Learn from the Pros at the WSOP Academy
With the multitude of training sites available, how do you choose which ones to enroll in? Do you learn better by watching videos? Do you learn from private, one-on-one tutoring? Perhaps you’d learn better by traveling to a World Series of Poker Academy event and learning from the pros. Which pros, you ask? How about two WSOP Main Event champions, two PocketFivers, and a former FBI agent? This is the instructional staff that makes up the WSOP Academy. Two years old and growing leaps and bounds, the WSOP Academy focuses on the intermediate player looking to take their game to the next level. PocketFives.com sat down with Jeff Goldenberg, co-founder of the WSOP Academy, to talk about his site.
Goldenberg comments on the foundation of the WSOP Academy: “Brandon Rosen and I, long-time friends, approached Phil Hellmuth over two years ago to pitch the idea of a poker fantasy camp bearing his name. Shortly thereafter, ‘Camp Hellmuth’ was born and over 175 people attended the inaugural event in August, 2005. After three very successful camps, we were approached by Harrah’s to create a new poker camp under the WSOP banner. With Phil Hellmuth, Greg Raymer, and Scott Fischman as our lead instructors, we launched this newly-branded event. The current instructors also include Annie Duke, Joe Hachem, Alex Outhred, and Mark Seif.
Students can interact with the pros, who actually designed the entire curriculum themselves. “The WSOP Academy focuses on live tournament players; however, we believe online players would benefit tremendously. All of our pros are very personable and, most importantly, are excellent instructors. Participants will have unlimited access to the pros for the duration of the event to ask questions, have discussions, and have the opportunity to play in a tournament with them in a non-threatening environment.”
Upcoming WSOP Academy opportunities include events at Caesars Indiana (outside of Louisville, Kentucky) on April 7-8 with Raymer, Fischman, Outhred, and former FBI Agent Joe Navarro. The WSOP Academy “Ladies Only Event” will take place on June 8-9 at Caesars Place in Las Vegas with instructors Duke, Outhred, and Navarro. Finally, right before the WSOP Main event, the “WSOP Main Event Primer” will happen on July 3-5, also from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Event enrollment fees vary by location, so check out the WSOP Academy website for more details.
Another option for a great learning experience is Joe Navarro’s one day “Read ‘Em and Reap” seminars. The former FBI agent will conduct a full day session at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 31. Goldenberg comments on this exciting event: “Joe will run participants through an FBI-style training course focusing on the observation of non-verbal behaviors or poker tells. Participants will learn to become human lie detectors at the poker table while concealing their own tells from opponents. The information taught in this seminar is priceless and those who attend will be at a huge advantage over their opponents.” Event registration is limited to 100 people, which means participants will receive personal attention. Information on the Navarro seminar can be found at www.NavarroPoker.com.
So, if you’re looking for some help with your game, check out the WSOP Academy. Call them directly at 800-989-WSOP (8767) or at www.wsopacademy.com. Thank you to Jeff Goldenberg for his assistance with this interview.
