Bad beats or I stink?

Here are two games at Pacific Poker .05/.10. I have to write the hand histories since they only offer video playback of HH.

8h8c
preflop -- call BB
flop -- 10d9h6s, call .10 bet
turn -- 8s, bet .80, player raises to $3, I call
river 4h -- I bet $3 he raises to $5 I call
I lose with 8 trips to a straight 8-Q (JQ)

QsQc
preflop -- raise .20 to .50
flop -- Q910 bet $1, called
turn -- 4 bet $3, called
river -- 6 bet $5, called
I lose, he shows straight 9-K.

Do I suck at poker or was this a bad beat?

1st one, the raise on the turn would have me concerned, the raise on the river would tell me I'm beat.

2nd one, tough break - just be thankful that you didn't lose more (assuming it was him, not you, calling behind on every street)

You were behind to the straight by the time you started putting big money in. This is not a bad beat.

Bad beat is defined as being ahead when the bulk of the money goes in.

Originally Posted by EricE

Bad beat is defined as being ahead when the bulk of the money goes in.

Like this ....

PokerRoom No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

CO ($14.40)
Button ($23.75)
SB ($28.45)
BB ($22.95)
UTG ($24.35)
UTG+1 ($37.70)
MP1 (Villain)/ ($12.50)
Hero ($29.35)
MP3 ($15.05)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , .
UTG calls $0.25, 1 fold, MP1 (Villain) raises to $1, Hero calls $1, 5 folds, UTG folds.

Flop: ($2.65) , , (2 players)
Villain bets $11.5 (All-In), Hero calls $11.50.

Turn: ($25.65) (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($25.65) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $25.65

Results in white below:
Villain has Jd Js (full house, jacks full of kings).
Hero has As Kh (three of a kind, kings).
Outcome: Villain wins $25.65.