"At the end of the day, all we're both trying to do is make logical decisions."

That's how a buddy of mine ended a discussion we had concerning how we go about setting our DFS lineups.

Seems simple enough, right?

I thought so too then I got to thinking. Logical is a word that connotes black or white. It's either logical or it's not, there's no gray area.

But is that really the case? Is what's logical to me logical to everyone or is there context?

Here's a real life example that's admittedly a bit over the top to illustrate the point. You're not feeling well so you go to the Doctor. They diagnose the ailment and the good news is it's no big deal, nothing that a cycle of antibiotics can't fix. But instead of just prescribing some penicillin, your Doctor tries to talk you into a treatment in the experimental phase that may or may not work. And if it does, there are some pretty discomforting side effects.

Do you agree to this course of action? Of course not! It makes no sense. Why use something that may not work if there's a tried and true cure? It's illogical.

Now let's say the diagnosis wasn't as rosy. What if you have a rare disease for which there is no known cure. There's some work being done on a remedy with decent success on laboratory rats but it's still in the testing phase on humans. In fact, you're asked to be a subject in a study to test the drug. What do you do?

Here the only logical thing is to agree to be a human guinea pig and have the experimental drug administered. The circumstances have changed. In the first scenario it was illogical to undergo the experimental treatment while in the second case, it was the right thing to do.

What does this have to do with DFS? Cash games are the routine diagnosis while large entry tournaments with a top-heavy first prize are the potentially fatal scenarios. I told you the metaphor was a bit hyperbolic.

In cash games, the logical choices are the safer picks, with less perceived variance. In tournaments, it makes perfect sense to differentiate, to go off the reservation. A logical pick for a cash game may not be so logical for a GPP.

There's nothing ground-breaking here. I really didn't need to go all morbid on you to say be safe in cash and take chances in tournament play.

So why did I go down this road?

It's been a tough couple weeks for me in that I'm sitting home while a bunch of people I know are at live events, trying to take down championship finals. The emotion isn't at all jealousy - I'm thrilled for each and every one of them and wish them all luck. It's more frustration -- why not me?

I'm not fishing for words of encouragement or to be told what I need to do to get there. I'm not going to say that I know I'm good enough or that I'm not good enough.

The message I want to convey is decide on your agenda, be comfortable with it and stick to the plan. Most importantly, do it regardless of the distractions like a huge cardboard check with a boatload of zeroes.

Let's circle back to the concept of logic. Not only is logic contextual, but we're all wired differently and accepting something that is indeed logical in certain instances is a difficult task. For example, I come from a scientific background with an appreciation of statistical analysis, I need a tangible reason to do something. There has to be some evidence I'm embarking on the best course of action.

My DNA is more suited for cash games than it is for chasing the pot at the end of the rainbow. I need to set my DFS lineup with players I expect to perform the best that day. I'm not programmed to choose something plausible but maybe not probable. I can't base a pick because it might happen, I need to think it will happen.

So instead of wallowing in my own self-pity, not on a plane to Vegas, I need to continue to stay focused on what I do best - cash games.

?Not to sound preachy but this is an important message as we're winding down the baseball season and heading into football. Decide what you want from DFS and make peace with it.

If shooting the moon is your thing - more power to you! The message is not to stick just to cash games. We're all wired differently. Maybe your DNA is more willing to take chances. GO FOR IT.

With money being central to DFS, the landscape has changed, Take some time to determine what you want from DFS and stick to the plan. This doesn't mean I won't enter tournaments. I just need to stick to the plan of funding these lottery tickets with cash game winnings. Hopefully this time next year I'll be on that plane, writing a piece called "I Love it When a Plan Comes Together."