And when I say "the next level", I'm not talking about the weekly ten dollar game down at the volunteer fire department. No sir, I am talking about taking a trip to Vegas, putting all your dreams on the line and entering the World Series of Poker.

Yes, this dream has been bubbling inside your fevered little brain for years now. And you never really knew for sure if you would ever arrive at a stage in your mental and physical development in which you would feel properly equipped to enter the granddaddy of all poker tournaments. But, against all odds and in flagrant opposition to the best advice you from your parents, spouse, friends and IRS accountant, you are now ready to make the boldest of all moves. The only problem is that you're not sure exactly how to get where you want to go. So you did the smart thing: you decided to ask your old pal Raymond.

Here's the scoop, straight up. There are two processes for an amateur to enter the World Series of Poker. The first of these is to dazzle the Internet world with your poker acumen by winning an online satellite tournament. These are being held on an ongoing basis at any number of reputable online poker rooms, such as PokerStars.com. Yes, I am sure you've heard the legendary stories of Chris Moneymaker and Greg "Fossilman" Raymer, both of whom vaulted themselves from lives of dreary quiet desperation to international superstardom by virtue of winning satellite tournaments hosted by Poker Stars.

Well, there is absolutely no reason I can think of that you should not follow in their hallowed footsteps. Unless, of course, you're a total hack who could not win a single game of 5-card draw against a group of can kindergarten students. The other way to enter the World Series of Poker is simply to bite the bullet and pony up the official buy-in fee for the main event. You must bear in mind that while this is a surefire way of gaining access to the tournament, it ain't cheap. What's that, you asked? You want to know exactly how much it costs to join the World Series of Poker this way. Well here is the answer, buddy: ten big ones. That's right, you heard me for real, $10,000 to be involved in the main event.

But, I would not be too daunted because as recently as last year (2005) the WSOP was won by an amateur name Joseph Hachem who entered the tournament by paying the full fee. So, as you can see, it can be done. I'd think very carefully about which strategy works best for you and then move forward boldly.