The Maven is the well known poker alias of David Chicotsky. Chicotsky recently announced his upcoming launch of his Maven poker training course. Not yet 30, he has been playing poker professionally since 2005. A native of Fort Worth, TX, Chicotsky  graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Economics. From there he went to Grad School at Baylor studying Environmental Sciences.  He started out playing online cash games with $10 buy-ins. David eventually moved up to higher stakes, as he got better. However, he decided to make his name in the multiple table format as opposed to sit and go's or cash games. The Maven plays all over the internet at various sites. It is not uncommon for him to play 500 tournaments in a single month. While there are no exact figures, it is well estimated he won almost seven figures in prize money in 2008. Due to the United States implementing strict internet gambling restrictions, Chicotsky moved to Coast Rica in order pursue his internet poker career. Although he has become one of the most successful mtt online winners online, his real passion is teaching others the nuances of the game he loves.

To understand the Maven poker training methodology David Chicotsky uses, it helps to know how he personally learned to play. While Chicotsky was learning the game, he found a mentor in Alan Engel. Engel was already a top ranked online poker player, known better as "Bodog Ari". Cicotsky flew out to Las Vegas to live and train with Bodog Ari at his home. It became an intense round the clock immersion into all things poker. Emerging from this experience, Cicotsky became the Maven. While others players like to play on feel and instinct, David's method relies on structure. It is a structure that obviously allows him to make thousands of dollars at the poker tables. It also prevents him and his students from going on tilts. Tilting typically leads to long losing streaks. The term 'running bad' is not allowed with Maven's poker training methods. Plays are made specific to each situation. Psychology does come into play, but is not the foundation. When you are playing several tables simultaneously, you must have a system that makes the best play every time. Maven focuses on fundamentals of poker and repeating the steps every time. Don't look for a volume of books on the Maven system, because it is a simple process that can be learned in a matter of days. For those struggling to become a winner, the Maven poker system, may be the answer they are looking for.

In a recent interview, David Chicotsky, revealed some upcoming details regarding the Maven Poker Training site. The Maven, wants to bring his brand of poker to those who were not able to afford the $1500 per day fee charged to attend the Las Vegas center he co-hosts with Ari Engel. Sensing the need to provide a bridge to the smaller stakes players who cannot yet afford such a price tag, the Maven will offer his virtual training course. At present the price tag has been announced at $1,000USD. Through the use of at home study in a virtual environment a student will be educated in the complete system put together by Chicotsky after years of perfection. It is stressed that there will be nothing held back, including more advanced concepts as each student progresses. While this course will be complete in regards to preparing a pupil to win immediately at any MTT, it will be stressed that this is to be the first step. The next step will be going out to the training center in Las Vegas. Chicotsky and Engel will personally review each person play and offer advice on playing the system optimally. In order to qualify though a person must take the virtual training and pass specific exams. Think of it as a under graduate courses as one prepares for graduate school. Surely a person can make good money with just the under grad, but the real riches lie in finishing the graduate courses.

When David Chicotsky arrived in Las Vegas to train with Ari Engel, the house only had two mattresses. Chicotsky brought his own laptop and there they stayed for a week. Immediately after that week, David did take down a nice online tourney for $15,000. Although the furnishings have changed considerably, the Maven Poker training system remains the same. Students tuition includes food and lodging for their stay. There are numerous 30 inch monitors for playing and rail birding throughout the facility in Las Vegas. What makes this location even more special is that all of the hands are recorded. After a tournament a group can gather and replay the hand. All views are taken into consideration, but ultimately the play will be measured against the system being taught by Chicotsky and Engel. Each day is guaranteed to include 8 intense hours of play and review. Having the virtual training completed as a prerequisite is key to moving past the basics and making the most of the time on site. The latest prices for this portion of Maven's training was $1,500 per day. Not for the weak of heart and that is exactly who they may be trying to weed out. One thing for sure, if you are forking over that kind of money you are not taking poker as a hobby. Personally I would think you are going to be looking to be a full-time pro after the live training.