As a New Jersey resident, I play on a regulated site. The disadvantage of this is the lack of action. I'm currently playing $2NL and my roll is large enough to support some $4NL. There are usually 2 full ring games at $2NL, 3-4 tables of 6-max $10NL, and no action at all for $4NL.

I usually get myself on 2 tables of $2NL full ring and try to establish a 3rd table. Over the last few days it has been trying to create action at $4NL by sitting at an empty table. This works at times, but more often than not it's heads up, and heads up is a coin toss for me right now. I don't really feel like risking that much playing 2 handed. I would prefer 4-6, but most times that's not a possibility.

I estimate it will take me 75k-150k hands of $2NL to build a bankroll that I feel is stable enough for $10NL*. This could take anywhere between 7 and 18 months. I can see myself hitting a wall mentally since the jump is 5x as opposed to the usual 2-2.5x. So I've been mulling is over, and I have a few options that I've come up with:

1. Just grind it out. While I will certainly fight bouts of boredom, as long as I am improving my fundamentals at a consistent rate, it will serve me well in the long run

2. Take my lumps playing short handed at $4NL while playing $2NL. Variance is a cold hearted bitch, and no one is immune from it. The swings will be more erratic. However, I could hit an upswing, getting to my goals faster. As long as I practice tight BRM, I should be fine.

3. Loosen my standards. I could drop from 50BI to 30-40BI. This would allow me to start taking shots sooner. Possibly gaining a foothold at $10NL. I can always tighten up later.

I have a long way to go before I can realistically think about playing $10NL. I'm mainly trying to figure out the path I should take.

*When I deposited I told myself 50BI to play a level. It's very nitty, but my goal is to have a self sustaining hobby.