I am thankful for the very helpful and honest posts on this thread.

The funny thing is I pride myself on being a fairly bright and perceptive sort of a lad and this is only one of many things any true professional simply must have in his repertoire. The simple fact that I didn't assume pro play (or at the very least above average) must have a system by which they measure success shows my ignorance.

What separates the pro player from a "weekend warrior" is the intangibles, the morter between the bricks. The best pros are astute and devoted students of the game.

When the commentators on tv say "he is almost priced in to make the call here" there are actually pockets of players out there who "get that!" Not coincidently they are generally beating up any game they are playing in.

It is really a pleasure to be on a forum surrounded by these people.

LOL 15-20 buy-in downswings are possible even for good players...nm 8-10.

Are you sure bluffs don't work at $25NL? I've recently worked it into my game this past week or so, and man it's profitable. But I do use a HUD to show stats on them...

I think you should work your way up to $500 if you're going to be playing $25NL though. Takes forever, but you do learn how to play and it will be worth it. Then get Pokertracker, PokerAce HUD, and you're set. ^^ ]

If you really ARE serious about learning this stuff, start reading. Start at , and start reading all the articles, learning and thinking about this stuff.

POST HANDS HERE. I keep forgetting to. But it does improve your play a lot. Good luck bro.!