poker. The reality is that it’s getting tougher to win. Even though you don’t necessarily need poker training apps and videos, they are a great way to enhance your skills. Indeed, all of the top pros use them. Therefore, if you want to get ahead of your opponents, make sure you try some of the top-rated poker training apps listed in this guide.
