Winning Poker Tournaments Review: Is Nick Petrangelo’s Upswing Course Worth It? (2025)

Introduction: Upswing Poker’s Elite Tournament Training

Are you looking for a Nick Petrangelo poker course that can take your tournament game to the next level? In this in-depth Winning Poker Tournaments review, we’ll examine whether Upswing Poker’s premium training program delivers value for serious players.

With over 27 hours of content and strategies from a $20+ million winning pro, this poker tournament course promises to teach solver-based tactics used by elite players. But is it worth the investment?

Quick Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5) – Excellent for serious tournament players, but not suitable for beginners.

winning poker tournaments review

What is Winning Poker Tournaments by Nick Petrangelo?

Winning Poker Tournaments is an advanced poker training course created by Super High Roller champion Nick Petrangelo in partnership with Upswing Poker. The course features:

  • 27+ hours of video instruction
  • 250+ preflop charts (the famous Poker Preflop Mastersheet)
  • Solver-based strategies using PioSolver and Monker
  • Real hand analysis from $5K-$25K buy-in tournaments
  • Private Facebook community access

About Nick Petrangelo: Who’s Teaching You?

Nick Petrangelo is one of the world’s best poker tournament players with:

  • $20+ million in live tournament earnings
  • 2 WSOP bracelets
  • Sunday Million and WCOOP $25K High Roller victories
  • Consistent success in Super High Roller events
  • Top rankings on all-time tournament money lists

His credentials make this one of the most authoritative tournament poker courses available from an active winning player.


Winning Poker Tournaments Course Content Breakdown

1. Introduction to Poker Solvers (For Tournament Players)

Nick introduces the poker solver software used throughout the course:

  • PioSolver for postflop analysis
  • Poker Snowie for preflop strategies
  • Monker Solver for complex tournament spots

Even if you’ve never used GTO poker solvers, Nick explains how these programs work and why their recommendations optimize your tournament strategy.

2. Preflop Strategy & The Mastersheet (10 Videos)

The centerpiece of this poker course is the Preflop Mastersheet featuring:

  • 250+ preflop charts for tournament play
  • Raising First In (RFI) ranges by position
  • 3-betting and 4-betting strategies
  • Blind vs. blind optimization
  • Charts for 6 different stack depths (100BB to 15BB)
  • Adjustments for various tournament stages

Many players consider the tournament poker charts alone worth the course price.

Keywords covered: poker preflop strategy, tournament poker ranges, GTO preflop charts, poker hand selection

3. Advanced Postflop Play (13 Videos)

Deep dive into postflop poker strategy including:

  • Continuation betting on all board textures
  • Ace-high, monotone, and dynamic flop strategies
  • Check-raising from the big blind
  • Range splitting and equity distribution
  • Block bets and overbetting in tournaments
  • Optimal bet sizing for tournaments

This section teaches advanced poker strategy that separates winning players from the field.

4. Play & Explains: Real Tournament Hands (13+ Hours)

Watch Nick analyze actual hands from:

  • WCOOP $25K tournaments
  • SCOOP $10K and $5K events
  • Sunday high roller sessions
  • WSOP $1,000,000 One Drop vs. poker legends
  • Complete hand-by-hand tournament strategy breakdowns

This poker hand analysis section provides real-world application of the concepts taught.


Winning Poker Tournaments Review: Pros and Cons

Pros: What Makes This Course Stand Out

World-Class Instruction – Learn from a proven $20M+ winning pro
Comprehensive Coverage – 27+ hours of detailed tournament strategy
Preflop Mastersheet – 250+ charts for instant reference
Real Hand Examples – Extensive analysis from high-stakes tournaments
GTO & Solver-Based – Modern, mathematically sound strategies
Both Live & Online – Applicable to all tournament formats
Clear Teaching Style – Complex concepts explained simply
Community Access – Private Facebook group with instructor
Lifetime Access – Regular updates and new content
Proven Results – Strategies from actual winning tournaments

Cons: What to Consider Before Buying

High Price Point – Usually $999 (premium investment)
Advanced Level – Not for beginner poker players
Time Intensive – Requires serious study commitment
Solver Complexity – Heavy mathematical and technical focus
Information Dense – Can be overwhelming initially
Requires Practice – Theory must be applied to see results


Who Should Buy This Poker Training Course?

✅ Perfect For:

  • Experienced tournament players (500+ tournaments played)
  • Players competing in $500+ buy-in events
  • Online tournament grinders seeking edges
  • Students ready for advanced poker theory
  • Players wanting solver-based GTO strategies
  • Serious students willing to study 20+ hours

❌ Not Recommended For:

  • Complete poker beginners
  • Casual or recreational players
  • Low stakes tournament players only
  • Home game players
  • Those seeking quick wins without study

Winning Poker Tournaments Price: Is It Worth the Investment?

Current Price: $999 (check Upswing Poker for current promotions)

Value Analysis for Tournament Players

What You Get:

  • 27+ hours of elite instruction ($37/hour rate)
  • 250+ preflop charts (saves 100+ hours of solver work)
  • 13+ hours of real hand analysis
  • Ongoing course updates (lifetime value)
  • Private community access
  • Strategies potentially worth thousands in winnings

ROI Calculation: For players in $500-$1,000 buy-in tournaments, improved decision-making in just 2-3 key spots could recoup the investment. The preflop mastersheet alone saves hundreds of hours of solver study.

