In your opinion, which poker pro should never coach new players?

Propane Goat · Feb 12, 2026

Considering all of the most well-known poker pros, who do you think would be the least suitable pro to coach new players and why?

I won't name my pick so that everyone has a full slate to choose from. For me, there are several pros who in my opinion do not have the patience and demeanor required to be a successful educator because they're likely to have a "you don't get it because you're stupid" attitude with students who show any difficulty understanding concepts.

Kasztor007 · Feb 12, 2026

For example, I’d say Phil Hellmuth probably wouldn’t be ideal for coaching beginners. He obviously has incredible results, but his style is very emotional and sometimes impulsive. New players usually need patience, structure, and calm explanations not ego battles or emotional reactions. He’s inspiring as a competitor, but as a beginner coach, it might be difficult long term.

Sunz of Beaches · Feb 12, 2026

I think this is a difficult question to answer as we mostly only know the TV personalitys of those Pros. I would definitely agree on Hellmuth but who knows in the end how the guy really is when cameras are turned off. Maybe he would show a lot of patience with someone he likes?

austral · Feb 12, 2026

It would not be appropriate to single out a specific person and say that they “should not teach,” especially without direct context about their pedagogical ability. That can be unfair and easily misinterpreted.

In my view, and without discrediting anyone: Phil Ivey (known for his extremely intuitive and quiet style) might not be the ideal profile for a beginner if his teaching approach were as intuitive as his playing style. His strength lies in reading situations and accumulated experience.

najisami · Feb 12, 2026

Not as easy as it might appear. We cannot really judge just by what we see on TV. Those pros act in certain ways, but it doesn't mean that we have enough knowledge of their real personalities or their tendencies.
However, if I absolutely had to choose, I'd say Mike Matusow is not fit to teach. I think he's way too emotional, and he'd be focused on his bad beats more than any topic in hand. There are others, but one is enough I guess.

Tero · Feb 12, 2026

Hmmm... As the saying goes... Those who can, do; those who can't, teach. One does not have to be a big star pro to help their pupils to succeed.
I would choose Negreanu. He is too lively for my taste. Like a Duracell Bunny.

TulasMoreno · Feb 12, 2026

Durr because now hes full of debts and bad reputation.

mattiebumpo · Feb 12, 2026

I haven't been keeping up with the latest poker pros, but I would have to say Will Kassouf. I hope he doesn't try to teach other players to emulate his obnoxious behavior. His incessant talking, stalling, and insults to other players should not be allowed. I would hate to see that become common among new players.

MK_ · Feb 12, 2026

Airball.... it can only be Airball,

I can think of a lot of things most pros could teach people,

.... but can't think of one thing anyone needs to learn from that guy😎👎

Roller · Feb 13, 2026

I’m not a fan of singling out one specific pro and saying they “should never coach.” A lot of top players are brilliant at the table and might still be great teachers in the right format.

Rumengh · Feb 13, 2026

Definitely not every poker pro will make a coach because they really need to be patient and explain a lot to the students. For me, this is Daniel Negreanu because you don't know what to expect from him and I also think he is quite chaotic and won't do well as a teacher.

Navin Sarabjeet · Feb 13, 2026

Definitely Phil Helmuth

riff_raff312 · Feb 13, 2026

Propane Goat said:
For me, there are several pros who in my opinion do not have the patience and demeanor required to be a successful educator because they're likely to have a "you don't get it because you're stupid" attitude with students who show any difficulty understanding concepts.

Yes and for me this is so true abut my pick Phil Hellmuth jr "he is just a big kid himself or as others say a BRAT" and would have very little people skills from what i've seen which is needed for teaching anything!

antonis32123 · Feb 13, 2026

By trading the OP , first name [hat crossed my mind was Phil Hellmuth , from the| old school players . He is impatient , h is triggered easily , very aggro or even insulting vs others , I can't imagine him to be a good coach or teacher . Moreover he is not as good as he thinks , not do good as he was once .

hardongear · Feb 13, 2026

Kasztor007 said:
For example, I’d say Phil Hellmuth probably wouldn’t be ideal for coaching beginners. He obviously has incredible results, but his style is very emotional and sometimes impulsive. New players usually need patience, structure, and calm explanations not ego battles or emotional reactions. He’s inspiring as a competitor, but as a beginner coach, it might be difficult long term.

