Each and every no limit hold'em player has his idea of what separates average players from great players. But believe me what really makes a difference in your no limit game is not the hands you play with, nor correct betting strategy and not even your reads. Many discussions have come and gone and all truly great players have one answer. In no limit the key to being truly great is being able to bluff on the turn and river.

When players play positive expectation on bluffs is the key to being a winning player in no limit. This is such a huge part of the earn in no limit. Lets take a look at why. When you win a bluff on the turn or the river 100 percent of the money in the pot is yours minus the cost from the costs of the bluff. Yes sometimes you bluff will fail. Most players do not know they can bluff for various amounts sometimes even 1/3 the pot will suffice. Everyone makes the same bet. But remember when bluffing only a bet the opponent will not call is sufficient. This is what makes no limit so great a game.

Options are the key. When you play you must really concentrate in nl as the bluffing opportunities come rarely. When you miss one of these this can be you whole earn for the whole day. Many truly great players will say I am trying to get into this guys head. When the top players say this they mean I want to get into their head so I know when it is a great time to bluff them. Not so easy I think but work at it.

Keep records of your bluffs. Minus them against the costs to bluff. Only then will you be able to see how you are progressing in no limit. Remember not only cards make great players.

There's a lot that separates great players from the rest. But the main key is willingness to learn and constantly improve, wether you win or lose in a game you play. Another important thing is understanding luck and variance, tilt, and bankroll management.
Bluffing is just one of several vital points in playing profitable No limit hold em.

You are right a player who never constantly up dates his game falls behind. You see it every day in the card rooms all over the world players who do not improve sit there and play tighter and tighter thinking that something is wrong with their game eventually they go broke. Thanks

Great NL players can play consistently well and win regularly. Occasionally you'll see someone luck out in a hand or get lucky in a tournament, but the really good NL players can consistently add to their bankroll on cash tables and consistently get into the money in tournaments. They know when they need to change their game when they are up against different styles of players. Players like Danial Negreanu and Phil Ivey stand out as great NL players.