Compared to:

  • Private poker coaching ($200-500/hour)
  • Other premium poker courses ($299-$1,499)
  • Poker solver subscriptions ($50-100/month)

For serious tournament poker players, this represents strong value.


How Does It Compare to Other Poker Courses?

vs. Jonathan Little’s Tournament Masterclass

  • Winning Poker Tournaments: More solver-focused, advanced GTO
  • Little’s Course: More exploitative, beginner-friendly

vs. Upswing Lab (Doug Polk)

  • Winning Poker Tournaments: Tournament-specific, deeper charts
  • Upswing Lab: Cash game focus, broader audience

vs. Run It Once Elite

  • Winning Poker Tournaments: Single instructor, cohesive system
  • RIO Elite: Multiple pros, varied approaches

This course is best for players wanting the most advanced tournament poker strategy available.


Winning Poker Tournaments FAQ

Is Winning Poker Tournaments good for beginners?

No. This advanced poker course requires solid fundamentals. Beginners should start with introductory courses before investing in this premium training.

Can I use these strategies in live tournaments?

Yes! While Nick includes online examples, all tournament poker strategies apply to both live and online play. The preflop charts work everywhere.

Do I need to own poker solver software?

No. The course includes all solver outputs and charts. However, owning PioSolver or similar software helps for independent study.

How long does it take to complete the course?

With 27+ hours of content, most students take 2-4 weeks of dedicated study. However, the preflop mastersheet provides immediate value.

Does Upswing Poker offer refunds?

Upswing Poker offers customer satisfaction guarantees. Check their website for current refund policies.

Is this course updated for 2025?

Yes! The course receives regular updates with new content and strategy adjustments for the current poker environment.


Learning Path: How to Use This Course Effectively

Week 1-2: Foundations

  1. Watch Introduction to Solvers section
  2. Study Preflop Mastersheet basics
  3. Learn 100BB and 50BB ranges first

Week 3-4: Postflop Mastery

  1. Complete all postflop strategy videos
  2. Take detailed notes on key concepts
  3. Practice bet sizing calculations

Week 5+: Real Hand Analysis

  1. Watch Play & Explains section
  2. Pause and predict Nick’s actions
  3. Apply concepts in your tournaments
  4. Review difficult spots multiple times

Pro Tip: Use the preflop charts as a quick reference during online tournaments to make optimal decisions.


Winning Poker Tournaments Alternatives

If this course doesn’t fit your needs, consider:

For Beginners:

  • Upswing Poker Lab – Broader, beginner-friendly
  • Jonathan Little’s Masterclass – More accessible entry point

For Cash Game Players:

  • Upswing Lab – Doug Polk’s cash game focus
  • Run It Once From The Ground Up – Cash game fundamentals

For Budget-Conscious Students:

  • PokerCoaching.com (Jonathan Little) – Lower monthly fee
  • Red Chip Poker – Affordable courses

For Live Tournament Players:

  • Tournament Poker Edge – More live-focused content
  • Jonathan Little’s Live Tournament Course

Final Verdict: Should You Buy Winning Poker Tournaments?

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)

Winning Poker Tournaments by Nick Petrangelo is one of the best advanced poker training courses available for serious tournament players. The combination of:

  • Nick’s proven $20M+ winning record
  • Comprehensive 27-hour curriculum
  • Invaluable Preflop Mastersheet
  • Real high-stakes hand analysis
  • Solver-based GTO strategies

Makes this an outstanding investment for the right student.

Buy This Course If You:

✅ Play $500+ buy-in tournaments regularly
✅ Want cutting-edge GTO tournament strategy
✅ Are willing to invest serious study time
✅ Need solver-based charts and ranges
✅ Want to compete at elite levels

Skip This Course If You:

❌ Are new to poker tournaments
❌ Play only low buy-in events
❌ Want quick tips without deep study
❌ Prefer purely exploitative play
❌ Have budget constraints

For serious tournament players ready to invest in their game, this course can be transformational.


Where to Buy Winning Poker Tournaments

Official Website: Upswing Poker (use this link for current pricing and promotions)

Current Price: $999 (watch for holiday sales and bundle deals)

What’s Included:

  • Instant access to all 27+ hours
  • Downloadable Preflop Mastersheet
  • Private Facebook community
  • Lifetime updates
  • Mobile-friendly platform

Money-Back Guarantee: Upswing Poker stands behind their courses with satisfaction guarantees.


Related Poker Training Resources

Free Resources:

  • Upswing Poker Blog – Free strategy articles
  • Nick Petrangelo Twitter – Tournament tips
  • Poker Solver Tutorials – Free GTO training

Recommended Next Steps:

  • Advanced Cash Game Course – Complement tournament skills
  • PioSolver License – Continue solver study independently
  • Tournament Coaching – Personalized instruction

Conclusion: A Top-Tier Poker Tournament Course

In this Winning Poker Tournaments review, we’ve covered everything you need to know about Nick Petrangelo’s flagship Upswing Poker course.

For serious tournament poker players seeking GTO strategies and solver-based approaches, this represents one of the best educational investments available. The Preflop Mastersheet alone provides immense value, and the real hand analysis gives you insights from a proven champion.

While the $999 price tag is substantial, the potential ROI for active tournament players makes this a smart investment in your poker education.

Ready to elevate your tournament game? Visit Upswing Poker to enroll in Winning Poker Tournaments today.

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