There’s a brand new instructor at PocketFives Training, which provides some of the top MTT instruction to the online poker community. Malta’s ThaSquirrel(pictured) has joined the fray and recently released a video seriesthat focuses on key hands during the Big $22. The second part of the series was published on Tuesday and covers concepts like bet-sizing, stack sizes, equity, ranges, and hand reading.

On the online poker side, ThaSquirrel’s largest tracked cash to date came as a result of a final table appearance in a MiniFTOPS event one year ago for $40,000 as part of a six-way chop. More recently, he won the PokerStars $100 Rebuy in February for $12,000 and finished second in the site’s Big $55 one day before Christmas for about the same amount.

He’s the #6 player in the PocketFives Sortable Rankingsfor Malta and sits at #433 worldwide in the PocketFives Poker Rankings. PocketFives sat down with our newest trainer to discuss joining PocketFives Training and what it’s like being an amateur filmmaker, as his video-making abilities go well beyond just the poker world.

PocketFives: Welcome aboard PocketFives Training. It’s great to have you. Can you tell us about your decision to sign with the site?

ThaSquirrel: When I joined PokerPwnage, the precursor to PocketFives Training, I always thought it would be really exciting to become a coach one day. That was sort of a dream and goal that if I worked hard, I might be able to achieve. Then, when my former coach, Mike Gags30 Gagliano (pictured), joined PocketFives Training as an instructor, I thought it was the perfect time to follow suit. I have been doing a lot of coaching for the last year-and-a-half and really enjoy teaching.

PocketFives: Prior to joining PocketFives Training, you said you really enjoyed coaching. What about being a poker coachis so appealing to you?

ThaSquirrel: The thing I like a lot about one-on-one coaching is having really motivated students who are eager to learn, so you can become part of their learning process. I like video coaching because you get the chance to really put your own thoughts out there and show how your approach got you to where you are.

PocketFives: Can you tell us about the process of making a video? That has to be quite an interesting experience.

ThaSquirrel: First, you kind of feel like a tool for talking to your computer, but I’m pretty familiar with that feeling, so I have an edge. Making videos was easy because, besides playing poker, I’m also a beginning director. I use my poker money to finance my own video shorts. By the way, the process of talking to your computer – I don’t know, you get over it.

PocketFives: You’re a director? How did you get into that?

ThaSquirrel: Yeah, I’ve been making films since I was 13 (when I made rollerblading stunt films). When I was 19, I started a small production company with a friend and did that for two-and-a-half years, making commercial films for companies. After that, I felt like I wanted to focus more on independent films. About the same time, I got more serious with poker and saw a perfect match between the two.

PocketFives: Tell us about your first video series for PocketFives Training. The second part was released today and has received solid feedback so far.

ThaSquirrel: It’s basically a deep analysis of early game spots. The series focuses on bet-sizing, optimal bet sizes, and how to come to the “perfect” bet size against your opponent’s perceived range.

Visit PocketFives Trainingtoday for a free preview of ThaSquirrel’s video series. Remember, the site offers a free two-day trial and if you want to get free PocketFives Training, just sign up and deposit on one of our partner rooms. Learn more.