The fold as a weapon

[IbrakeFORrivers]

I was watching my friend play $5/$10 the other day. (Don't worry, this post relates to small stakes NL)

He was small-stacked (about $350), and was manipulating (so it seemed) large stack (about $1,500). He got dealt JJ, the flop was 2 K K, then rag rag. Essentially, the "villian" had 2 2 and killed my friends J,K two pair with a full house. However the "villian" ended up taking my friend's stack. We both seriously misread his hand.

My point is, this guy got into a lot of pots, took a LOT of jabs, won some pots, etc. Got an image as a bully with not that big of a bite, then very effectively slowplayed the monster hand he had, and then won big.

I think after watching this, and recently losing a lot on the microlimits ($.05/$.10 NL PokerStars), I realize that the fold is a VASTLY UNDERRATED aspect of a good NL player's repertoire. Along with knowing when to make a good call, despite the fact that you know you've lost. Along with advertising.

I am extremely humbled....and have tons to learn... OF course I kind of knew this, but... well... I'm human and am prone to getting cocky at times....

What are your guys/girls stories/advice re: the fold? Can you affirm the power of a good fold? Is it hard for you to do?