Who Is Jonathan Little?
Jonathan Little, born December 22, 1984, in Pensacola, Florida, is one of poker's most accomplished players and educators. What began as a casual hobby introduced by a Magic: The Gathering friend in 2002 has since evolved into a multi-million-dollar poker career and a thriving coaching empire. Little studied psychology at the University of West Florida but left college after building a $350,000 bankroll playing online poker in just six months. That bold decision marked the beginning of a career that would reshape how thousands of players learn the game.
Tournament Career and Results
Jonathan Little's live tournament resume is nothing short of exceptional. With over $9.3 million in live tournament cashes, he has cemented his place among the elite in professional poker. His breakthrough came during a dominant stretch on the World Poker Tour circuit:
- 2007 WPT Mirage Poker Showdown -- first place finish for $1,091,285
- 2008 WPT Foxwoods World Poker Finals -- first place finish for $1,120,310
- 2007 North American Poker Championship -- runner-up for $714,905
- WPT Season VI Player of the Year award
- Over 60 World Series of Poker cashes
- First WSOP bracelet in 2025, winning Event #8 ($1,000 NL Hold'em Freezeout) for $90,663
Little's two WPT titles make him part of an exclusive club of two-time WPT champions. His consistency across formats -- from online sit-and-gos in his early career to the biggest live tournament stages -- speaks to a deep and adaptable understanding of the game.
The Rise of PokerCoaching.com
Little launched his first training site, FloatTheTurn.com, back in 2007, making him one of the earliest professional players to invest seriously in poker education. That platform eventually evolved into PokerCoaching.com, which has grown into one of the most comprehensive poker training platforms available today.
What PokerCoaching.com Offers
The platform provides a structured curriculum designed for players at every level. Key offerings include:
- 70+ structured courses covering tournaments, cash games, mixed games, and fundamentals
- Tournament Masterclass -- a 40-hour deep dive into optimal tournament play, broken into digestible 10-minute videos with quizzes after each section
- Cash Game Masterclass -- equally comprehensive training for no-limit cash game players
- 1,500+ interactive hand quizzes where students play through real scenarios and receive instant analysis
- 600+ video classes and webinars covering every aspect of strategy
- Downloadable preflop charts, cheat sheets, and decision-making flowcharts
- Monthly webinars where Jonathan personally reviews student homework and hand histories
- Poker math tools and odds calculators
The Coaching Team
While Jonathan is the face of PokerCoaching.com, he has assembled an impressive roster of professional coaches including Jonathan Jaffe, Faraz Jaka, Matt Affleck, Tristan Wade, Michael Acevedo, Lexy Gavin, Alex Fitzgerald, and Evan Jarvis. This variety of perspectives ensures that students receive well-rounded instruction across different play styles and game types.
Books and Published Work
Jonathan Little is the author of over 15 best-selling poker books. His written work covers everything from beginner fundamentals to advanced tournament theory. Notable titles include:
- Excelling at No-Limit Hold'em -- widely considered one of the best modern poker strategy books
- Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker (three-volume series) -- a comprehensive guide to tournament strategy
- Mastering Small Stakes No-Limit Hold'em -- focused on exploitative play against recreational players
- Jonathan Little on Live No-Limit Cash Games (volumes 1 and 2)
- Strategies for Beating Small Stakes Poker Cash Games
- 100 Essential Tips to Master No-Limit Hold'em
His books are praised for their candid style, breaking down complex strategies into digestible concepts while addressing common mistakes that players at all levels tend to make.
Teaching Philosophy: What Makes Jonathan Little Different
What sets Jonathan Little apart from other poker educators is his insistence on structured, comprehensive learning over scattered content consumption. In an era where players can drown in fragmented YouTube clips and forum threads, Little advocates for a clear study path from start to finish.
Core Principles of His Approach
- Poker is a math game first. Little teaches fundamentally sound play grounded in mathematics and probability before layering on exploitative adjustments.
- Exploit opponents' specific weaknesses. Rather than teaching a single default strategy, he emphasizes identifying what opponents do incorrectly and developing targeted counter-strategies.
- Learn by doing, not memorizing. His courses feature interactive drills that replicate real in-game decisions. Each lesson connects to hands-on practice that turns theory into instinct.
- Study away from the table. Little consistently emphasizes that the most successful students spend significant time studying off the felt, making correct decisions nearly automatic during play.
- Start small, manage your bankroll, never stop learning. His blueprint for aspiring players centers on disciplined bankroll management and a genuine passion for continuous improvement.
Little often summarizes his philosophy simply: "With proper dedication, study, and discipline, almost anyone can win at poker."
YouTube and Free Content
Beyond paid courses, Jonathan Little maintains an active YouTube channel with over 500,000 subscribers under the PokerCoaching brand. He publishes regular strategy breakdowns, hand analysis videos, and tournament vlogs that serve as both standalone educational content and a gateway to his premium training platform. He also hosts The Poker Coaching Podcast, available on Spotify and other major platforms.
Is Jonathan Little's Training Worth It?
For players looking to move beyond recreational poker and develop a serious, structured approach to improving their game, Jonathan Little's training ecosystem is among the most complete options available. The combination of a proven track record at the highest levels, a massive library of structured content, interactive learning tools, and personal involvement through webinars and homework reviews creates a training experience that few competitors can match.
Whether you are a beginner looking to understand the fundamentals or an experienced player seeking to sharpen your tournament or cash game strategy, PokerCoaching.com offers a clear path from where you are to where you want to be.
