Tommy Angelo

[Lestat]

Just my personal opinion...

Tommy is a very gifted writer and might have much to offer when it comes to any mental aspects of the game. I think this is VERY important! However, I've never been too impressed with his tactical strategy, nor am I confident his skills would be sufficient to crush even a semi-tough game. I personally wouldn't pay 8k to someone who thinks it's cute to muck AA pre-flop, and brags about folding +EV hands from the big blind. But I'm sure this attests to his zen-like qualities (which I think are important). Still, for 8k, I'd want someone who can teach me how to make the MOST money even from tougher players. For that...

I'd recommend Stoxtrader.

[TheWorstPlayer]

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he offers telephone consultations that are less expensive

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I have done this before with him. I don't think he offers it anymore though. Yes, he is fantastic. No, he does not brag about folding +EV hands in the blinds. He thinks the hands he folds in the blinds are -EV. Yes, I think he has the skills to beat high stakes online games. No, I have no proof for that. And I don't play limit holdem.

[cgrohman]

http://www.gambling-law-us.com/Artic...mbling-tax.htm

It's a good and accurate article.

[Joe Tall]

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However, I've never been too impressed with his tactical strategy

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Thank god he doesn't talk about this much in his lessons. I agree.

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I personally wouldn't pay 8k to someone who thinks it's cute to muck AA pre-flop

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I'm still amazed on how many posters here just haven't grasped this. This was talked about at a twoplustwo mix game in Vegas earlier this year and the typical non-understandings where brought up. I said some things and then Justin A looked me in the eye and said, "I get it, Joe." and I could see clearly that he did.

[Lestat]

I think I "get it" that you're being terribly sarcastic.

I also "get" why he mucked AA. I do NOT "get" why he seemed to advocate throwing away pos.EV from the big blind.

Like I said, he's a gifted writer and no doubt has something to offer in the form of lessons. But I don't think he'd have much to offer an already competent player looking to beat tougher games. 8 dimes is a lot of money to improve 20-40 results. For that kind of scratch I want "advanced" lessons and for that, I'd go to a proven winner in big games (someone like Stox). The guy asked for an opinion and I gave him mine.

[TheWorstPlayer]

As a former student of TA, I'd just add that I would go to the Dalai Lama for poker lessons if he could help me not to tilt (Tommy can) even though he doesn't know the rules of poker. And second of all, the way that Tommy plays his cards is all part of a unified framework that ties in very tightly to the way he does things without cards. He'll talk to you about how to sit at the table, how to handle your chips, which seats to sit in, which tables to sit at, how much money to bring to the casino, and a million other things which have nothing to do with pure poker strategy. These things all have a huge impact on how much money you make from playing poker.

I agree, though, that if you're playing 20/40 maybe you can't afford it. Ultimately, I ended my lessons because I couldn't afford them and they were hurting my cash flow, even though I think they would certainly have paid for themselves in the long run many times over and I hope to go back to them at some point.

[SA125]

I talked to Tommy about it when the price was around 2K. I wished I'd have done it. Not for his overall strategy. Even though it's ironic that the one aspect I'd really want him to go into is his blind play. He obviously plays it tighter and I'm open minded about it.

I don't have personal insights, but I think Tommy's value is in the approach to the game. Not what's the best way to play AK to an UTG raise. Rather the best way to position yourself for success to win money if you plan to rely on making money from poker. The big picture.

Professionally. Like a job. In that regard, he's walked the walk so he can talk the talk.

8K though? It all depends I guess.

[Joe Tall]

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I think I "get it" that you're being terribly sarcastic.


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Bro, I'm from Boston, I'm born this way, what can I do? Sorry if it offended you. (seriously)

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I do NOT "get" why he seemed to advocate throwing away pos.EV from the big blind.

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I'm the #3 Tommy fan on this forum, and what I get is that it works for him. That's fine as we all play poker the same way, our own way. (borrowed from Tommy o/c)

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Like I said, he's a gifted writer and no doubt has something to offer in the form of lessons. But I don't think he'd have much to offer an already competent player looking to beat tougher games. 8 dimes is a lot of money to improve 20-40 results. For that kind of scratch I want "advanced" lessons and for that, I'd go to a proven winner in big games (someone like Stox). The guy asked for an opinion and I gave him mine.

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I agree with you about Stox. My perfect coaching combo would Tommy for out of hand (meta game/approach) and Stox for in-hand, although you can get a lot of in-hand right here. Since I feel meta game is 3 parts of 5, that would be 3xTommy, 2xStox, Tommys full of Stox is the nut hand for LHE!

[Faststan]

Thank you all kindly for your advice.I am a retired business man and thankfully my winnings have no significance.That being said I am a passionate advantage gambler and now poker has become a way of life.For some reason I also have a problem with tilting as with most other players.
The game I play in is really soft and I have destroyed it,but you guys( Joe Tall,death donkey etc)probably would have won a lot more.I want to play to the best of my ability so I will consider both Tommy and Stox.The better I get, the more I enjoy the game.
May the God of standard devation bless you all.

[Lestat]

If tilt is your problem, then Tommy would be an excellent choice. I don't mean to dis Tommy in any way. It's just that I'm not convinced he'd beat the games I play in, so I couldn't consider him for strategic coaching (although I would consider him for mental coaching). I'm quite sure Stox beats tougher games than I play, which is why he'd be my choice to coach me in playing style and strategy.