Kent,What you wrote is inspiring and heart breaking at the same time. I hope you find the path that lets you connect with your son again. Always keep trying. I think my son appreciates me more than I ever thought he would. He has a lot of people pulling for him. Thank you for being part of the good luck wishers...and you're right, he doesn't think about the luck. It's all about the learning and polishing and tweaking and reading of the game. He's decided to get an apartment in Vegas. The inexpensive hotels and motels and filled with crack addicts and prostitutes. I know now he's staying in Vegas for a while at least. I guess I'm glad he doesn't want to be with the transient crowd. He said the strongest thing he uses are red bull caffeine drinks when he's in a tournament. He has studied more about poker than anything else. He's also become very disciplined. I can't believe there are actually good things about this!!! Also, I couldn't agree with you more about winning. It can be so empty and it is temporary. There is no greater feeling than making a child smile. THAT is a high. Take care, Polly