The question comes up in every forum, every Discord server, and every comment section: “Is online poker still beatable in 2026?”
It is easy to be cynical. Rake is high. PLO Solvers are everywhere. The “Golden Age” of 2005 is long gone. But while the pessimists are busy complaining on Twitter, the crushers are busy printing money.
Rather than speculating, let’s look at cold, hard data.
PLO Mastermind coach and 5-Card PLO specialist, Demostene, just released his 2025 annual review. The results are not just impressive; they are a wake-up call for anyone claiming the games are dead.
Total Profit: $375,000. Game: 5-Card PLO.
If you are looking for the motivation to lock in and crush 2026, this is it. Here is the breakdown of how he did it, why he avoided the biggest sites, and how you can replicate his success using the right PLO training site.
The Stats: 9.4bb/100 Over 300k Hands
This wasn’t a lucky bink in a Sunday Million. This wasn’t a heater over 10,000 hands. This was a systematic dismantling of the player pool over an entire calendar year.
Demostene logged nearly 300,000 hands in 2025. His win rate? A staggering 9.4bb/100.
To put that in perspective: In modern high-stakes No Limit Hold’em, a win rate of 3-4bb/100 is considered elite. In Pot Limit Omaha, specifically the 5-Card variant, edges are significantly bigger.
This data proves one undeniable fact: 5-Card PLO is the most profitable game format in the world right now. The complexity of the extra card creates a skill gap that even casual PLO solver users struggle to close. If you are still grinding NLH or 4-Card PLO exclusively, you are fighting for scraps while the buffet is open next door.
Secret #1: Stop Playing on GGPoker (Game Selection)
How did he achieve a win rate of nearly 10bb/100?
Did he play exclusively on the biggest site in the world, GGPoker? No.
In his review, Demostene revealed a crucial strategic pivot: He focused the majority of his volume on non-GG sites.
It is convenient to open GGPoker. The software is slick, and the traffic is endless. But “convenient” is rarely “profitable.” The player pools on the major sites are denser with regs, the rake is often higher, and the edges are thinner.
The PLO365 Solution: Go Where They Aren’t
Success in 2026 isn’t just about being the best player at the table; it’s about being smart enough to find the worst players at the table.
If you want to replicate these results, you need to leave the shark tank. We strongly recommend moving your 5-Card PLO volume to softer ecosystems.
- CoinPoker: With the crypto boom, the action here is reminiscent of 2010.
- Phenom Poker: The new decentralized giant where the player pool is significantly softer than the major networks.
- BC Poker: The new and upcoming crypto poker app of the year!
Finding the best games is just as important as your 3-betting strategy, perhaps even more so today.
Secret #2: The “Control” Mindset
Most players set goals like: “I want to win $100,000 this year.” Demostene admits he hates these goals.
Why? Because you cannot control the outcome. You can play perfectly and run 50 buy-ins under EV. Setting monetary goals leads to tilt and burnout when variance hits.
Instead, the PLO Mastermind coach focused entirely on his process, the variables he could control:
- Volume: Showing up consistently to put in the hands.
- Study: How many hours spent in the PLO trainer?
- Physical Health: Staying fit to maintain focus during long sessions.
He openly admits to being “lazy” with preflop study at times, yet he still crushed because his “B-Game” was stronger than his opponents’ “A-Game.” This consistency is what separates the $375k winners from the break-even grinders.
How to Replicate This: The Blueprint
You cannot wake up tomorrow and beat high-stakes 5-Card PLO by guessing. The game is too complex. You need a roadmap.
Demostene didn’t do it alone; he utilized the resources inside PLO Mastermind, the premier PLO training site in the industry.
Here is your path to crushing 2026:
1. For Beginners: The 30-Day Bootcamp
If you are transitioning from 4-Card to 5-Card, your preflop ranges are likely wrong. You are probably playing too many “trashy” rundown hands that bleed money.
Start with the 5-Card PLO 30-Day Study Plan. This structured course rebuilds your game from scratch. It teaches you exactly which hands to open, 3-bet, and fold. It is the fastest way to get up to speed without drowning in theory.
2. For Pros: The PLO Trainer
To achieve a 9.4bb/100 win rate, you need to know your post-flop spots cold. Demostene and other crushers use the PLO Trainer.
This isn’t just a video library; it is an interactive PLO solver tool. It quizzes you on specific scenarios (e.g., “BTN vs BB, Monotone Flop”). It trains your intuition so you can make GTO-approved decisions in real-time. Whether you play 4-Card or 5-Card, this tool is non-negotiable for serious professionals.
3. Watch the $375k Review
If you are a member, go watch Demostene’s full video breakdown inside the PLO Mastermind members area. He walks through his year, his stake jumps, and the specific adjustments he made to crush the games.
Conclusion
Is online poker dead? Tell that to the guy who just cleared $375,000 in profit.
The opportunity is right there. 5-Card PLO is the game. CoinPoker and Phenom are the sites. PLO Mastermind is the tool.
The only variable left is you.
Are you going to spend 2026 complaining about bad beats, or are you going to put in the 300,000 hands and do the work?
Let’s crush it.
Key Takeaways
- Poker is Alive: A win rate of 9.4bb/100 over 300k hands proves high stakes are beatable.
- Game Selection is King: Stop grinding GGPoker blindly. Move to softer sites like CoinPoker or Phenom Poker to find the easy money.
- 5-Card PLO Dominates: This is the highest-edge game in 2026. If you aren’t playing it, you are losing out.
- Process Over Money: Focus on your study hours in the PLO trainer, not your cashier balance. The money follows the work.
FAQs
PLO Mastermind remains the gold standard. With coaches like Demostene posting verified $375k results, their content is proven to work in today’s games.
At micro stakes, no. But once you move to mid-stakes Pot Limit Omaha or 5-Card PLO, a tool like the PLO Trainer is essential to visualize ranges and understand GTO mechanics
Yes. As 5-Card becomes more popular, 6-Card PLO is becoming the next frontier for “soft” action. PLO Mastermind also offers content and tools for 6-Card variants.
You can read our full review of the course here: 5-Card PLO Mastermind 30-Day Study Plan Review. It is the best starting point for new 5-Card players.
With over 12 years of Omaha Poker experience, Lebi is the Head of Content at PLO365. A dedicated PLO specialist, he bridges the gap between complex GTO theory and practical street poker. He leads our review team, stress-testing PLO solvers, HUDs, and training courses to ensure they meet the demands of the modern grinder. When he isn’t auditing poker room RNGs or writing strategy guides, you can find him grinding mid-stakes PLO cash games and Turbo MTTs.
