Hey WL, just thought I'd let ya know I enjoy reading your semi-blog on BC. As a micro-wannabee-grinder who tries to get in an hour or two when possible, I see your place as somewhere I hope to be in a few k hands when/if I ever get the time.

Also as a canuck I can appreciate self-deprecating angst. It funnies my tickle bone.

As far as emotional investment, I'm ALWAYS nervous when I first sit down. I'm still under 3k hands total (since I started tracking) but I find my best play is when I follow a cold strategy and don't let myself think things like, "Oh this facker doesn't have it, I'm gonna call his AI to punish him!"

My best seshes are a zen-like thing, making decisions based on my (limited) knowlege of how a play is +ive over the long term. That means I probably throw away more hands when I'm ahead to a better player, but I find I'm getting sucked out less as you yourself have said "They've ALWAYS got it!" Obviously that can't be true, but finding out you've been sucked out by a hand/player you should have seen coming is a one-way ticket to Tilt City.

The other thing that helps me is only playing when well rested/focused, and I always set a time limit based on fatigue level, other commitments etc.

To sum up: I'm happy to be sponging up the knowlege from here while making decent plays (for my level) and relying on crappier players to help me build my BR. I'll move up when I'm (more than) comfy.

As for quitting your day job someday, I really hope it works out.