Doyle Brunson and his son Todd have launched an online poker training site almost 40 years after the senior Brunson published the seminal strategy book Super/System. Considering that Brunson has said he regrets giving away so many secrets in the book, the recent announcement came as a surprise to many.
The new site apparently went live in July, but the official launch came last week with an announcement from Texas Dolly on Twitter. The tweet generated a lot of positive cheer and congratulations, but also plenty of surprise from players who did not expect such a new business endeavor from the 85-year-old Godfather of Poker.
Official Announcement:The Doyle and Todd Brunson Advanced Poker Learning System is available at https://t.co/AdWe5dhZKB
— Doyle Brunson (@TexDolly) August 25, 2018
The Brunson Poker Pro Advanced Poker Learning System provides students a book, audio CDs (people still use CDs?), and flash cards to help them gain “professional knowledge without playing for years.” The coursework comes from the two Brunson Hall of Famers and a “group of top young players,” according to the Brunson Poker Pro social media manager on Twitter.
“This Poker Learning System will teach you the most sufficient way based on how our brain processes information the quickest,” reads the site’s About page. “You will work with visual and audio support in order to absorb the information faster and clearer than you would by just reading it.”
The website says students will need a basic understanding of poker to benefit from it, and promises to cover some 20 areas — everything from push/fold charts and player ranges to combos and blockers and “nuts evaluation” as well as less tactical matters such as “the mental game.”
Competing Courses?
While Doyle is no stranger to teaching players about the game, earlier this summer he warned Daniel Negreanu about repeating his own teaching mistakes by launching his new poker MasterClass.
Daniel…you are the best tournament player in the world. Why are you educating people? Don't make the same mistake I did with S/S. I justify my teaching that it created lots of new players that we sorely need. Today there are plenty of players…just saying. https://t.co/nxx840bFiA
— Doyle Brunson (@TexDolly) June 13, 2018
Several players and poker industry types questioned Doyle’s change of heart. Was he really just bluffing all along? Whatever it was, he was having fun with it.
Yes but it was already in the works. I couldn't stop it, I had already agreed to do it. In my defense, I'm 85 years old and @RealKidPoker is 42 so I only have to defend myself and what I teach for 17 more years (that makes 10-2) while Danny has a lot longer.🤣 https://t.co/86HSU1dNOL
— Doyle Brunson (@TexDolly) August 26, 2018
The Cost of Education
Poker pros making extra money as coaches is nothing new, but the back-and-forth between Brunson and Negreanu has sparked a number of debates among casual observers,as well as criticism that the Brunson Advanced Poker Learning System is just a “cash grab.”
Poker coaching sites are less popular than they were during the poker boom, but their effect is still being felt. Today, it’s generally accepted that the average skill level is better than it was, making the game overall harder to beat.
Some have been critical of this, while others see it as that natural evolution of poker. Whatever the sentiments, the Brunsons are aiming to raise the bar again for anyone willing to part with $149.
