As Camp Closes, Coaches Reflect

May 29, 2011 - HokieGreg and PrimordialAA are only a few days away from completing their month long boot camp, taking place at PrimordialAA's residence in Austin, Texas.  By all accounts, it has been a great success.

"It's been really valuable, I realize now that before I got here I was an epic nit that had no idea how to play poker," said Joe, a poker player from Iceland that attended the camp.  In fact, the attendance was diverse, with players from Germany, Estonia, United Kingdom and United States.

Camp started at the beginning of the month, with students engaging the two coaches in a lot of 1 on 1 sessions.  "Students would spend an hour one day with me, then the next day with Primo, and so on," said HokieGreg.  "Most of the coaching was done reviewing hand histories (see HokieGreg Takes You To Boot Camp) and a lot of group work, sitting around the dinner table or living room and talking about strategy topics."

The pair of coaches have been adjusting to the addition of intensive coaching throughout the month.  "Volume has been OK actually, I'm on pace for about [60-70%] of my typical games," said PrimordialAA.  HokieGreg has been staying sharp with physical activity throughout camp.  "Up to 2 hours at the gym, 2-3 hours of coaching, playing lots of tennis and basketball, just being really active and helping the guys at camp improve as much as possible," said Greg.  The coaches also received some private coaching from Jared Tendler, while students got an hour and a half group session and received a free copy of Jared's latest book, The Mental Game of Poker.

The players have also been busy.  "Each of these guys has improved so much and had just been given a ton of information.  I doubt even 30% of it has fully sunk in yet.  We've taught them what it takes to be a regular at higher levels, how to improve your mental approach, a lot of strategy and how to study and keep improving your game when you leave," said HokieGreg.  Joe echoed those thoughts.  "I feel like it's there, but it's just been a ton of good information that I'm going to need time to process in order to properly apply it all at the tables."

As for plans after camp, the coaches are headed in opposite directions.  PrimordialAA is staying in Montreal for the summer and HokieGreg will be headed to Mexico in a few weeks  to live with heads up poker players Phmerc and SA1251.  HokieGreg had high expectations for his roommates as well.  "Phmerc and SA1251 will be at the $550 level in the next 6 months or so.  They are both tough against thinking players and are not bumhunters at all.  I think they are both better than a lot of $550 regulars already, but moving up takes time."

Will there be another boot camp?  "We definitely believe so, but don't have any specifics as to where or when for now," said PrimordialAA, who also became a Lock sponsored pro this month.

(above) Wild Card Games - The camp takes a break from heads up poker.