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Players like Donski often struggle with these financial burdens, often reliant on cost-saving measures such as sharing accommodations or traveling with less luxurious means. The expenses associated with competing—average round-trip flights costing around $1,000, hotel accommodations soon adding up to several hundred dollars, and food costs—turn aspiring professional careers into significant financial liabilities. In fact, New Zealand player Kieran Palpanu reported earning $6,771 in prize money while spending $34,500, showcasing a dire financial reality for those outside the mainstream.