First of all I want to say thanks for all the replys and advice. The reason I posted this hand was because I know I really messed it up and it would be a good learning situation. It wouldn't do me much good to post hands where I raked a 50 dollar pot (Thats big for me). Overall, I don't think the pre flop raise was that bad given the table. The check on the flop and weak play afterwards did not allow me to define my hand and is what lost the pot. Oh well, it is just one hand, and trust me, I am doing fine. Thanks for all the advice and look forward to some other interesting hands from me in the future... hopefully that I win.