First off, this is long...sorry about that and thanks for looking at this all if you do.

So I recently tried playing the 5NL tables on stars moving up from 2NL. I had read that at these low limits that there isn't much difference between the average skill level of the players, but it was more of an issue of BR.

After a wildly successful first session or two, I've come to realize these games aren't quite the same. It seems that people are playing "better" poker, though I'm sure they are all fish to those who are actually good players.

What I've found first, is that people are tighter preflop. I never had a problem finding 2NL tables with players/pot 50%-60%+, at 5NL most tables are in the 30%-40% range, with only a few being higher. I also found that I'm far less likely to keep getting called down with weak hands.

Obviously this level is going to be beatable, but it seems that it's going to require some adjustments to how I was playing (and destroying) 2NL.

What has happened though, is that I'm becoming gun shy. It seems like every time that someone calls my bets through the turn, that I have a hard time betting on the river, expecting the other guy to have me beat.

I'd like to chalk up any losses to the bad side of variance, but at the same time, if I'm playing bad, I don't want to wait to fix it.

I'd like to post a few hands I've had trouble with. Some of these I continued to bet and got beat, some I bet and won, and others I folded, though it felt weak to do so.

I'm pulling these out of PT, so I don't remember much what my reads were at the time, so assume no reads.

Hand #1: I tried to avoid giving him the odds to draw for the flush, but I'm worried that he drew out on me anyhow. I know if thats the case, note that he pays too much for draws, but for this hand, do I freeze up here and just take whats in the pot already if he didn't draw out? This would also protect me from too much damage from 2pair or a set. He hasn't shown any real strength, so I might still be good, but it seems people here like to call with good hands instead of betting them.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Button ($2.52)
SB ($3.55)
Hero ($6.07)
UTG ($2.51)
UTG+1 ($3.79)
MP1 ($1.95)
MP2 ($3.13)
MP3 ($6.40)
CO ($10.22)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A, Q.
5 folds, CO calls $0.05, Button calls $0.05, SB completes, Hero raises to $0.15, CO calls $0.10, Button calls $0.10, SB calls $0.10.

Flop: ($0.60) 3, 5, Q (4 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.45, CO calls $0.45, Button calls $0.45, SB folds.

Turn: ($1.95) 8 (3 players)
Hero bets $1.5, CO calls $1.50, Button folds.

River: ($4.95) 9 (2 players)
Hero ???
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Hand #2: I can't put a read on this guy. What do you guys think he has and how would you act? Again, I didn't give him good odds to draw for flush, so that SHOULDN'T be what he's playing...I just don't know.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

UTG+1 ($10.12)
MP1 ($4.31)
Hero ($6)
CO ($13.89)
Button ($4.91)
SB ($6.55)
BB ($2.95)
UTG ($3.91)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , .
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.15, 2 folds, SB calls $0.13, 1 fold.

Flop: ($0.35) , , (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.3, SB calls $0.30.

Turn: ($0.95) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1, SB calls $1.

River: ($2.95) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero ???
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Hand #3: A Straight could have gotten there on the turn, but I don't consider it likely. My first thought here was to push, because the size of my stack wouldn't allow a threatening bet here AND on the river. I figured I might be able to take the pot down right here, but I hate pushing w/ only TPTK. What to do?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

MP1 ($10)
MP2 ($7.18)
Hero ($4.73)
Button ($4.87)
SB ($15.80)
BB ($4.98)
UTG ($6.65)
UTG+1 ($3.91)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , .
UTG calls $0.05, 2 folds, MP2 raises to $0.15, Hero raises to $0.35, Button calls $0.35, 2 folds, UTG folds, MP2 calls $0.20.

Flop: ($1.17) , , (3 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets $1, Button calls $1, MP2 calls $1.

Turn: ($4.17) (3 players)
MP2 checks, Hero ???
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Hand #4: Should I be too worried that he has a Q and is slowplaying it, or do I bet my top set again on the river? He could have a backdoor flush, but I'm not too worried about that...should I be?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

Button ($10.51)
SB ($7.97)
BB ($12.26)
UTG ($4.65)
Hero ($6.15)
MP1 ($3.73)
MP2 ($7.49)
MP3 ($0.33)
CO ($7.05)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with , .
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.15, 6 folds, BB calls $0.10.

Flop: ($0.32) , , (2 players)
BB bets $0.2, Hero calls $0.20.

Turn: ($0.72) (2 players)
BB bets $0.15, Hero raises to $1, BB calls $0.85.

River: ($2.72) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero ???
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Hand #5 (and final hand for now): I've got the feeling, though no specific read, that this player has the other 10. AA, KK, and QQ also still have me beat. What do you put this player on, and do you cry&call or cry&fold?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

Hero ($6.62)
MP2 ($5.43)
MP3 ($4.62)
CO ($5.73)
Button ($6.97)
SB ($3.70)
BB ($3.07)
UTG ($2.57)
UTG+1 ($3)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , .
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.15, 3 folds, Button calls $0.15, 2 folds.

Flop: ($0.37) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $0.35, Button raises to $0.7, Hero calls $0.35.

Turn: ($1.77) (2 players)
Hero bets $1, Button calls $1.

River: ($3.77) (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets $5.12 (All-In), Hero ???