What makes a pro?

Anonymous

Was wondering what makes a professional poker player? You hear them on tv refer to such and such as a pro and I have never heard it explained on what the parameteres are for becoming one. I would assume it would have something to do along the lines of gathering ones main source of income from playing and it being defined as a job for tax purposes.

I don't believe there is any governing body for poker , so there would be no status requirements to meet such a standard to become a pro.

Just wondering?

ScottyZ

I would assume it would have something to do along the lines of gathering ones main source of income from playing

Yeah, that's pretty much it I think.

and it being defined as a job for tax purposes.

Well, not necessarily.

I don't believe there is any governing body for poker , so there would be no status requirements to meet such a standard to become a pro.

No, there is not. When you hear someone referred to as a prefessional poker player (on the WPT episodes for example), in some sense it technically doesn't mean anything.

ScottyZ

kwplayer

And until you are on the WPT you still retain your amateur status so you are good for when they introduce poker in the olympics (go gold 2012)! :P