For most poker players, it took years to develop their craft.  Learning to play the cards and win even when dealt a weak hand is the mark of the pro poker player, the rare individual that can make a full time living from simply playing cards.  While many people can say that they have accomplished the abilities and skills necessary to exist by playing cards, some of these people are literally tricksters and hucksters,  that leave little to be respected about their play style or the way they generate their competitions.  Hustling rubes at small town dives is one way to earn money.  But it is less than popular and less than respectable from the point of view of most pro poker players.

The professional poker player refers to the individual who can win playing regularly against other players of his caliber and still remain on top.  Whether playing for large stakes or low limits, the pro poker player knows when to play big and win to stay low.  This slow, consistent and patient methodology is what provides the full-time pro player the ability to compete in events like the World Series of poker tournament in Las Vegas as well as other lesser-known events and come out when it on a regular basis.  While many players can win, it is hard to stay winning and keep winning when the competition includes powerhouses and skilled players.

This ability to stand up to powerhouses and skilled opponents literally defines a professional player.  The professional poker player knows a lot more about when not to play than when to play.  This ability to grow cold and prevent one self from hemorrhaging money into the pot is critical to the long-term success of the professional poker player.  Playing for the types of limits that the pros play for can lead to extreme problems in maintaining a bankroll, the professional poker player is very aware of this situation and never risks too much and never goes in the hole too far.

After studying a multitude of professional poker players, you will find that while all of their play styles vary wildly, the one thing that the pros in common is knowing when to back off and not beat a hand to death.  The path to success is littered with the shattered survivors who have attempted to become professional players and been wiped out.

Just being able to play poker isn't enough.  The pro player has to know when to stop playing.