MacPokerTools Search for the Best Mac Training Site. Featuring: CardRunners.com + stoxpoker.com
Use Bonus Code: MacPokerTools at CardRunners and receive $15 off the sign-up fee.
For our first feature it only made sense to start with the two sites creating the biggest headlines. CardRunners and stoxpoker merged at the end of 2008, and with this merger they have combined to form the most comprehensive poker training service available. Featuring the largest library of quality training videos, and deepest roster of top instructors available, it is easy to see why they are so popular. If you are a member to either site, please feel free to mention anything you feel should be mentioned.
CardRunners:
You can't go anywhere without some mention of CardRunners.com. Rated #1 Online Poker Training Site, and Top Rated in Poker Player and Inside Poker magazines, they have been simply unavoidable. After visiting the site for the past month, it is easy to see why. They have clearly set a high standard when it comes to video poker training. The amount and quality of videos here is rather impressive. With videos that span the full buy-in and ability spectrums. It is safe to say that the main focus at Cardrunners is high stakes 6max cash games. If this is your game Cardrunners is clearly the site for you. Although a lot of the instruction and information given here is a lot more broadbased and can be applied across buy-ins, formats and table sizes. Anyone watching these videos will come away with a very solid foundation.
CardRunners Video Content: 1200+
NLHE 920 Videos LHE 103 Videos PLO 80 Videos PLO8 4 Videos Razz 4 Videos
Stud 2 Videos Triple Draw 3 Videos Tutorial 14 Videos Other 17 Videos
With over a thousand videos to choose from, there is a wide variety of content available at CardRunners. With videos covering Cash (826), MTT (240), SNG (101), and Special Game Formats (24), almost everyone is covered. I liked browsing the videos by series, and found the Leakfinder ones especially informative. The Flash player works flawlessly on the mac, and the videos are well produced and get their messages across clearly and efficiently. The only negative is the lack of a download option for Mac members. However, the quality here trumps download access for now.
Game Format Coverage: Cash, MTT, and SNG
Cash
When it comes to the highest levels of cash game training, CardRunners is the undisputed leader, especially in the popular NLHE 6max format. You will find the most coaching videos here with 826. You will also find some of the best player/instructors in the business. Most of the videos here focus on NLHE, if you are looking for any of the other games, you will find a nice list of 80+ Omaha videos, but not much else, for now.
MTT
With over 214 MTT videos, you will get some of the finest training available in NLHE MTT strategies at all levels. The main focus here is NLHE MTTs, and not much available for the other game formats. Depending what you are looking for, most will not be affected by this, as the quality of what is here is top notch, and will benefit most players.
SNG
Again, like the MTT videos, you are pretty much limited to NLHE. As before, they are all great quality, and can help players at all levels. Of the videos, there is a popular SNG series by Jackyl that is extremely informative, and should not be missed.
CardRunners was founded on creating the very best learning community for its members of all
experience levels. Members include beginners, experts, casual
players, and serious students. CardRunners has assembled the largest body of poker training resources available
with the single-minded focus on teaching winning poker. Learning profitable poker through their videos with
expert commentary, friendly forums, hand analysis utilities, and other
tools designed to give you an edge over your opponents. CardRunners has surely set the bar very high. Use the exclusive Bonus Code: MacPokerTools and get $15 off sign-up.
stoxpoker:
stoxpoker emphasizes small- and mid-stakes games instruction
through classroom-style learning, StoxPoker University, and personal
coaching. Where CardRunners delivers premier
training services for advanced poker players, stoxpoker is there for the beginner to budding pro, and players with smaller budgets. Where CardRunners leaves off, stoxpoker picks up and delivers with the same quality, and efficiency as CardRunners.
stoxpoker Video Content: 900+
NLHE 558 Videos LHE 197 Videos Omaha 56 Videos Razz 40 Videos Stud 24 Videos
Stud 24 Videos Triple Draw 3 Videos Other 2 Videos
With a steady stream of daily releases, great coaching, and wide variety of subject. There is a good chance you will find what you need at stoxpoker.com. You will also find a bit more content on some of the other games like Omaha, Razz, and Stud as compared to CardRunners. Their
video formats range from classroom-style instruction, with interactive quizzes, to
traditional sessions, with critical narration of key hands, decisions,
and concepts as play progresses. Whatever the method, the goal is always to deliver the
highest possible teaching value. Being a Mac user, it was nice to be able to download some of the videos in the iPod format. It would be nice to see them expand on this. stoxpoker also offers multi day training courses designed to help give those wondering what to watch a comprehensive and thorough examination on the specific subject covered. Courses are great for both beginners and established players alike. Current courses include: Stoxpoker Course For Intermediate NLH Players, Stoxpoker Course For Beginner NLH Players, Poker Made Simple: NLH by Ed Miller, Psychology of Poker by Jared Tendler, Mathematics of Poker by Bryce Paradis, and Razz Made Complex: Advanced Razz Concepts by Dan Abrams.
