The craft: from home game to main event

The plan was boring and it worked. Year one: local $100–$300 events only, every result logged, a hard rule of no more than 2% of bankroll in any single buy-in. Year two: satellites into one flagship event, plus a written rule that a won seat is played, not sold. The interesting detail is what was cut — no cash game side action, no late-night rebuys, no unplanned events. Two years, one main event, bankroll intact.