Professional poker players make up a large part of the gambling subculture and some are defying the gambler’s negative stereotype. The majority of the literature in the gambling field has focused on pathological gambling and little information exists regarding successful professionals. This study examined the characteristics that lead to successful poker playing by professional poker players known to compete at the mid to upper levels in their field. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand more fully the experience of professional poker players and the characteristics that aid their success. Research participants consisted of eight professional poker players (4 males and 4 females) who were interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. Interviews were transcribed and then analyzed for emergent themes using the constant comparative method. Seven categories and their themes with regard to the characteristics of professional poker players were revealed. Additional characteristics emerged from the data that reveal characteristics that not only separate successful players from unsuccessful players; they signify the qualities that players believe insure success. Participants expressed that success comes from leading a focused and disciplined life and work. This mind-set and behavior enables them to be psychological sound and best able to regulate stress, adversity, and even excitement. The personal characteristics that professional poker players possess in order to move up the ladder of accomplishment and maintain continual success were many. The results of this study with professional poker players reveal characteristics that not only separate successful players from unsuccessful players; they signify the qualities that players believe insure success. Conclusions from this study have several important implications for subsequent research on professional poker players, as well as for gamblers in general. This population of special individuals has both innate and learned characteristics that deserve further attention.