One of the instructors at PocketFives Training, which provides MTT training to the poker community, is Jon apestyles Van Fleet (pictured). A poker author and longtime member of PocketFives, Van Fleet will soon be taking a more active role at PocketFives Training, which should result in some fairly compelling videos for subscribers. If you don’t believe us, just read some of his responses to our questions and you’ll see how insightful he is.

PocketFives: We understand you’re planning to showcase poker software in your videos. Tell us what you’re thinking.

Jon Van Fleet: There have been a couple of major changes in the overall strategies of many regs recently, mainly calling a lot more from the big blind. So, my plan is to run a lot of simulations using Cardrunners EV to figure out more exact defending ranges and different balanced game plans on different board textures.

In the past, I mainly used Universal Replayer or PokerTracker 3. Now that I have PokerTracker 4, I’m going to use its hand replayer and HUD to do videos. I also might do some short tutorials on how to set up a HUD for MTTs. The overall game and what is considered optimal are always evolving.

In my opinion, the most significant change in the last year or two has been the amount of calling pre-flop from the big blind and calling 3bets and 4bets with shallow effective stacks. This change signals a move to more post-flop play in tournaments, which I believe a lot of tournament regs are uncomfortable with.

PocketFives: Why has that change occurred (the amount of calling pre-flop from the big blind and calling 3bets and 4bets with shallow effective stacks)?

Jon Van Fleet: It is a direct response to smaller bet sizing on open raises, 3bets, 4bets, etc. Small bet sizing was a reaction to most tournament regs being fit-or-fold, but now the sizing is so small that extremely significant odds are given. With sizing smaller overall, you certainly aren’t going to fold more. For instance, a min-raise of 400 to win 525 nine-handed at 100/200/25 only has to work 43% of the time.

PocketFives: What do you think of PokerTracker 4 now that you’re using it?

Jon Van Fleet: I really enjoy it. There are a few stats I think are missing like small blind fold to steal and big blind fold to steal, but thus far it’s running really well on my new PC and it’s easy to use.

A high percentage of my reads are stats-based and different stats help me group people into different archetypes that help me predict future action. Also, a lot of the things I do regarding re-steals, post-flop game plans, calling, etc. are based on raise first in stats from different positions, flop and turn aggression, etc.

PocketFives: Tell us about new ideas you’ve been researching.

Jon Van Fleet: A lot of players pick re-steal hands and spots somewhat randomly when in fact it’s mostly an objective mathematical problem with a concrete answer. Essentially, I’d like to figure out more precise peeling ranges versus different opening ranges, how I realize my equity on different board textures, and come up with different balanced game plans on different board textures with different stack sizes.

PocketFives: Where do you see poker in a year given how much flux there is right now with new markets in the USA and growth in Asia and elsewhere?

Jon Van Fleet: As far as overall trends by regs, I think bigger raises will again come back into fashion to counter people calling more. As far as poker’s popularity and growth, I’m not really qualified, but I’m hopeful. My instincts say the Asian markets could be huge. Also, the possibility of people getting back Full Tilt money will definitely bring more money into the poker economy. I try not to worry too much about the future of the game. Black Friday was a huge blow, but people will always like poker and, no matter what, I’ll keep working hard to stay ahead of the game.

PocketFives: Tell us how your book sales are going.

Jon Van Fleet: The “Winning Poker Tournaments One Hand at a Time” books have done pretty well overall, especially pre-Black Friday. I think they’re very helpful regarding advanced concepts, but might be tough for beginners to understand. I’ve heard so many people tell me the books have really helped them.

Head over to PocketFives Trainingto learn from apestyles and company today. If you’re from outside of the United States, you can create an account on Winamax, 888 Poker, PokerStars, or Full Tilt Poker through PocketFives’ links and deposit to get one free month of PocketFives Training. Sign up for Winamax here. Sign up for 888 Poker here. Sign up for PokerStars here. Sign up for Full Tilt Poker here.