It gets harder and harder to win by simply playing the best starting hands. You need to make thin value bets. You need to induce bluffs. You need to semi-bluff effectively, you need to bluff effectively. You need to know when to check raise top pair and when to lead out. In summary subtle post flop plays are just as important as hand selection, and more so at higher limits. At .50/$1 not everyone knows that Q7o is a losing hand. As you go up in limits, people realize its garbage and you need to find your edge from somewhere besides NOT playing the garbage they play. Here is a play I made today that I think is a good example.
Party Poker 10/20 Hold'em (6 max, 5 handed)
Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
2 folds, Hero raises, SB 3-bets, 1 fold, Hero caps, SB calls.
Flop: (9 SB) , , (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, SB calls.
Turn: (5.50 BB) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks.
River: (5.50 BB) (2 players)
SB bets, Hero calls.
Final Pot: 7.50 BB
Results in white below:
SB has Qc Js (one pair, fours).
Hero has Ts Ah (two pair, aces and fours).
Outcome: Hero wins 7.50 BB.