I think that it depends on the level of play. From what I have heard and read, if you play at high limits and you don't have the skill, you will get killed in limit. In no limit, if you play a tight game by reducing the hands that you play you can break even or come out ahead at any buy-in. If you read most 2+2 books, this is what they will say. Ed Miller states this In the book Getting Started in Hold'em.