are the steps tournaments profitable for anyone here?

[ender555]

i was thinking about buying in 10 step 1's.. or mini step 1's actually. i'll play till all i have is free rolls to step 2. Then i'll use all those till all i have is free roll's to step 3 and so on. If I could get 1 or 2 to step 5 that would be cool because I would have a chance to make a decent chunk of change. just wondering if anyone has done this type of thing yet?

[vqc]

apparently after hardcore mathematical study by 2+2, playing through the steps is a rake trap.

[Les_Worm]

Michael1123 won a seat to the WSOP playing the steps.

[lovemachine]

steps are profitable but I wouldn't suggest buying into step 1 and playing from there. I've been buying into mini step 3 usually and a couple times into mini step 4 to earn my seat into mini step 5. I've cashed 4 of the 6 times I've played mini step 5 ( top 5 paid ) but am yet to get top 2... sucked out late in the tourney every time. I know radashack has been making money on these by starting at step 4, spook went all the way through and won a step 5 by starting at the lower levels. They are definately profitable so go ahead and give it a shot. I haven't tried the normal steps yet, just the minis, but i'll play the normal ones once I increase my bankroll.

[gabe]

apparently after hardcore mathematical study by 2+2, playing through the steps is a rake trap.

link?

[vqc]

a few links that say they are
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...v=#Post2340221
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...v=#Post2268904

there is also a link that says that its not a rake trap.
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...v=#Post2334197

there is defnitely more on both subjects, excpet 2+2 serach sucks ass and i dont want ot deal with it anymore