Joey Ingram is a well-known poker player and personality who has been a significant figure in the poker community for years. Known for his expertise in Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO), Ingram has recently turned his attention to No-Limit Hold’em, discovering new dimensions of the game and sharing his insights on how poker training and resources have evolved.
Speaking with PokerNews, Ingram shared his thoughts on the current state of poker, his journey into Hold’em, and his new and exciting collaboration with GTO Wizard.
The Transition from PLO to Hold’em
Despite his deep knowledge of PLO, Ingram felt the need to explore further. He realized that while PLO requires consistent practice and finding weaker opponents to exploit, it lacked the intricate strategic depth that Hold’em offered.
“I never really looked at Hold’em programs or trainers,” Ingram admitted. “With PLO, once you know how to win, it’s pretty basic how to keep winning.
“You can keep drilling, but the name of the game is to find players, keep playing, and keep beating them.”
The Appeal of No-Limit Hold’em
Ingram’s curiosity about Hold’em grew as he watched shows and received invitations to play in various games. This led him to reconsider his approach to poker.
“If I’m going to be playing poker for the next 30-40 years, why don’t I just learn Hold’em? That’s how I found GTO Wizard,” he shared.
For Ingram, learning Hold’em was like discovering a new world within poker. The game required a different way of thinking and brought back the excitement he had missed. “I didn’t remember Hold’em being this fun. It’s a very different game from PLO. In PLO, you run and gun, potting and praying with aces or the nut flush draw. It’s the same thing over and over again, and I’ve been doing it for so long that sometimes you can lose your desire and get a bit burned out.”
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The Power of Modern Poker Resources
His enthusiasm for Hold’em was further fueled by the resources available today, particularly GTO Wizard. He highlighted the significant advancements in poker training tools that weren’t available when he started: “The resources now are so different from when I was starting out. You can learn poker, and you don’t need to gamble or play for money at all. You don’t have to play at any of these places you don’t want to play.”
GTO Wizard, in particular, has been a game-changer for Ingram. “Finding GTO Wizard is worth it. They coach me in every spot I want. I bring any question, and they give me a great answer. They’ve been spending the last 5-10 years thinking about the Hold’em strategy.”
Embracing Data and Feedback
Modern poker training involves more than just playing against other good players; it includes understanding and interpreting data. He emphasized the importance of this aspect, stating, “When you’re playing against these programs and training, and you’re studying these spots, you’re able to get feedback. Then, it’s up to you how you interpret that data and interpret that learning.”
This approach allows players to apply their learnings in real-money games, particularly in challenging spots against strong opponents, with Ingram acknowledging that those who mastered these tools early on are now among the best players globally.
A Collaborative Future with GTO Wizard
His partnership with GTO Wizard is not just about learning but also about sharing knowledge and growing the poker community. Ingram appreciates the platform they provide for discussing Hold’em strategy, something he wouldn’t typically post on his channel.
“We’re going to do more shows on there. We’re developing some kind of show right now. I know we’re gonna continue working together on building those out, and I think they’re awesome.”
He admires GTO Wizard’s vision of growing poker and hosting major events, aligning perfectly with his own goals. “GTO Wizard seems to have a very different mindset. They want to grow poker and put on the biggest events, and that’s exactly what I want to be a part of.”