Professional Poker Player

by Linda Johnson | Published: Oct 10, 2003

At one of our recent Wednesday Poker Discussion Group meetings, the topic came up of how "professional poker player" should be defined. A few days later, I read a post on RGP that asked for the definition of a professional poker player. Since there seems to be some timely interest in this subject, I surveyed a few poker players. Here are some answers to the question, "How would you define a professional poker player?"

Diane Biersteker: My definition of a professional poker player would be someone like Barry Tanenbaum, who approaches it as a job, with a set schedule and regular days off, and is fully equipped with the tools of his trade. He has made an investment, and he manages it in a hands-on way each day that he goes to "work."

Nolan Dalla: My definition of a professional poker player is as follows: Any person who derives a majority of his or her personal income from playing poker (defined as 51 percent or greater).

My definition of a semiprofessional poker player is as follows: Any person who derives any income, but not more than 50 percent, from playing poker.

Howard Lederer: A professional poker player is someone who has made his or her primary living by playing poker for at least a few years.

Mike Caro: A professional player is anyone with sufficient skills to beat chosen opponents, and who uses those skills consistently to earn enough money for most people to live on. Under this definition, you can be a professional player even if you make more money from other endeavors. A professional player need not be as skillful as some losing players, but must choose to match up regularly against players who will be at a disadvantage.

Joan Destino: A professional poker player chooses to utilize his or her intellect, energy, talent, and discipline by playing in live poker games and/or tournaments. The expectation is that the player will be able to win enough to cover his financial investment, as well as provide for the necessities and the luxuries fitting his specific lifestyle. As I've been heard to say at the poker table, "Thank God I married well!"

Roy Cooke: I would define a professional poker player as a player who derives at least half of his income from poker.

Andy Glazer: A professional poker player is someone who does each of the following:

1. Regularly earns money that is significant to him or that would be considered significant by most people.

2. Plays for reasons other than love of the game and the people who play; that is, a professional remains in a likely profitable game even if he doesn't enjoy the company of those he's playing with.

3. Plays on a regular basis – let's say at least 25 times a year.

There are many things I would add to this list for a good professional, but it's possible to be a professional without being very good at it. On the other hand, if someone is a long-term loser, I don't see how that person can be considered a pro, no matter how many hours he puts in during a year. I see many independently wealthy people in the L.A. area who regularly play the tournament circuit and/or the big cash games, but year in and year out, they are big donators. These folks like to think of themselves as professionals, but merely logging hours isn't enough.

Gregory Weitzel: A professional poker player is:

1. What I've wanted to be all my life.

2. Someone who makes more than 50 percent of his or her annual income from poker.

3. Someone who spends more than 20 or 30 hours a week playing poker.

4. A person who states on an income tax return that professional poker player is his primary vocation.

5. Mike Sexton, Mike Caro, Maverick, and all of my other heroes.

Donna Blevins: A professional poker player is someone who:

1. Makes a profit from poker three years in a row (so that he meets the criteria for "professional" according to the IRS).

2. Makes a primary living playing poker.

3. Earns at least 51 percent of his total income from poker.

Vince Burgio: In my opinion, a professional poker player is one who derives most of his living from playing poker and has done it for three to five years.

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to answer my question. I would, however, agree with Barry Tanenbaum, who believes a professional player is someone who makes most of his living by playing or teaching poker. Now, let's play poker!