In order to be a poker player...

[FW Andy]

That statement is obviously just a metaphor. I've heard the same for any type of gambling. Basically if you can't go into a game with whatever your buy in is with the ability and knowledge that it can be gone and be ok with that then you can't play ANY game of chance. It's obvious that burning money is not a +EV move but then again, playing with scared money isn't either. It clouds judgement.