What Makes an Amateur Poker Player a Pro?

Boy, that's a question I've been asking myself for a long while now. But really, what makes an average poker player a poker professional? What separates amateur players from real pros? Some would say that professional players are the ones who consider poker their career and make their living from playing poker. These guys eat, drink and sleep poker. However, it is only one way to look at the issue. Many prominent poker players, like 2005 WSOP champion Joe Hachem, who are definitely considered pros, are in no hurry to abandon their non-poker jobs.

Looking from a completely different angle on the issue, perhaps a poker pro is a person who makes huge profits by playing poker. However, this is also inaccurate. Take, for instance, Jamie Gold. Prior to his record-breaking win of $12 million at the 2006 World Series of Poker, the guy barely new how the game is played. Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but despite nabbing such an attractive jackpot at the WSOP, Gold is largely not considered to be a poker professional.

In my opinion, the separating factor is the pros' attention to details. Simply put, most poker amateurs lack the ability to pay close attention to details which at first may seem unimportant. While the pros are constantly engaged in filing information on each and every of their opponents and on the gambling action that takes place at their tables, poker amateurs focus on on issues of no immediate value, such as how to nab the next WSOP bracelet. Additionally, amateurs are easily distracted by the sounds they happen to hear around them. Pros, however are completely fixed on the game.

A lot has already been said on the importance of tells. Players who know how to read whatever their opponents project have an incredible competitive advantage over others. Thus, while poker pros invest extra time in reading their opponents' behavior, amateurs are mostly preoccupied with their own hands. Once, when staying with my family in Vegas, I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Annie Duke in action. Frankly, I do not remember which casino it was at (because that they I visited many of them on the Strip), but what I do remember is how amazing she was. Her eyes were concentrated on the cards. She was examining the body and faces of her poker foes. No wonder she's considered one of the best tell spotting players in the industry!

So, what do we actually learn from this? Well, the way I see it, it takes time to become a pro. And, it's all about paying attention, folks!