[Turning Stone Pro]

Here's my story, LRAO, for what it's worth.

I started playing HE in 1998, when I was just starting out with a small law firm in SW Missouri. I had played lots of home games, and 7 card stud in casinos, up to about 5-10.

I started playing hold em on my road trips to Tunica, MS. I started out playing 10-20, and never really looked back.

While I didn't have a great deal of HE experience when I started, I read all the books and had a lot of valuable home game experience playing with some pretty tough competition.

I had a small bankroll built up from the home games I played in, so I decided to start right out at 10-20. I figured, if im going to learn this game I need to play against reasonably decent competition -- I felt that with my background in poker there was no reason to start at less than 10-20. I knew that the majority of the players would be better than me, although I knew I would learn fast. I was surprised to find that many of the middle limit players were not hotshot players, just had more money than lower limit players.

My advice is this: it sounds like you have a decent understanding of the basic strategy and some poker theory. I don't see why you shouldnt continue playing in the middle limits you've stepped up to. Always remember: keep reading, watch players better than you, and ask questions. Oh yeah, dont get over your head. There is no shame in stepping down a limit when the cards aren't running your way -- which will, unfortunately, happen -- especially online.

While I like to joke around on this site, it is a tremendous source of information: especially when you review a thread with differences of opinions from top players: not only does it shed light on the "correct" way to play a hand, it also indicates on how other people think and reason at a poker table (whether you feel they are 'right' or wrong').

Best Wishes, I hope you find the game as rewarding as I have and make lots of money (as long as it's not from me).

TSP