[Scorpion Man]

No one can promise to outperform broad index funds (or anything else for that matter). I was in the business of creating returns for over a decade. My tax returns from 1994 to 2005 showed material gains in my personal portfolio each and every year (including the disaster stock market years of 2000-2002). My professional record showed gains in 9 of the 10 years in which I had a measured portfolio (the down year was -2%).

I hesitate to write that, because my intention in posting here was not to say "boy, am I good" (although I am, wink).

My intention is to say i am 1000% better than what most people on these boards are doing...which is either nothing, or acting on tips from friends if they are buying individual stocks. I am not a broker...I couldn't take money directly from people if I wanted to - I am not licensed.

But investing is an entire discussion...for some people matching the indexes is a good outcome...for others, they are interested in outperformance, which can only come from individual stock or sector selection. Then you are talking about getting in bed with someone whom you respect and taking the increased risk of stock selection.

As an example of what you can do with small amounts of money that are invested in a concentrated fashion...my parents had a little account with $20k in it that I directed starting in 2001. The market is barely up in that time and they have $75k.

This is not a short "how to" discussion. It is specific to each person's goals, earnings power, asset base, liquidity needs, family situation, risk tolerance, etc.

For most of the people in this forum, the first step is to develop a relationship with someone who will keep them out of trouble, as well as begin to direct them to other possibilites, including individual security selection.

I guess my question is this -- is there enough of a base of poker players out there that one could create a boutique financial practice catering to their particular needs and questions -- combo of tax planning, investing, and given their age (if they are smart enough to listen) -- advice on overall spending and financial management.

I don't know what makes people credible in these forums...I passed on an opportunity to run a fund that would have been news enough to be reported in the Wall Street Journal. I know what I am talking about.