Amateur/Semi-Pro/Pro? - Define

Well my definition is that a pro is anyone who makes his money only from playing poker, semi-pro is somebody who plays on regular bases but still having a normal job and an amateur im not really sure, i guess some one who plays occasionally and poker income is insignificant in relation to his real income. I guess an amateur is the same as fish?

Double post

When a fish calls your 3-bet with 96o, peels two barrels with 9-high, makes his gutshot on the river and you go like this...

... then you're a pro!

Originally posted by fuzzyfish
When a fish calls your 3-bet with 96o, peels two barrels with 9-high, makes his gutshot on the river and you go like this...

... then you're a pro!

Or he is...

Pro: Primary source of income is poker.
Semi-pro: Significant source of income is poker, but has other income
Amateur: Primary source of income is something other than poker.

Non of the designations needs to imply any level of skill.
In the amateur category, Guy Laliberté comes to mind.

Thanks everyone!

So pretty much any 18 years old player still living with his parents without a job should be considered a pro ?

Originally posted by AwaysRemember
So pretty much any 18 years old player still living with his parents without a job should be considered a pro ?

No because he isn't making his living playing poker, he makes his living off his parents.

My opinion is that the difference betweena professional and an amateur is their state of mind and approach to the game.

I really think 'semi-profesional' is an amateur, not a part time professional. This because I don't see a way of approaching the game professionally in one instance and as an amateur the next. Playing part time you still have the same mindset, money isn't the issue.
You can be very professional and not earn a cent as a volunteer for example.

Just my 2c is all, feel free... ♦

not sure if I understand your classification qeustion. espacially amateur. Do you mean a player that is just starting the game or one that is just playing for fun or do you think this also includes people just winning with rakeback or just making pocket change of there poker game? if the later the definition of amateur seems way to broad to say anything about it since it would consist of all players that are bad to players that are at least somewhat decent.

I for one would at least make the destiction at a recreational player ( one that plays poker because he finds it fun, but won't spend time inproving his game ) and a hobbyiest ( one that injoys playing poker and actively looking to improve his game although not making mentinable or even losing slightly).

for semi-pro I would go define someone that is making a decent level of money on average, but still has an regular job or other means to support him.

A pro is everybody that can support himself and him family solely from income of poker and poker affiliated income

Originally posted by sirilidion
not sure if I understand your classification qeustion. espacially amateur. Do you mean a player that is just starting the game or one that is just playing for fun or do you think this also includes people just winning with rakeback or just making pocket change of there poker game? if the later the definition of amateur seems way to broad to say anything about it since it would consist of all players that are bad to players that are at least somewhat decent.

I for one would at least make the destiction at a recreational player ( one that plays poker because he finds it fun, but won't spend time inproving his game ) and a hobbyiest ( one that injoys playing poker and actively looking to improve his game although not making mentinable or even losing slightly).

for semi-pro I would go define someone that is making a decent level of money on average, but still has an regular job or other means to support him.

A pro is everybody that can support himself and him family solely from income of poker and poker affiliated income

+1

dump the semi-pro. it's relatively meaningless term, especially if you compare to other sports. More like an ego brushing term, since one doesn't want to be called amateur, as spending 5 hours a day reading poker forums is almost full-time occupation

pro - someone who's main occupation (profession) is playing poker
amateur - someone who is focused on improving and becoming pro (eventually)
recreational - someone who plays regularly but doesn't see poker as career choice
not a player - everyone else

I dont think that money is actually that important for those definitions, since one could in theory be a losing (ever a period of time) professional high-stakes player, as well as a winning micro-ubergrinder-pro content with making and living off 500 euro a month. also, winning a couple million in a tourney wouldn't make you a pro...

I always considered myself as a semi-pro. I'm a student finishing my masters degree, and poker is my only income, but i only play as a part-time (3h/day) and my intention is to get a full time job when i finish my master's.