We revised the concept of convective geothermal plays by analysing four case studies: Larderello and Mt. Amiata (Italy), The Geysers (USA), and Kizildere (Turkey). We suggest a classification based on the age and nature of the heat source and the related hydrothermal circulation, considering that the tectonic setting is not a discriminant parameter suitable for a classification. Finally we propose to distinguish the convective geothermal plays as volcanic, young intrusive and amagmatic.