Master The Fundamentals by Jonathan Little – PokerCoaching

Introduction to the Course

Today, I’m all set to walk you through Jonathan Little’s “Master The Fundamentals.”

As someone who’s been grinding the felt for over a decade, I’ve seen my fair share of free courses, and I’m here to break down this one for you, piece by piece.

Course Overview: What’s on the Table?

“Master The Fundamentals” is a no-charge course that’s like a royal flush of knowledge in the realm of small stakes no-limit hold’em.

Spread over 19 modules, it promises to arm you with the tools necessary to take your game to the next level.

It’s not just another how-to-play guide; it’s a deep dive into strategic thinking.

Content Breakdown: The Nuts and Bolts – Master The Fundamental

• Rules and Hand Rankings: Little starts with the basics – a necessary foundation for any aspiring player. He takes you through the hand rankings with clear examples. Imagine you’re in a hand where you hold a pair of eights, and the board runs out with another eight, a jack, and three low cards. Little explains how to assess this situation, considering potential threats like straights or higher sets.

• Effective Stack Size: This section opened my eyes. The concept of playing according to the size of your stack, measured in big blinds, is crucial. Little uses examples where you have to adjust your play based on whether you’re deep-stacked or short-stacked, a skill imperative for tournament play.
• Preflop Strategy: Here’s where it gets juicy. Little covers scenarios like facing a 3-bet when you’ve opened with a hand like AQ suited. He uses examples to illustrate whether to fold, call, or 4-bet, factoring in the opponent’s range and tendencies.
• Postflop Play: This is where the course shines. Little delves into the complexities of postflop play. For instance, he discusses how to play a top pair on a wet board versus a dry one, teaching you to weigh the odds of your opponent hitting a draw.

• Tournament Adjustments: As a tournament player myself, I found this invaluable. Little teaches how to adjust your play based on different stages of a tournament, using examples like altering your opening range when approaching the bubble.
• Bankroll Management: This is gold for any serious player. Little doesn’t just throw numbers at you; he explains the rationale behind maintaining a certain number of buy-ins for cash games and tournaments, helping you navigate the swings of the game.

Real-World Application: From Theory to Practice

What makes this course stand out is its applicability. Little doesn’t just throw concepts at you; he grounds them in real game scenarios. There’s a segment where he breaks down a hand played in a major tournament, showing how a deep understanding of ranges and opponent reading can lead to successful bluffs or crucial folds.

My Experience: Hitting the Virtual Felt

So, I took this course for a spin.

The preflop strategies are laid out better than a well-planned bluff. However, be aware these are beginner strategies suitable for small stakes.

From hand selection to understanding the dynamics when facing limpers or dealing with aggressive 3-bets, it’s like being handed a map in a maze.

The post-flop content?

That’s where the course shifts gears. Little doesn’t just scratch the surface; he dives deep. We’re talking about understanding range and nut advantages, navigating multi-way pots, and that nail-biting river play.

And, the cherry on top?

The bankroll management advice.

Final Thoughts

Jonathan Little’s “Master The Fundamentals” is not just a course; it’s a comprehensive journey through the world of competitive poker.

It equips you with the tools not just to play, but to think, analyze, and make decisions like a pro. For anyone serious about upgrading their poker game, especially in tournament play, this free course is a treasure trove.

Remember, in poker, as in this course, the real value lies not just in the cards you’re dealt but in how you play them.

Recommended for

Beginner and Intermediate players eager to transition from casual to serious play, particularly those with an interest in tournament poker.

This is not a course for advanced players!