Originally posted on 12/13/2013:

Here is why going pro just makes sense even for US players:

Cost: $200
Tax Savings: $36 (assuming you itemize and 18% effective tax rate)
Actual cost: $164 ($200 minus the $36 you get back on taxes)

I would imagine most live close enough to a Target where a Target GC could be used to purchase something you would buy anyway, and that most here spend at least $60 a year on pizza:

Target gift card = 2,950 points
$60 pizza cards = 1,275 points
Total points needed = 4,225 points.

That equates to logging in 353 out of 365 days (12 points/day*353 days = 4,236 points). $160 worth of gift cards leaves you $4 short of break-even. That means, over course of a year, you need to win $4 at the casino, sportsbook, or poker tables (and if you can't be +ev at SBR poker you are not in the right place - the daily's are almost free money).