It's time for poker players to start putting their money to work.

[grapevinekid]

Scorpion Man: Have you read "The Little Book that Beats the Market"? If so, what are your thoughts?

This book turned me on to a couple of stocks that I bought a couple of mos ago and am pretty bullish about. They are PWEI and AH.

I also have long positions in COP(just under 59 base) and ESV(just under 42 base) which I bought as value plays a couple of mos ago and recently bought NEW just under 39 which probably is my riskiest holding although I feel the dividend and a stop loss order around 30 greatly reduces that risk.

I'd be interested to know if you have strong opinions on any of these stocks. With falling oil prices, I recently sold EGY to reduce my exposure there but I've debated whether I should hold COP and ESV or look to diversify more.

I've read "Hedge Hogging" by Barton Biggs and I'd have to agree with your stmt that most top talent at the mutual funds is fleeing for hedge funds. And, my 401(k) returns this yr certainly have given me no reason to dispute that stmt. With that in mind, I'd be interested to know your recommended asset allocation for a guy like myself in his mid 30s who would like to retire before the age of 60.