what makes a pro?

BrianSwa · #1 08-13-05, 11:48 AM

TP recent poker domination got me thinking, what makes a poker player a pro? does it have to be youre major income for you to be a poker pro? I hope to make this thread a actul decent one with decent replies so stay out if you got nothing to add. Does anyone on this site concider themselves a poker pro? Out of all the people on here who would you concider a pro?

Talking Poker · #2 08-13-05, 11:53 AM

I don't think we have any pros here, currently. I tihnk tazmission claimed to be a pro, but I haven't seen him in a while...

IMO, to be a professional, poker needs to be your primary source of income. On your tax return, you write "Professional Gambler."

PShabi · #3 08-13-05, 01:19 PM

Yeah, that's pretty much, it.

It's not your ability level. There's one or two street ballers that have the skill to be in the NBA but they're not. Would you call them a pro?

I don't really think this is going to be that Pulitzer Prize winning thread you hoped it would, Brain.

BrianSwa · #4 08-13-05, 01:44 PM

no I know its not but thought it was a interesting subject that might have different opinions.

omahilo · #5 08-14-05, 07:50 AM

You got a few semi pros like Pshabi and TP but if they lose their entire bankroll they would still have a 'real' job to fall back on.

Talking Poker · #6 08-14-05, 10:37 AM

I'm not a semi-pro by any means.

I am a winning player, yes, but there's no "pro" about me.

BrianSwa · #7 08-14-05, 10:56 AM

aruba, lets say you cash for alot, say about $400,000 or more would you then concider yourself a pro? semi-pro?

omahilo · #8 08-14-05, 12:15 PM

TP...

If you won Aruba would you consider quitting your job and going pro?

Talking Poker · #9 08-14-05, 11:52 PM

Nope. Not unless I changed my lifestyle (more on that in a minute).

If you decide to buy a lottery ticket tomorrow and win $1 million with it, would you consider yourself a professional lottery player? Somehow I doubt it.

I don't think "results" are what determine profession, and that's how you seem to be looking at it. If Joe Blow spends 50 hours per week playing poker (he has no other job) and hits all the big WPT events, even if he end up having a losing year, HE is a professional poker player..... not the guy who decided to enter the WSOP Main Event on a whim and lucked his way into a big payday.

Talking Poker · #10 08-14-05, 11:57 PM

I doubt it. I think my lifestyle would certainly change, and I would end up playing in a lot more big tournaments (probably most of the WPT and WSOP Circuit events), but I wouldn't quit my day job.

Then again, keep in mind that I technically quit my day job 4 years ago. That's when I decided I didn't want to work for the man any more, and I've worked for myself ever since. I set my hours, I decide how much I want to work, etc, etc... Life is pretty good.

If I won Aruba, I'm sure it would change my life though... I'd play more big tourney poker, like I said, and even though I wouldn't completely quit, I would scale back how much "day job" work I do.

Of course, we all know I'm not going to win. When I make the final table and take down a relatively big payday though.... well, that will be interesting. Then I'll have some thinking to do.