Need help maximizing value

[djoyce003]

Couple of hands here where I think I horribly failed to maximize value. Comments on all streets appreciated.

First hand, the villian in this is a moderately reasonable player. The standard raise to get people out of the hand on this table was $10....anything less, and you were likely to get about 7 callers. I Would have been happy picking up the blinds.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 5 handed) converter (http://www.selachian.com/tools/bisonconverter/hhconverter.cgi)

MP ($100)
Hero ($389.98)
SB ($370.1)
BB ($277.84)
UTG ($50.9)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 8/images/graemlins/spade.gif, A/images/graemlins/spade.gif. SB posts a blind of $1.
UTG folds, MP calls $2, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $10</font>, SB (poster) folds, BB folds, MP calls $8.

Flop: ($23) 4/images/graemlins/spade.gif, K/images/graemlins/spade.gif, 2/images/graemlins/spade.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
MP checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $2</font>, MP calls $2.

Turn: ($27) 9/images/graemlins/diamond.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
MP checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $9</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $25</font>, Hero calls $16.

River: ($77) 5/images/graemlins/spade.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
MP checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $45</font>, MP folds.

Final Pot: $122

Second hand....one of the villains is reasonable, the other is 76% vpip and about 55% pfr. The one who leads out after the flop is the 76/55 and he ALWAYS bets out. He also basically raises any 2.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ Hero (6 max, 6 handed) converter (http://www.selachian.com/tools/bisonconverter/hhconverter.cgi)

SB ($180.9)
Hero ($396.98)
UTG ($366.1)
MP ($271.14)
CO ($188.65)
Button ($31.6)

Preflop: Hero is BB with T/images/graemlins/club.gif, K/images/graemlins/club.gif. SB posts a blind of $1.
UTG folds, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $4</font>, CO folds, Button folds, SB (poster) calls $3, Hero calls $2.

Flop: ($12) 3/images/graemlins/heart.gif, K/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, K/images/graemlins/spade.gif <font color="#0000FF">(3 players)</font>
SB checks, Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP bets $8</font>, SB calls $8, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $25</font>, MP folds, SB folds.

Final Pot: $53

On the second hand, I really think I should have just called, and let the villain bluff at it again. At the time I thought i'd get a call, but there is no way anyone calls this unless they probably have a better hand than me...is my thinking correct?

[krazyace5]

Hand #1, hate the preflop raise but the flop makes you look like a genius. Raise more on the flop, reraise on the turn.


Hand#2 would of folded preflop, you needed to make sure no one had a K with a better kicker on the flop, looks like the reraise worked.

[edge]

Hand 1 preflop is fine, but what are you doing on the flop? If you're going to bet, bet a normal amount (around 17-18?). Checking is ok in this instance, since you're holding the nut flush. With a baby flush I bet this almost every time. You make a tiny bet on the turn again. Don't you think this is going to arouse some suspicion in a "moderately reasonable player"? Bet a standard amount or don't bother betting at all.

[krazyace5]

I must be playing tighter than I thought, A8 suited is worth a $10 raise in mid position?

[djoyce003]

I don't normally raise this, but this table was full of loose callers and I had a moderate chance to get someone's entire stack if I hit, which I did.

[Caruso329]

I see you're using the "if I hit with this hand, I'll surely take all their money" philosophy. My advice is don't. This is a major leak that needs to be plugged, you can still get all their money when you have premium hands that you know are ahead of them preflop and postflop, you just have to be patient.

[djoyce003]

You are probably right. I will tighten up my play a bit...luckily I got away with it last night.