Who Is Ryan Fee?
Ryan Fee is an online poker professional and the co-founder of Upswing Poker, one of the largest and most recognized poker training platforms in the world. While his business partner Doug Polk became famous for his heads-up exploits, Ryan built his reputation grinding 6-max cash games — developing a deep expertise in the format that now forms the backbone of Upswing's educational content.
Ryan began playing poker seriously in the mid-2000s, working his way up through the online stakes during the golden age of internet poker. His approach was always methodical: study hard, plug leaks systematically, and build a game that wins consistently over large sample sizes rather than relying on variance or intuition.
Upswing Poker — Built for Real Improvement
Ryan Fee and Doug Polk launched Upswing Poker in 2016 with a clear mission: create training content that actually moves the needle for everyday players. Since then, the platform has grown into a powerhouse with courses from world-class coaches across every poker format.
Ryan's personal contribution to Upswing centers on cash game fundamentals and 6-max strategy. He has produced some of the platform's most popular content, including:
- The Upswing Lab — Upswing's flagship membership, which Ryan helped develop and continues to contribute to. It covers everything from preflop ranges to advanced postflop play across all common formats.
- PLO Launch Pad — a beginner-to-intermediate course for players looking to transition into Pot Limit Omaha
- Ranges, Balance & Bluffs — an in-depth module on constructing balanced ranges and understanding when to deviate from GTO
Teaching Philosophy
What distinguishes Ryan Fee as a coach is his ability to simplify complex theory without sacrificing accuracy. He understands that most poker players do not need to memorize solver outputs — they need a clear mental model for why certain plays work and how to apply those principles in real time at the table.
His courses emphasize:
- Strong preflop fundamentals — building a solid range structure that makes postflop decisions easier
- Position awareness — understanding how position affects every street of play in 6-max games
- Bet sizing logic — knowing when to use small, medium, and large bets — and why
- Exploitative adjustments — recognizing population tendencies and how to profit from them
Why Upswing Lab Stands Out
The Upswing Lab is particularly valuable because it is a living resource. Unlike one-off courses that become outdated, the Lab is updated regularly with new content, hand history reviews, and strategy modules. Members get access to contributions from multiple elite coaches — making it one of the most comprehensive cash game libraries available.
Ryan Fee's fingerprints are all over the Lab's core curriculum. The no-nonsense, structured approach to learning reflects his belief that consistent improvement comes from building strong habits around study and review — not from chasing advanced concepts before the basics are locked in.
Is Ryan Fee's Coaching Right for You?
If you play 6-max cash games online and feel like your game has plateaued, Ryan Fee's content is an excellent place to invest your study time. His courses work best for players who have a basic understanding of poker but want to build a more rigorous, solver-informed approach to the game. The Upswing Lab in particular offers exceptional value for players at NL25 through NL500, where mastering fundamentals delivers the highest return on investment.
Ryan Fee may not be the flashiest name in poker coaching — but he is one of the most effective. His track record of helping everyday players build genuinely profitable cash game strategies speaks for itself.
