As I've gained experience in this hobby, my tastes have sharpened considerably. I'm still open to exploring, but I know more clearly what to avoid.

The first factor is our sex drive which varies from person to person and from time to time.  

The second factor is our past experience.  At least for me getting into this, the first encounters were great just because it was all new.  In retrospect after several encounters, we'd probably re-score those first encounters based on the varying skills and personality of the provider.   Looking back there are certain providers we would gladly visit again and some that weren't so hot.  It's a matter of comparison.  

So over time we might lose some natural sex drive, and also start to be more discriminating in choices based on lessons learned.  

which is to say, that I find my attraction and performance is predicated upon chemistry between the provider and myself.

Thus, I pick and stay with gals who turn me on, and this often has little to do with age and looks.  As for performance, as long as they are congenial and willing to be sexual in someway, I can get off still.

 
The biggest problem is down time between pops, but I've always loved massage and cuddling, so those fill in the time gaps very well.

or 3 providers new to me in a year. I have several ladies who I continue to repeat with because the experience is just off the charts. You never know when someone is going to retire or move away so I think it is important to always have a plan B available.

I just don't get as much "free time" these days to P4P as much as I'd like. If the opportunity arises, then I will play.

It depends on what you mean by exceptional. Like you said, each guy's exceptional is different. There are two types of ladies who can still do it for me. They are exceptional in that they can get me charged up. At this point that criteria is taking a greater precedence than any criteria of old. I don't think that's picky. It's simply adjusting to ever changing needs, and preferences in what's a turn on.  

It's a rare event anymore, but sometimes I wake up horny. In that event, many different ladies will do nicely. But 95% of the time I go for my two types.

if you haven't become more selective in all your decisions as you age, then what the hell good does experience do for you?  Experience is what tells you " I'm never again eating sushi from a gas station"   or " I know now not to put a screwdriver in the electric outlet to see if it's hot"  

Great post & very interesting replies.

Thank you for sharing gentlemen!

Its been an evolution for sure.  At the beginning was looking for the low hanging fruit, variety.  Once I felt secure secure in my access to a variety of women, which took about 5 years, I got more comfortable repeating.  

Repeating was great, setup was very easy, I learned a lot about what type of woman, physically, I really liked.  I would still read the boards and mix it up with some new ladies.  Some worked out great, there were some "experiences" in there as well.  

Lately, been interested in being more present, connected.  Tantric? Soul fucking? Looking the next level of intensity.

I've for sure become more selective in who I choose to see, which is the evolution of homing in on what it really is that I'm seeking in a date.  Being a TER member has sure helped that process along (the value of reviews).  I've hit some bulls eyes (the chemistry thing), which has been my catalyst for no longer being random with choices (little head rarely gets the final say anymore).  Sometimes the chemistry is sustaining and has led to many many repeat visits, sometimes not so many as the chemistry wanes over time.      

It's a very interesting question and I think it is particularly applicable to older guys.  The reason I say this is that as we get older and aren't as quick on the trigger as we used to be, secondary stimuli become increasingly important, at least for me.  And the principal secondary stimulus, as far as I'm concerned, is physical attractiveness.  When you're younger it's easier to soldier your way through when the mate isn't lovely.  When you're older it's more difficult.

Fairly recently I had an encounter with a gal in Chicago who was rated a "7" in appearance and "9" in performance per TER.  Well, her skills were excellent, but as for attractiveness, I can only say that she was not attractive at all - the problem, which seems to be increasingly prevalent, was obesity, which I find terribly difficult to cope with.  And her feet were like those of a peasant who had spent too much time in a potato field.  The result was that, in that instance, I couldn't make it to the finish line.  

What is "attractive" will, of course, differ from person to person.  For me, I like a mature provider who's tight and toned.  A mature gal who has the discipline to take care of herself can be super sexy, which helps us cross that finish line!

I've been rather picky/selective, since I first started hobbying so I really haven't changed much over the years.  Although, I tend to search for providers who prefer the company of us older guys, since I've reached "senior citizen" status. LOL   I'm also rather sporadic when it comes to how often I see providers, since when I'm traveling, I tend to hobby more than when I'm at home.

...as knowing better what I like and what I don't want, or be willing to "put up with" kinda stuff.

I look for reasons NOT to see a prospective provider, once she's caught my attention and seems like she could be a potential playmate. So in researching reviews, board discussions, any local board activity, etc., I get a better feel for our suitability.

As I get older, the bar gets higher.

... sometimes the chemistry is just better.  I have to think back a long way to remember a poor encounter. As I get older I find I'm more attracted to ladies with some life experience.

And I simply thought the talent pool was declining

I started this about 9  and a half years ago.  Feels like there are less girls that I would consider.  Pickier or just laser focused??  I don't know.  I visit Houston often and have for years.  There is only one girl that I would see there.  When I do go now, I look to see if there's a hot visiting lady, or go out to a civvie club or strip club.
Just don't know anymore!!

... than I did when I started what I'm looking for in a provider.  It took me about six months of experimentation, and improving my screening skills, to find the perfect fit. And that provider is still my ATF.  I've met other exceptional providers over the years, but some of them have retired.  So I have a very small number of favs whom I see regularly, and only see someone new if someone pops up who looks like a good fit.  I guess you could say I've been spoiled.  

My story is just all fucked up.  Years ago I could finish with any female. But now days at my advanced age 77.  It seems like the only ones I can finish with are the overweight, ugly one's..   Every time I go see a beautiful young hard bodied girl I strike  out.  It's not that they do anything wrong, it's all on me and I think it's a mental thing. So far they all have been very nice to me and understand my ED problem. Of course I never tell them that I can still cum with the other kind of ladies.  
One of these great ladies I have been seeing since I started this hobby at 69, she's hot, beautiful, hard body, and in great shape, I've seen her once a month but all of a sudden after about 5 years I just couldn't finish with her, haven't been able to since but I still see her regularly and still have a great time.  I guess as long as she get's paid she will just go on treating me like a stud.  She still makes me feel like one, finishing or not.