What makes someone an expert at poker?

[Mr. Curious]

The word "expert" is bandied about quite often and I am wondering what makes people consider others (or themselves) to be an "expert"? Some friends and I had a discussion where there were four levels:

Beginner
Advanced
Expert
Master

But we didn't really clarify the line between the four categories. So what do you think makes an expert and how big is the difference between each of the levels?

Note: This question occurred to me after reading GSIH again and Ed's comment that some people will think they are experts after having a couple of winning months.

[Mikey]

the word "expert" is thrown around frequently and its also in alot of books.

Nowadays everyone is an expert.

[4_2_it]

Beginner - Asks for advice, considers reading a book
Advanced - Reads 2+2 forum, gives bad advice, reads any book with poker in title ( example )
Expert - Gives good advice, reads the right books, worships at the alter of Sklansky
Master - Gives best advice, writes books that experts want to read

[Tailgunner]

Beginner - Thinks they suck.
Advanced - Thinks they're good.
Expert - Knows they suck.
Master - Knows they're good.

[Marlow]

[ QUOTE ]
Beginner - Thinks they suck.
Advanced - Thinks they're good.
Expert - Knows they suck.
Master - Knows they're good.

[/ QUOTE ]

VNH sir.

Marlow

[Mr. Curious]

[ QUOTE ]
Beginner - Thinks they suck.
Advanced - Thinks they're good.
Expert - Knows they suck.
Master - Knows they're good.

[/ QUOTE ]

While funny, it is too general as there are plenty of people who are not experts who know that they suck and plenty of beginners who think they are good.

[VoraciousReader]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Beginner - Thinks they suck.
Advanced - Thinks they're good.
Expert - Knows they suck.
Master - Knows they're good.

[/ QUOTE ]

While funny, it is too general as there are plenty of people who are not experts who know that they suck and plenty of beginners who think they are good.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, I can attest to that! I've been both. I'm currently the non-expert that knows I suck and I used to be the beginner that thought I was good. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I think it's thought process:

Beginner thinks "Poker is Easy."

Advanced thinks "Poker is Easy...if you play the right people."

Expert thinks "Poker is Hard...there's always more to learn. But look...I make lots of money at it."

Master thinks "Poker is Hard. But I've been learning and thinking about it for a long time...I could write a manual and make even more money at it."

Edit: I thought of another...semi-serious.

Beginner: Knows the cards he holds.
Advanced: Knows the cards he holds. Thinks about the cards you hold.
Expert: Thinks about the cards he holds. Thinks about the cards you hold.
Master: Thinks about the cards he holds. Knows the cards you hold.

[autobet]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Beginner - Thinks they suck.
Advanced - Thinks they're good.
Expert - Knows they suck.
Master - Knows they're good.

[/ QUOTE ]

While funny, it is too general as there are plenty of people who are not experts who know that they suck and plenty of beginners who think they are good.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, I can attest to that! I've been both. I'm currently the non-expert that knows I suck and I used to be the beginner that thought I was good. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I think it's thought process:

Beginner thinks "Poker is Easy."

Advanced thinks "Poker is Easy...if you play the right people."

Expert thinks "Poker is Hard...there's always more to learn. But look...I make lots of money at it."

Master thinks "Poker is Hard. But I've been learning and thinking about it for a long time...I could write a manual and make even more money at it."

Edit: I thought of another...semi-serious.

Beginner: Knows the cards he holds.
Advanced: Knows the cards he holds. Thinks about the cards you hold.
Expert: Thinks about the cards he holds. Thinks about the cards you hold.
Master: Thinks about the cards he holds. Knows the cards you hold.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wannabe Master: Thinks he knows the cards you hold.

[magates]

There's a large gap between beginner and advanced, you might want to include intermediate in there.

[Mr. Curious]

[ QUOTE ]
There's a large gap between beginner and advanced, you might want to include intermediate in there.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, but was unable to differentiate between them.

How would you do it?