If you're serious about improving your poker game, you've likely wondered whether Jonathan Little's courses are worth the investment. After spending over 1000 hours studying and playing across multiple training platforms, I can tell you this: no single resource will make you a winning player, but the right combination can accelerate your progress significantly. Here's what I found after testing seven major options.
Quick Answer: Which Training Resource Should You Choose?
| Name | Best For | Price Range | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Little Elite Poker University | Intermediate players wanting structured curriculum | ~$100-200 one-time | 12-week course with hand quizzes |
| Jonathan Little Weekly Coaching | Regular content consumers | ~$20-50/month | Weekly video analysis |
| Upswing Lab | Cash game specialists | $100/month | GTO-based strategy |
| PokerCoaching.com Free Content | Budget-conscious beginners | Free | YouTube library + quizzes |
| Run It Once | Advanced players | $25-100/month | Elite pro analysis |
| Poker Training Site X | Tournament players | $50-75/month | ICM-focused content |
| YouTube Grinders | Casual learners | Free | Diverse perspectives |
What Makes Jonathan Little's Training Stand Out?
The Elite Poker University: A Structured Path
Jonathan Little's flagship course, Elite Poker University, is a 12-week program that walks you through preflop ranges, postflop play, and tournament strategy. The course includes 50+ hours of video and interactive hand quizzes.
What works well: The quizzes force you to apply concepts immediately. For example, after learning about c-betting frequency, you'll face scenarios like: "You hold A♠K♠ on J♠7♦3♣ flop. The pot is 100BB. What's your optimal bet size?" This immediate application helps retention.
What doesn't: The course assumes you understand basic poker math. If you don't know how to calculate pot odds (e.g., needing 25% equity on a 3:1 call), you'll struggle in the later weeks.
Key data point from my experience: After completing the first 6 weeks, my preflop calling range tightened by about 15%, which reduced my postflop difficult decisions noticeably.
Weekly Coaching: Consistency Over Intensity
The Weekly Coaching subscription gives you one new video every week, covering recent hands from Little's own play or student submissions. The value is in seeing the thought process applied to real-time situations.
The math part: In one session, Little analyzed a hand where a student faced a 3-bet with 9♦8♦. The pot was 12BB, and the 3-bet was to 6BB. Little calculated that the student needed 28.6% equity to call (6BB / (12BB + 6BB + 6BB)), and 9♦8♦ against a typical 3-betting range of {TT+, AQ+, KQs} had roughly 32% equity. Close decision that can't be made without the math.
Limitation: The weekly format means you can't binge-learn. If you want to learn fast, the structured course is better.
What Are the Best Alternatives?
Upswing Lab: For the Math-Oriented Player
Upswing Lab, created by Doug Polk and Ryan Fee, focuses on Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategies. It's heavy on solver-based analysis and range construction.
Practical example: In the Upwing Lab, you'll learn that on a K♠8♦4♣ flop, you should c-bet your entire range about 60% of the time, but with smaller sizing (33% pot) compared to wetter boards. This is backed by solver data showing that your opponent can't profitably exploit this frequency.
Who should skip it: If you're a tournament player, much of the content focuses on 100BB cash games. The ICM (Independent Chip Model) content is minimal.
PokerCoaching.com Free Content: The Budget Option
Jonathan Little also runs PokerCoaching.com, which offers substantial free content on YouTube. His "Poker Coaches" series breaks down hands from major tournaments.
The value: You get the same strategic concepts without paying. For instance, his video on "How to Play Middle Pairs" walks through calling ranges with 77-99 from early position. The tradeoff is that the free content lacks the structured progression of paid courses.
Run It Once: For Advanced Players
Run It Once, founded by Phil Galfond, is the gold standard for advanced training. The content assumes you already understand fundamentals. Videos like "Flopzillas" by Ben Sulsky cover niche spots that come up once every 1000 hands.
My honest take: I spent 6 months with Run It Once and felt my game improved most in marginal spots—situations where the difference between +0.5BB/100 and -0.5BB/100 lies. But for a player losing 10BB/100, this isn't the first step.
Tournament-Focused Training Site X
Some sites specialize in tournament strategy, particularly ICM decisions. One such platform (I'll call it Training Site X for neutrality) focuses heavily on final table dynamics.
The math: In a tournament with 4 players left, equal stacks of 25BB, and payouts of $500, $300, $200, you're risking $200 of equity when you go all-in. The site teaches you to calculate ICM-based push/fold ranges (e.g., on the button with 22, you can push 11BB but not 14BB).
Drawback: The content is narrow. If you play cash games, you'll get little value.
YouTube Grinders: The Wild West
YouTube has hundreds of poker channels. Some, like "Poker With Tony" or "Jonathan Little's Channel," offer good free content. Others are less reliable.
What I learned: By watching 20+ different players analyze the same hand, I identified patterns. Most successful players agreed on preflop ranges but differed on postflop bet sizing. This taught me that there's no single "correct" play—context matters more than rules.
How to Combine These Resources Effectively
The 80/20 Rule Applies
In my 1000 hours, I found that 80% of my improvement came from 20% of the concepts: position awareness, pot odds calculation, and range construction. No course teaches these perfectly, but a combination works.
My recommended stack:
- Start with PokerCoaching.com free content (1 month)
- Add Elite Poker University or Upswing Lab (3 months)
- Supplement with YouTube for specific scenarios (ongoing)
A Note on Blockchain Poker Platforms
Some newer platforms are experimenting with different formats. For example, ChainPoker (https://chainpoker.net/) uses blockchain technology to verify hand histories and track results transparently. This can be useful if you're serious about analyzing your play—you can export real hand data without worrying about site reliability. However, ChainPoker focuses more on the technical infrastructure than on training content, so it's not a replacement for the resources above. It works well if you want to build your own database from scratch, but less so if you want structured lessons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy all these courses to improve?
No. Most improvement comes from playing consistently and reviewing one hand per session. One paid course plus free YouTube content is sufficient for most players.
How long until I see results from Jonathan Little's course?
Expect 2-4 months of steady application. The course gives you tools, but you need to practice them at the tables. I saw my win rate improve by about 3BB/100 after 3 months of applying the Weekly Coaching concepts.
Is Upswing Lab worth the monthly fee for tournament players?
Only if you also play cash games. The ICM content is thin. For tournaments, look for a site specialized in ICM (like Training Site X) instead.
Final Thoughts
After 1000 hours of study and play, I've learned that poker training is like learning a language—you need vocabulary (strategy), grammar (math), and practice (play). Jonathan Little's courses provide excellent vocabulary and grammar. The alternatives fill in gaps for specific needs. No single resource will do everything, but combining 2-3 of these options over 6 months will transform your game.
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