Full Tilt Poker’s foray into the poker training market was inevitable: The site already e-mails tips from some their collection of top pros to customers, so the logical next step was taken; and Full Tilt Poker Academy was born.

Full Tilt Poker Academy is everything you would expect from the #2 online poker site in the world (PokerStars holds the top spot): Innovative, well designed, and well marketed. The site offers videos for players to watch, and then presents them with a set of challenges –to apply what they learned at the Full Tilt tables-- where they can earn ‘points’ towards exclusive merchandise in their store.

What Full Tilt Poker Academy has that other training sites do not, are the top names in the business, and money for top of the line video production, layouts, and marketing. However, being a free training site –and more designed to attract business to Full Tilt Poker than anything else—the content is a little lacking in details, and is aimed more at players learning the game. Solid winning players will get less knowledge from the site. On the plus side, beginners and pros alike will able to easily complete the challenges and earn free poker merchandise.

The advice taught bu the Full Tilt Poker Academy is solid, and will help many new players stop hemorrhaging their money at the tables. The training videos can also be used as refresher course for more experienced players, especially if you have been away from the game for a while.

Full Tilt boasts the most impressive lineup of ‘name’ pros you’ll ever find –Chris Ferguson, Howard Lederer, Erick Lindgren. Paul Wasicka, Phil Gordon, Jen Harman, Andy Bloch, and Allen Cunningham—although they do not go into in depth analysis of specific situations and scenarios that other training sites offer. Even if they know more than some instructors at other sites, since they are players, and not professional coaches they may have a harder time expressing their thought-process, or understanding the struggles of lesser skilled players.

We call this the Tiger Woods dilemma: Would you rather take lessons from Tiger Woods, or Butch Harmon (the guy Tiger takes lessons from)?

Obviously the biggest asset for Full Tilt Poker Academy is the brand, and with it the money they can put behind it. Some people may watch the videos just to see their favorite players. Besides the Full Tilt brand the video quality is outstanding, and the entire site is beautifully laid-out, and easy to navigate through.

Full Tilt Poker Academy’s does have some weaknesses: The site is more beginner focused than other poker training sites and doesn't explore concepts deeply enough. I would classify the content as ‘common knowledge’ and entry level material, although the advice is sound, and will benefit many new, or uninformed players. We hope this will change as the FTP Academy adds more content. Right now, the main reason to check out the site is the price: 100% FREE!

The site itself is a marketing strategy to drive business to the Full Tilt Poker tables, where students can ‘apply the knowledge they have gained’ to earn Academy Points, and purchase Full Tilt gear.

The Full Tilt team have made a great business decision and this new feature - the Full Tilt Academy is just another in a long line of extras provided to their players.

Video Library Summary:

Videos – About 65 total videos

Full Tilt Poker Academy divides its videos into two main groups: Lessons and Sessions. The lessons are extremely basic –Phil Gordon’s ‘Guide to Sit and Go Tournaments’ spends the first few minutes explaining what a Sit & Go is and the structure. The sessions are ‘sweat sessions’ of real poker games, but are watered down content wise so the rank and file amateur will be able to follow the game-play. In one session Paul Wasicka goes so far as to explain your intention for betting is to get the player to fold!

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Written Content:
The Academy doesn’t have articles itself, but Full Tilt Poker’s site has an abundance of written material (most of which will help you more than their training videos) and a blog and forum area.

Goodies:

The only goodie to speak of is the store for Academy members, which has an incredible resemblance to the Full Tilt Poker Store. Here you can claim a number of free goods just for completing the assignments in the Full Tilt Poker Academy.

The Verdict:	Score: 8/10
The free membership to the FTP Academy is really the only reason any seasoned poker player might stop by. However, if you are new to the game it’s a great place to learn the basics of the game, and also a brilliant way to pick up some free poker gear in the process. Click here to get free poker training at the Full Tilt Poker Academy.

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