Game Format Coverage: Cash, MTT, and SNG
Cash
stoxpoker is no slacker when it comes to NLHE cash game training. With over 700 videos in this format, the cash game player is well covered. You will also find a lot of the other games covered here too. With 51 Omaha, 25 Razz, 18 Stud, and 3 Triple Draw videos, it is nice to see the extended coverage here.
MTT
With 90+ videos covering MTTs most players are well covered here, as the coaching really shines. Main focus here is NLHE, with 2 Omaha, 10 Razz, 5 Stud, and 2 HORSE videos.
SNG
Again, the focus is pretty much NLHE, and the coaching well above par. NLHE 74 videos, Omaha 3 videos, Razz 5 videos, Stud 1 video, HORSE 2 videos.
Cost Analysis:
While these sites are not cheap, they are definitely worth every penny. With CardRunners there is an initial $99 fee to join, and then the subscriptions run $27.99 monthly, or $143.00 6 month(15% off), or $200.00 1yr(40% off) subscriptions. stoxpoker charges the same subscription fees as CardRunners, but without the initial $99 sign up fee, is a nice bonus. If you have the money and can afford both. 1. It is worth it, and 2. There are several offers that make it cheaper. CardRunners Gold members can add six months of StoxPoker for $118 and save 30%, or add a full year of StoxPoker for only $150 (a 55% discount). StoxPoker members can add 12 months of CardRunners for less than $22 per month on an annual basis.
Exclusive discounts!
Use Bonus Code: MacPokerTools at CardRunners and receive $15 off the sign-up fee.
I look forward to hearing what everyone has to say. If you have been waiting to join either site, now is the time, and take advantage of the exclusive bonuses on offer here, as they won't last forever. If you are in the search for a coaching/training site you can go to either site and sign up for their free access, while it is limited, you do get access to some of the tools and features, as well as sample some of the videos. Keep checking back to see the feedback, and see who we will be reviewing next.
Subscribe to MacPokerTools and receive the info as it comes in
For our first feature it only made sense to start with the two sites creating the biggest headlines. CardRunners and stoxpoker merged at the end of 2008, and with this merger they have combined to form the most comprehensive poker training service available. Featuring the largest library of quality training videos, and deepest roster of top instructors available, it is easy to see why they are so popular. If you are a member to either site, please feel free to mention anything you feel should be mentioned.
CardRunners:
You can't go anywhere without some mention of CardRunners.com. Rated #1 Online Poker Training Site, and Top Rated in Poker Player and Inside Poker magazines, they have been simply unavoidable. After visiting the site for the past month, it is easy to see why. They have clearly set a high standard when it comes to video poker training. The amount and quality of videos here is rather impressive. With videos that span the full buy-in and ability spectrums. It is safe to say that the main focus at Cardrunners is high stakes 6max cash games. If this is your game Cardrunners is clearly the site for you. Although a lot of the instruction and information given here is a lot more broadbased and can be applied across buy-ins, formats and table sizes. Anyone watching these videos will come away with a very solid foundation.CardRunners Video Content: 1200+
NLHE 920 Videos LHE 103 Videos PLO 80 Videos PLO8 4 Videos Razz 4 Videos
Stud 2 Videos Triple Draw 3 Videos Tutorial 14 Videos Other 17 Videos
With over a thousand videos to choose from, there is a wide variety of content available at CardRunners. With videos covering Cash (826), MTT (240), SNG (101), and Special Game Formats (24), almost everyone is covered. I liked browsing the videos by series, and found the Leakfinder ones especially informative. The Flash player works flawlessly on the mac, and the videos are well produced and get their messages across clearly and efficiently. The only negative is the lack of a download option for Mac members. However, the quality here trumps download access for now.
Game Format Coverage: Cash, MTT, and SNG
Cash
When it comes to the highest levels of cash game training, CardRunners is the undisputed leader, especially in the popular NLHE 6max format. You will find the most coaching videos here with 826. You will also find some of the best player/instructors in the business. Most of the videos here focus on NLHE, if you are looking for any of the other games, you will find a nice list of 80+ Omaha videos, but not much else, for now.
MTT
With over 214 MTT videos, you will get some of the finest training available in NLHE MTT strategies at all levels. The main focus here is NLHE MTTs, and not much available for the other game formats. Depending what you are looking for, most will not be affected by this, as the quality of what is here is top notch, and will benefit most players.SNG
Again, like the MTT videos, you are pretty much limited to NLHE. As before, they are all great quality, and can help players at all levels. Of the videos, there is a popular SNG series by Jackyl that is extremely informative, and should not be missed.
