Q: What's the easiest or best way to get onto the circuit?

Dreaming

El Centro, Calif.

PADRAIG PARKINSON - Padraig Parkinson is known as a very dangerous and clever player. He has won more than $1.3 million in tournament play. CNS Photo.

A: The easiest way is probably white-collar crime. Insurance fraud is pretty good because you're a hero if you don't get caught, and a hero if you do. You could also consider kidnapping that guy who does the English commentary on the EPT. You could send a note to PokerStars threatening to post them his tongue if they don't sponsor you for a year. Send the tongue anyway.

The best way is a little tougher. The tournament circuit, in these days of big fields and huge buy-ins, is, for many, a race: hit a big payday before you go broke, or go broke before you hit a big payday. The only way to make sure you can be around when it's your turn is to improve your cash-game skills to a level that your cash-game funds your tournament buy-ins. Simple.

Q: I tend to do well in sit-n-gos and even three-table tournaments, but I struggle when the field gets bigger. Perhaps I have ADD, but I can't really concentrate for that long. What advice do you have?

Mandy

Seattle

A: Try shorthanded turbo tournaments. Or a hobby that doesn't bore you too much.

Q: What are the essential qualities you need to be a tournament player rather than a cash-game player?

Jim T.

Houston

A: You need character, because to be a tournament player you have to accept that there's going to be lots of disappointments for every great day out. You can't let them make your life a misery.

Be a gambler, because if you don't do it willingly, you won't win.

Have a strong desire to win, because if you don't want it more than the other guy, he'll probably beat you.

Q: How do you deal with a player who is being really aggressive, and, you suspect, getting equally lucky?

Can't Beat Luck

Chicago

A: It depends. If he's not really interfering with your business, wish him well. If he is, and you don't think he's going to blow out, fight fire with fire. You might get knocked out, but at least it's fun.

Padraig Parkinson is known among his fellow pros as a very dangerous player with or without cards - or even sleep. Aggressive and clever, Parkinson has won more than $1.3 million in tournament play. Highlights include a third-place finish in the 1999 World Series of Poker Main Event, which netted him nearly $500,000, and a third place in a $1,500 no-limit hold'em event.