The advice comes down to "Start at a low limit. Win consistently. Move up to a higher limit. Win consistently. Move up to a higher limit. Win consistently."

It's the winning consistently that you have to worry about.

Also, if you want to start playing poker using someone else's money, I would recommend these guys -- http://www.pokersourceonline.com/free-poker/money. They give you free money at one of the poker rooms.

It's pretty easy really, and nothing secret. Read good books. Practice. Discuss with friends. Start off low, build your way up using proper bankroll management (which is found in said books).

The hardest thing I found was building up my way with proper bankroll management.

I played too high of limits for my bankroll, so I would do well but my negative swings would deplete my whole bankroll.

That, and I found myself cashing out because I was in school at the time.

Would you care to elaborate? Which books are good? What kind of practice? I'm sure many here are interested.

Thanks.

You can see my list of recommended books on my blog. They really are the books I endorse.