CardRunners was founded on creating the very best learning community for its members of all
experience levels. Members include beginners, experts, casual
players, and serious students. CardRunners has assembled the largest body of poker training resources available
with the single-minded focus on teaching winning poker. Learning profitable poker through their videos with
expert commentary, friendly forums, hand analysis utilities, and other
tools designed to give you an edge over your opponents. CardRunners has surely set the bar very high. Use the exclusive Bonus Code: MacPokerTools and get $15 off sign-up. stoxpoker:
stoxpoker emphasizes small- and mid-stakes games instruction
through classroom-style learning, StoxPoker University, and personal
coaching. Where CardRunners delivers premier
training services for advanced poker players, stoxpoker is there for the beginner to budding pro, and players with smaller budgets. Where CardRunners leaves off, stoxpoker picks up and delivers with the same quality, and efficiency as CardRunners. stoxpoker Video Content: 900+
NLHE 558 Videos LHE 197 Videos Omaha 56 Videos Razz 40 Videos Stud 24 Videos
Stud 24 Videos Triple Draw 3 Videos Other 2 Videos
With a steady stream of daily releases, great coaching, and wide variety of subject. There is a good chance you will find what you need at stoxpoker.com. You will also find a bit more content on some of the other games like Omaha, Razz, and Stud as compared to CardRunners. Their
video formats range from classroom-style instruction, with interactive quizzes, to
traditional sessions, with critical narration of key hands, decisions,
and concepts as play progresses. Whatever the method, the goal is always to deliver the
highest possible teaching value. Being a Mac user, it was nice to be able to download some of the videos in the iPod format. It would be nice to see them expand on this. stoxpoker also offers multi day training courses designed to help give those wondering what to watch a comprehensive and thorough examination on the specific subject covered. Courses are great for both beginners and established players alike. Current courses include: Stoxpoker Course For Intermediate NLH Players, Stoxpoker Course For Beginner NLH Players, Poker Made Simple: NLH by Ed Miller, Psychology of Poker by Jared Tendler, Mathematics of Poker by Bryce Paradis, and Razz Made Complex: Advanced Razz Concepts by Dan Abrams.Game Format Coverage: Cash, MTT, and SNG
Cashstoxpoker is no slacker when it comes to NLHE cash game training. With over 700 videos in this format, the cash game player is well covered. You will also find a lot of the other games covered here too. With 51 Omaha, 25 Razz, 18 Stud, and 3 Triple Draw videos, it is nice to see the extended coverage here.
MTT
With 90+ videos covering MTTs most players are well covered here, as the coaching really shines. Main focus here is NLHE, with 2 Omaha, 10 Razz, 5 Stud, and 2 HORSE videos.
SNG
Again, the focus is pretty much NLHE, and the coaching well above par. NLHE 74 videos, Omaha 3 videos, Razz 5 videos, Stud 1 video, HORSE 2 videos.
Cost Analysis:
While these sites are not cheap, they are definitely worth every penny. With CardRunners there is an initial $99 fee to join, and then the subscriptions run $27.99 monthly, or $143.00 6 month(15% off), or $200.00 1yr(40% off) subscriptions. stoxpoker charges the same subscription fees as CardRunners, but without the initial $99 sign up fee, is a nice bonus. If you have the money and can afford both. 1. It is worth it, and 2. There are several offers that make it cheaper. CardRunners Gold members can add six months of StoxPoker for $118 and save 30%, or add a full year of StoxPoker for only $150 (a 55% discount). StoxPoker members can add 12 months of CardRunners for less than $22 per month on an annual basis.
Exclusive discounts!
Use Bonus Code: MacPokerTools at CardRunners and receive $15 off the sign-up fee.
I look forward to hearing what everyone has to say. If you have been waiting to join either site, now is the time, and take advantage of the exclusive bonuses on offer here, as they won't last forever. If you are in the search for a coaching/training site you can go to either site and sign up for their free access, while it is limited, you do get access to some of the tools and features, as well as sample some of the videos. Keep checking back to see the feedback, and see who we will be reviewing next.
Subscribe to MacPokerTools and receive the info as it comes in
Posted by jd at 1/6/2008 1:55 PM 
Categories: Poker Tools,Poker Strategy
Tags: strategy mac guide internet training Texas Holdem poker beginners coaching learn
Categories: Poker Tools,Poker Strategy
Tags: strategy mac guide internet training Texas Holdem poker beginners coaching learn
Thanks for offering some really useful information, and introducing these programs. (Why am I not surprised that Apple is behind the design? There is nothing like a Mac.) It will be interesting to see what everyone says after trying these sites.
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