There comes a time when anyone who plays poker has to decide what they want from the game. Ask yourself: does the weekly home game satisfy my needs? Are my monthly trips to the local cardroom all I crave? Do I play poker purely for the love of the game? Or do I yearn and think I have the potential for more?

I value my regular game, even more so when some curious media types who’ve seen poker on TV want to drop in to donate some cash. The regulars and myself welcome them with open palms, as we bleed them dry in the most convivial of ways.

The problem is, though, when you’re playing with the same people all the time, there’s only so much you can improve.