No, that's not the difference. The best few are making better decisions than the rest. They see the table differently and have far more insight into managing the more intricate positions. They regularly see options that others overlook. Legendary player Jonny Ervolino once said of Efren Reyes that he "looked at a pool table and saw things that no player before him ever saw." It is every bit as true of a Filler or Gorst. Pool is both science and art. I think we are together in our sense that in the science part of the game, inclusive of execution skills, the differences at the top are small, but I feel that in the art part of the game, the differences can be huge.
As you indicate, belief in their decisions matters, but that's mostly mental game stuff, and I agree that it is critical. The shot clock is also relevant here. Some are not as effective when their decisions must be made with greater promptness, and it can get in the way of superior conceptualization.
To be honest, if I felt that there was little diversity in decision making skills in world championship level pro pool, I probably would not watch pro pool at all. Watching the many flavors of breaking the balls, pattern play, tactical reasoning, and general strategic orientation at the very top of the game is what makes the game interesting for me.
