mvp
* Poker is not my primary (or even secondary) source of income. I could lose my entire starting stake and it would not impact my life in the slightest. From what I've seen, the recommended bankrolls (20 buy-ins, 300 BB, etc), are all calculated for a very low risk of ruin. I'm making a conscious decision to accept a much higher risk of ruin in return for a chance to play at levels I would not normally play.
* Playing outside my comfort zone is one of my goals.
I want to push myself to see how I respond under pressure - when "big money" is on the line.
* I see the potential upside (quickly building a bankroll in bigger games) being much greater than the potential downside (losing my starting stake). Even if I run into a ceiling at some level that I can't seem to break through and decide to cash out there, I'll at least know how high up my ability can take me.
Again, it's entirely possible that my experiment will end in disaster, and that's ok. The learning experience alone will be more than worth the price of admission.