Who Is Qing Yang? From University Grinder to Elite Poker Coach
In the world of poker coaching, few names command as much respect among serious students as Qing Yang, better known in the poker community as QY. A Singapore-based professional poker player and Elite Coach at Run It Once, Qing Yang has built a reputation for transforming how players think about the game through his deep understanding of solver-based strategy and his ability to communicate complex concepts with remarkable clarity.
Qing Yang's poker journey began during his final year at university. What started as a casual interest quickly turned into a serious pursuit, and at the expense of his grades, he built up a sizable bankroll playing small-stakes live games. Upon graduating, he took a shot at bigger games and never looked back. For most of his career, Qing Yang has been a regular at 10/20 live games at his local casino in Singapore, where his solver-based approach has proven consistently profitable. He also gets significant volume in Chinese poker app games and online cash games.
Beyond the felt, Qing Yang is a man of diverse interests. He is an avid reader and writer, and his short stories have been published in several literary journals, a fact that likely contributes to his ability to articulate poker strategy in ways that resonate with students at all levels.
Poker Giraffe: Qing Yang's Coaching Brand
Qing Yang founded Poker Giraffe, his dedicated coaching platform where he offers structured training packages for poker players looking to elevate their game. The platform has become a go-to resource for players seeking personalized, high-quality instruction rooted in modern poker theory.
Coaching Packages
Poker Giraffe offers several coaching options designed for different needs:
- 6-Hour Coaching Package: A comprehensive training program covering core poker frameworks, solver-based analysis, IP vs BB gameplans as both aggressor and defender, and exploitative adjustments.
- 7-Hour Advanced Package: An extended version with deeper focus on multi-street decision-making, advanced exploitative play, and personalized study roadmaps.
- Private Coaching Sessions: One-on-one sessions available through Run It Once at a rate of approximately $320 per hour, tailored to each student's specific needs and skill level.
Qing Yang works with players across a wide range of stakes, from 1/2 live beginners all the way up to 1000NL online regulars, and his coaching consistently receives outstanding feedback regardless of the student's level.
The COVID C-Betting Course
One of Qing Yang's most popular training products is his C-Betting Course, originally developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and published on the Run It Once platform. This course breaks down one of the most common and critical areas of poker strategy: continuation betting. The curriculum covers topics including:
- Understanding how board texture affects aggression levels
- Stack-to-pot ratio considerations
- The logic behind different sizing choices and frequencies
- 3-betting strategy and paired board play
- Non-geometric sizing concepts
- Turn probe strategies and advanced multi-street planning
Run It Once: Elite Coach Status
Qing Yang holds the prestigious title of Elite Coach at Run It Once, one of the most respected poker training platforms in the world, founded by high-stakes legend Phil Galfond. His video content on the platform is consistently among the most well-received, and he has produced numerous instructional videos covering advanced No Limit Hold'em strategy.
His Run It Once content includes the popular "Coach Battle" series, where he shares his analytical perspective on hands played against other top coaches, giving students a window into high-level strategic thinking in real time.
Teaching Philosophy: What Makes Qing Yang Different
What truly sets Qing Yang apart from other poker coaches is his approach to teaching. Rather than simply walking through common situations one by one, he focuses on the underlying concepts that connect them all. His philosophy can be broken down into three core principles:
- Conceptual Understanding First: Qing Yang teaches students to understand how good or bad a runout is and how it affects aggression levels, then how different hand classes fit into the bigger strategy. Only after grasping these foundations does he bring in blockers and finer details.
- Efficient Solver Work: Rather than drowning students in endless solver outputs, he teaches them how to filter out the noise and focus on what actually matters. This makes studying with tools like PioSolver and GTO Wizard far more productive.
- Building Independent Learners: Perhaps his most valuable contribution is teaching students how to continue improving on their own. He provides roadmaps for self-study and integrates GTO trainers into the learning process so students can internalize strategies long after the coaching sessions end.
As one of his students put it: "The best thing about QY is that he sets you up for poker success in the future. He teaches you how to become a learner, and how to grow and improve moving forward."
Student Testimonials
The feedback from Qing Yang's students speaks volumes about the quality of his coaching:
- "I'm a NL600-NL2k regular on the EU sites, and can confirm that the strategies provided in this course are very solid. If you're an ambitious low-stakes grinder looking to move up, this might just be the best investment you can make."
- "As a coach, QY is clear, calm, and patient, with a deep understanding of the game. I gained a ton of theoretical knowledge as well as a much better process for continuing to study on my own."
With over 100 students coached and counting, Qing Yang has established himself as one of the most effective and well-regarded poker coaches in the industry. His combination of high-stakes playing experience, solver expertise, and genuine passion for teaching makes him a standout choice for any serious poker player looking to take their game to the next level.
Is Qing Yang's Coaching Right for You?
If you are a poker player who wants more than just surface-level strategy tips, Qing Yang's approach could be exactly what you need. His coaching is ideal for players who want to build a deep, conceptual understanding of the game rather than memorize specific plays. Whether you are a live cash game regular looking to incorporate solver-based thinking, an online grinder aiming to move up in stakes, or a serious student who wants to learn how to study effectively on your own, Poker Giraffe and Qing Yang's Run It Once content offer some of the most thoughtful and well-structured poker education available today.
