Even pros need coaching: Faraz Jaka at a training session

Poker pro Faraz Jaka switches from coach to student to improve his game through a series of training sessions with other experts.

Even Pros Need Coaching: Faraz Jaka Switches Roles in Training Sessions Pros Analyze Faraz Jaka’s Play: A New Approach to Poker Training Faraz Jaka, a seasoned professional poker player and founder of the JAKAcoaching platform, has decided to take an unconventional approach to improving his game. In his monthly series Pros in the Hot Seat , he steps out of his usual role as coach and becomes the student—inviting top poker experts to break down his own hands and decisions. Each month, Faraz Jaka sits down with a new coach to review key moments from his tournaments—ranging from tough spots at major live series to potential mistakes in online play. Sometimes Jaka selects hands that he finds challenging, while in other cases the guest expert identifies vulnerabilities and recurring patterns in his strategy. Members of the JAKAcoaching community get to watch this process live: they hear Jaka explain his thought process, see professional coaches challenge his decisions, and follow the collaborative discussion as it leads to more effective strategies. The format is interactive—participants can answer questions, join discussions, and ask the coaches their own questions. All sessions are recorded and added to the platform’s growing library of training materials. WSOP Champions and Heads-Up Specialists: Who’s Coaching Jaka? The Pros in the Hot Seat series features renowned experts with experience across a wide range of stakes and tournament formats. Among the guest coaches are World Series of Poker (WSOP) champions, heads-up specialists, and respected online pros. Thomas Boivin — a high-stakes specialist who reviews tough spots from Jaka’s 2026 WSOP tournaments. In these episodes, Jaka faces elite opponents, and Boivin helps pinpoint spots where alternative lines could have been taken. Michael Gathy — a four-time WSOP bracelet winner. He analyzes Jaka’s online tournament hands, highlighting mistakes and identifying opportunities for improvement. Kevin Rabichow — a well-known heads-up expert and Triton strategy commentator. His session focuses on the nuances of heads-up play for titles, where special strategic adjustments are required. Scott Baumstein — an expert who joins Jaka to review hands from low and mid-stakes tournaments held at Hard Rock. Jeremy “Soappalled” Menard — a respected online tournament player who also takes part in the review series. This diverse lineup of coaches allows platform members to see how top players approach different tournament types and situations, learning directly from some of the best in the game. Balancing Poker, Business, and Family: How Jaka Finds Time to Learn For Faraz Jaka himself, this project reflects changes in both his life and his approach to poker. While he once devoted all his time to the game—especially in his twenties and thirties as a full-time pro—he now has to balance poker with running a business and raising three children. Despite a busy schedule, Jaka remains committed to playing at a high level. However, he now values learning efficiently and with focus—zeroing in on the areas that yield the greatest results. That’s why the Pros in the Hot Seat format is built around personalized reviews with leading experts, concentrating on the most impactful adjustments. Many poker enthusiasts and players juggling the game with work and family will relate: finding time for quality study isn’t easy, but it’s what enables growth even without constant hours at the tables. JAKAcoaching Members Get Their Own Hands Reviewed Learning opportunities on the JAKAcoaching platform go beyond just watching Faraz Jaka’s hand reviews. Each month features a Member Spotlight —a special session where a community member who made a deep run in a low or mid-stakes tournament receives personalized coaching from Jaka or another expert. During these reviews, the player shares key hands, explains their decisions, and discusses the challenges they faced. Other community members can follow along, ask questions, and join the discussion. This format allows everyone to learn not only from the pros’ experience, but also from real-world examples of players at various skill levels and from different professions—past participants have included doctors, teachers, lawyers, realtors, hobbyists, and aspiring pros. Multi-Level Training: Formats, Stakes, and Interactivity JAKAcoaching offers a wide range of training materials covering different stakes, tournament formats, and player skill levels. Special attention is given to situations common in low-stakes tournaments—such as when opponents play unconventionally, rarely fold, or create tricky multi-way pots. The platform combines live coaching sessions, interactive quizzes, expert hand reviews, and a constantly expanding library of recorded content. This approach lets members learn at their own pace and immediately apply new knowledge at the tables. For those curious about how pros sharpen their skills, JAKAcoaching provides a unique inside look—from Faraz Jaka’s own hand breakdowns to the analysis of other community members’ play. Guest Coaches and Review Sessions Faraz Jaka’s Tough Spots from WSOP 2026 — in-depth reviews of challenging hands with Thomas Boivin. Michael Gathy — analysis of Jaka’s online tournament hands, identifying mistakes and growth opportunities. Heads-Up Strategy with Kevin Rabichow — heads-up play for titles and the necessary strategic adjustments. Scott Baumstein — reviews of low and mid-stakes tournaments at Hard Rock. Jeremy “Soappalled” Menard — analysis of online tournament scenarios. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, Faraz Jaka’s experience and his training platform are a great example of how even the most successful players keep learning and refining their strategy. Regardless of stakes or format, regularly reviewing your own hands and getting feedback from more experienced peers helps identify leaks and grow as a player. PPPoker club members can adopt the interactive review format themselves: gather in small groups, discuss tricky spots, share thoughts, and analyze each other’s key hands. This approach not only accelerates improvement, but also makes the learning process more engaging and effective. It’s also important to remember that even with limited time for poker, progress is possible—as long as you focus on the most impactful aspects of your game and leverage the experience of others. By applying these principles, every PPPoker member can raise their level and get more enjoyment out of club games.