As a guy who likes Helmuth(he's an incredible MTT player) and entertaining to watch and majority of the time isn't really douchebag people can hate he all they want. I do agree I don't think he'd make a good coach for a beginner player or really likely a good coach period.

I'll take Tong G(I like him too very entertaining to watch) for most the same reasons you chose Helmuth. I really like watching Helmuth and Tony G at the same table. That makes for some pure gold poker entertainment. Neither would make a good coach for a beginner thou.

Cheers!!!

sibkaz · Feb 13, 2026

I used to watch Jamie Gold... Now I don't even remember what attracted me to him so much ))) And no matter how much I hoped for his success, I never got to see it ) He was a person I admired, and then I became disappointed in him...)

pirateglenn · Feb 13, 2026

mattiebumpo said:
I haven't been keeping up with the latest poker pros, but I would have to say Will Kassouf. I hope he doesn't try to teach other players to emulate his obnoxious behavior. His incessant talking, stalling, and insults to other players should not be allowed. I would hate to see that become common among new players.

This is without doubt for me - an abomination of a card player who finally is now getting "the treatment" from tourney directors he deserves, i would be very happy to see him banned full stop.

armoko · Feb 14, 2026

I would say Daniel "Jungleman" Cates, I saw couple of his games but I cannot imagine how he will teach other players. For new players a coach who communicates in a clear and simple way is usually more effective. Someone with a more “out there” image or mindset might struggle to break concepts down step by step, which could confuse beginners instead of helping them build solid fundamentals.

hobojim1247 · Feb 14, 2026

mattiebumpo said:
I haven't been keeping up with the latest poker pros, but I would have to say Will Kassouf. I hope he doesn't try to teach other players to emulate his obnoxious behavior. His incessant talking, stalling, and insults to other players should not be allowed. I would hate to see that become common among new players.

Just call for what he is, an asshole...

hobojim1247 · Feb 14, 2026

There is not enough space to name them all. There are two ways a person is classified as a pro. 1. Someone who is skilled and has developed expertise in the game. 2. Someone who is too lazy to work a day job and hangs out playing low stakes trying to eke out a living. Group 1 probably has good teacher. Group 2. better off to avoid..

olejean · Feb 14, 2026

there is one concept: if you have a head on your shoulders, you will learn on your own.

RENEY444 · Feb 14, 2026

Tom Dwan (durrrr) . He wins and loses like a yoyo . According to wikipedia 'embroiled in a long-running saga involving allegations of unpaid debts' and 'alleged dealings with the Chinese Triads'.

CRStals · Feb 14, 2026

For me, a poker pro who isn't going to be a good coach is someone who doesn't communicate well complex concepts, or, doesn'tunderstand how their students learn. So on my list would be pros that in my opinion, just don't get that aspect of coaching, so I'd list players like Phil Ivey and Patrik Antonius who are very reserved and don't seem to communicate well in general - they wouldn't make for ideal coaches.

zorro222_zorro222 · Feb 14, 2026

For me it would probably be an old school player who played at a time where there wasn't as much information about poker as there is today and had a lot of success mainly based on the mistakes of others. the best example of this would be Mike Matusow.

Balou1982 · Feb 15, 2026

According to my opinion i would choose Phil Hellmuth because of his behaviour @table. I dont know if he is totally different in non public areas but i
think he won´t be a good coach because of his impulsive moments which could be a bit to much for new players.
I think his type of player would not be much interested to coach a no name newcomer @poker!

In your opinion, which poker pro should never coach new players?

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