This may be a dumb question, but what is the main difference between a regular, semi-pro, and pro play? How does one turn pro? Thanks

Quitting your day job and paying for your own insurance.

A semi-pro player is one that has a 'mainstream' job, but plays poker on the side well enough to consistently win an amount of money that has a significant impact on their lifestyle. In my opinion, semi-pros are often capable of going pro, but may not want to because of 'the grind', investment in previous career path, enjoyment of 'real life' job, etc. etc.

A pro is simply someone whose main income stream is from poker and poker-related activities.

The rest of the crowd are hobbyists or enthusiasts.. 'Amateur' has negative connotations, and so is not used as it is in other sports.

If you're talking about 'plays' rather than 'players', then

* There is no such thing as a 'semi pro play' in my opinion.

* There is such thing 'amateur' play, which is dependent on the particular move or playing profile, e.g. 'fishiness', 'chasing', 'station' etc.

* A 'pro play' is very subjective. A move that a pro makes can send TV commentators into a tailspin of hyperbole, but should an amateur perpetrate the same move it might be labelled 'fishy'. Usually the difference is that a pro will have a very sound reason for making a play, even if it doesn't work. A pro (or semi-pro) can make a seemingly bad decision based on information gleaned through experience, perception and style.

Others may have different opinions on these definitions.

People have different definitions, but these are what I use.

Pro....poker is your only job. You are making enough money to pay your bills soley by playing poker. There are many more pros nowdays because of the internet and even though they may not be rich, they are still making enough to pay their bills.

Semi-pro- you are making enough mone playing poker that you could quit your job and play for a living of you wanted to. Normally this would mean you are making as much or more per hour as you do at your real job, even though you may not be making all that much because you are only playing 5-15 hours per week. There are many more if these people am this group includes me. I could quit and play for a living because I make close to double playing poker (per hour) as I do at my job, but I like my job, and get paid fairly well and I have great benefits/pension.

I'd like to change my answer to what tetsuo said.