Hey Chopper, mucho thanks.

I'm still not getting why $50 + $5 is agood deal but $50 + $9 isn't. Sorry if I'm coming across as numb right now.


As for "pro" - I was thinking comparable to a day job. A bog standard day job. I am *not* looking at going pro, I haven't the hands to know if I'm a lose money/break even/profit player, nor the experience etc. Though if I was, I'd only need $2000 a month; or $1000 if I moved in with my gf. On a generously easy 20 day month basis that's just $100/$50 a day. So I was thinking along those lines really when I asked about pros - though a chance to earn $40k in rake alone would be more than welcome

I ask because I hope to be there sooner rather than later. I won't bore you with my personal situation suffice it to say I've been out of work (my choice) for 4 months and living off my investments. Working for somebody again is not on my agenda, ever, so there's no job to quit, no career to worry about and I already have sufficient savings/investments to support myself for 12 months without working. 24 months if I moved in with my missus. And so it really would be a limited risk when I feel good enough to take that small step from part time to full time.

At microstakes (.10/.20) I averaged $50 a session, single table, and $100 would be a very good session. That's a bit too close for comfort in terms of what I'd need to make but when I get good enough to play $2/$4, or even $1/$2 that shouldn't be an issue.

Let me repeat, I have no intention of going pro.....yet. Though I have the BR if required, I am also level headed. I've got money. I want to keep it Playing above my level is a sure fire way to not keep it.



Here is another question, I forgot to ask. Tomorrow will be spent reading the essays and watching the videos here at FTR and hence my answer may lie within them.

Until I started mooching around forums, I never came across the term EV. Never heard commentators mention it. Not any pros. I have a few books/DVDs and though they all mention odds and percentages, none mention EV and so I am wondering, just how important is it to be successful at poker?

I've checked out a few descriptions and thus far, they all go over my head - but gimme a break; it's 3am! One example almost sent me into a coma, talking about probability of you winning a J high flush and the various possibilities of your opponent betting with any club, no club, a K or Qc etc.....snooze.

To be honest, I'd rather it wasn't essential. Despite my high IQ, maths isn't a particularly strong point and it always sends me into a coma. I can just about prevent my eyes glazing over when figuring out odds. However, I'm prepared to do everything to vastly improve.