Reads, manipulaion (of image and opponents), precision (knowing exactly how to play each street), experience (instinct).

When you really start to think about what others are thinking of you and what you're doing and thinking, that's when you've made it.

It's a lot of little things. It's not one concrete obvious red flag. It's small improvement in all areas. For many people a lack of balls loses them a ton of money.

I was in a $20 multi table last night at the final table. I had about 2,800 chips. I limped into the small blind to complete the 200. The BB raised me to 750 to go. I have 76 suited and a tight image (important). As a beginner I would never dream of entering this pot, but my image was tight, and I felt I could outplay him if I felt he missed. It had nothing to do with what I had, though it had promise. I called and the flop came out K8Q rainbow. I totally missed. I checked and he bet 400 into a 1500 pot. I check raised him all in for a little over 2,000. he folded, I showed, and he tilted shortly thereafter. This is a situation you may have played differently.

Here's another. later on in the same tourney I caught QJs UTG. I decided to limp it, as the aggression wasn't too overpowering at the table, so if it got raised it's an easy fold. Sure enough I saw a flop without a problem. It ended up being only the BB and myself. It came out 5 6 9. The BB bet 400 into a 900 pot (minimum bet). I called with two overs and a back door flush draw. I caught my Q on the turn. He led out for 1,100 into me. I thought about it and folded because it was a trap hand. He had 56 and had flopped two pair.

It's little things. I'd say the biggest thing that separates a good player from a great player is one word....

EMOTION