To Be a Professional: The Oath

Published: November 7, 2019

Updated: February 4, 2020

What does it mean to be a professional poker player?

If I say I am a professional poker player, what does that mean to you? What would it take for you to consider yourself a professional poker player?

The word professional derives from “profession,” meaning a public declaration. Similarly, “to profess” means “to declare publicly” or “to take a vow.”

A professional is someone who has taken a vow or an oath.

Doctors must take the Hippocratic Oath. The oath has evolved since ancient Greece, but before you can practice medicine you must swear to:

• treat the sick as well as you can,
• respect your patients’ privacy, and most famously,
• do no harm.

Lawyers must take an oath in order to be admitted to the bar. The wording differs in different jurisdictions, but before you can practice law you must swear to:

• conduct yourself ethically,
• follow the law, and
• support the constitution.

There is no license to be a professional poker player. There is no official organization that will require you to take an oath. There is not even a standard oath to take.

You decide for yourself what vows / promises / oaths / commitments are required to make you a professional poker player.

For me, to be a professional I must vow to always have money to play poker. I cannot consider myself a professional poker player if I do not have money to play poker. I can make sure I always have money for poker because I know my bankroll requirements.

What else should be included in the oath of a professional poker player? Tell me what you think.