>>>The skill, Stu, is making higher percentage plays than the other guy, by playing a sound game or reading the opponents well.

There are professional BackGammon players. They know all the appropriate moves for a given board and a given roll of the dice. I can beat any one of them on a given day simply because the game is based on a roll of the dice (a completely random event).

All of the skill in the world can't help you when the key variable to the game is completely beyond your control.

>>>look at the records of Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreaneau, Cyndy Violette, Doyle Brunson, etc.

Oh there are certainly professional gamblers. I just don't think the list is as long as most folks think or would like to believe and all you ever hear about is what they have won.. never what they have lost on any given day.

I would simply suggest that anyone who is counting on poker (or any other game of chance) for next month's rent.. have a good backup plan.