The WSOP Academy
Just how much is an education worth? When it comes to your job, it can be worth a great deal. Earn a graduate degree, and on average you’ll make more money than those with just a bachelor’s degree and likely a lot more than someone with only a high school diploma.
So what about when it comes to poker? How much is an education worth to your success at the tables? Well, for players who have invested in their poker education by attending the World Series of Poker Academy, they’ve discovered it’s potentially worth quite a lot. For some, it’s even life changing.
Initially started as Camp Hellmuth, the WSOP Academy evolved from a “camp” into an “academy” in 2006, with many of poker’s most successful players, including Phil Hellmuth, Greg Raymer, Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, and Mark Seif, joining forces with professional poker educator Alex Outhred and former FBI agent Joe Navarro to develop an innovative educational experience that had not existed before.
Indeed, more than just a poker camp, the WSOP Academy took the concept to a whole new level, creating a total immersion experience where participants learned directly from the best minds in the game through seminars, hand demonstrations, and private tournaments.
The school also introduced highly advanced concepts into its curriculum, such as the study of nonverbal bå avior, which participants couldn’t obtain from just reading a book or playing online. This recipe for success has so far been shared with more than 1,000 players who have turned their investment into some real money.
Only a few months ago, Adam Chipiuk felt insecure with his poker intuition. Already playing at a high level with career earnings over $20,000, Chipiuk decided to attend the Academy to take his game up a notch.
“Prior to the WSOP Academy I felt that my game was solid,” Chipiuk says. “I knew how to play the ‘top nine’ hands when they where dealt to me. However, it was the other things in poker that I knew needed improvement. How could I maximize wins and minimize losses with hands such as top pair, top kicker? How could I interpret the poker story being told?”
Chipiuk attended the second WSOP Academy Main Event Primer this past July and only a few months later pulled off his first major victory at the Borgata Open. Outlasting 519 other players and a final table that included top professional Amnon Filippi, Chipiuk walked away with $74,074 and the confidence that comes with a big win.
“Following the WSOP Academy, I felt very confident about my newly gained poker knowledge. I couldn’t wait to see how my game would change. Within an hour on the felt, I could see how substantially my game had improved. Using the knowledge gained at the WSOP Academy definitely helped me win that event.”
Another WSOP Academy grad, Aaron Keay, rarely made his way to the casinos to play poker. Instead, he primarily played home games and believed that he had more to learn. “If I am not in control of the table, I grow impatient and have been known to make a few mistakes at the wrong times,” Keay says of his abilities before attending the WSOP Academy.
Immediately after he attended, Keay bought into the WSOP Main Event and put his newfound education to use. “I’m now understanding betting patterns on certain hands of my opponents,” Keay says. “I’m making some great lay downs and without a doubt, if I were to look at my Main Event experience, I got kings once, aces four times, and only flopped a set twice. I played some smart poker and picked up some pots, blinds, etc. by understanding the risk, the position of the players, and just making moves at the right time.”
Keay exited the Main Event in 49th place after spending some time with Johnny Chan, Mike Matusow, and Hellmuth. Earning $135,100, Keay’s $2,000 investment was immediately returned with a solid profit.
“[The Academy] made me a believer that I can play at the next level and how to become more of a student of the game. I truly believe the saying that this game has nothing to do with luck because there are so many of the same faces at the final tables year in and year out. I also believe that the right players can break through and become the next pro. I think the WSOP Academy helped me understand that.”
Instructors vary with each session depending on the coursework being discussed. During a H.O.R.S.E. Academy this past spring, instructors were brought in to teach the games they know best. Featuring Lederer, Duke, Andy Bloch, Seif, and Raymer, the H.O.R.S.E. Academy was designed to diversify the offerings and – albeit difficult – create solid all-around players.
“The instructors are hand selected,” says Jeff Goldenberg, co-owner of the WSOP Academy. “We try to find players who can communicate what’s in their brain, are personable, and are there to improve the student’s game. We don’t want instructors who are there for a paycheck.”
Diversifying further, the WSOP Academy recently offered the first ever “Ladies Only” edition led by Duke. After the first session of that type, the WSOP Academy netted its first WSOP bracelet as Sally Anne Boyer won the 2007 WSOP Ladies event, netting more than $270,000 just days after finishing up the session. Also cashing in that tournament was Dana Reutter, who has now attended two Academy sessions.
“[Since attending the Academy], I’ve been able to add depth to my level of thought, not just focusing on my own hand, but taking into consideration what my opponent is holding,” Reutter says. “Now I can better determine what my opponent ‘thinks’ I have, and tailor my play accordingly. “
“I absolutely love the personal attention by people who are at the top of their careers,” Reutter continues. “The live hand discussions – when the pros lead table discussions of hands using real life scenarios – give the participants a chance to hear the thought processes of the pros and other players. I’ve learned more in those sessions than in hours of actual play.”
Actual play is where it counts and Reutter is two for two, cashing in the last two Ladies World Championship events at the WSOP for just under $9,000. She has also taken home an additional $4,500 in other tournament winnings. “I personally recommend the WSOP Academy to every player,” Reutter says. “My ROI from the first class – paying $1600, but cashing for $6202 two days later – more than justifies my investment.”
It’s been the consistent production of successful poker stories that makes the WSOP Academy stand out. On its website, a dedicated page is loaded with testimonials about players finding success after attending the Academy, and their high regard for the program’s instructors such as Joe Navarro, a renowned expert on non-verbal communication.
“Joe Navarro and Annie Duke’s presentations [were the best],” says WSOP Main Event Primer attendee Gary Hamilton. “I liked the whole thing as the information and setting that it’s presented in are invaluable. Where else can you learn directly from the pros and be able to ask them direct questions?”
Hamilton finished in 560th place in the WSOP Main Event and credits his two WSOP Academy visits. “My skills have increased significantly since attending the WSOP Academy,” Hamilton says. “I feel I’m a much more rounded player now. I’ve attended the Academy twice and feel that I’ve more than gotten my money’s worth both times.”
While the cost of attending is significant, the overwhelming consensus is that those who have taken advantage of the program have made a wise investment. “We strive to break the bad habits of those players who come to the Academy,” says Goldenberg. “In every seminar we break down poker theory and replace a player’s insecurity with confidence. That’s the most important thing. A player who is fearful about any poker situation is one that isn’t reaching their potential.”
Goldenberg also cites that feedback is given at each lecture and learning about what players like and dislike has molded a successful endeavor.
“Hearing the success stories is rewarding for our staff,” Goldenberg reflects. “There’s nothing better than hearing about positive experiences and we’ll continue to do our best to teach those who want to take their game to another level.”
The WSOP Academy holds five to six seminars a year and has created a new group of extremely talented poker players. If the cost of attending is too high for your bankroll, head to their website, www.wsopa.com, and apply for one of their scholarships. The education you’ll receive is priceless and it just might be the best long-term investment you can make this year.
