[tek]

You are exactly right. In your two examples, I would be up against many possible hands. If you reraise to define your hand (top pair mediocre kicker) and get reraised or even called, then you have blown some chips on a marginal hand. The A9 is a hand I would fold right away in your two examples.

"When you say "hit" do you mean trips, 2 pair, monster draw (nut flush and open ended nut straight)?"

Yes again.

The thing about NL cash games is it gives you the best of everything.

Very cheap blinds that do not increase and no timed rounds as a tournament would have. You can bet when you have the best of it and make ~$ compared to limited betting in limit games. And just like limit games, you have a finite buy-in.

Therefore, I don't believe it is logical to gamble on marginal and risky hands as you may have to do in limit games or when short-stacked in a tourny.

I could have a tee-shirt with my NL game plan on it and still get action with the best hand. Dan Harrington could sit at small to mid stakes NL and get action!

The reason is the same as why we rubberneck at car accidents. We can't help it. And the fish can't help giving action even when they know they are beat.

I lose count each night how many times guys say "Well, sir I know I'm beat but I have to call ya". Have to??

Last night I hadn't played one hand for maybe 35 minutes. I also hadn't said squat at the table (like Phil Ivey). So, I call a bet and the beter says "Oh Oh, the quietist guy at the table is calling. That scares the shjt out of me". And he was serious. It may have scared others too, but not enough to preclude 6 out of 9 players to see the flop.

"I'm just trying to get a better feel for when you really start to bet hard."

As soon as I have the best hand based on my pocket cards and the board.