Quote Originally Posted by LawDude
Without getting into all sorts of specifics, it important... to bet to protect your made hands.
Your post was absolutely spot on, but I'd just like to mention I hate describing betting with a made hand as "protecting" it. As if you WANT them to fold.

I've seen a lot of guys at live games overbet a drawy flop with a made hand and then breathe a sigh of relief when their opponent folds. It's not a good mindset. You WANT them to call a bet that lays bad odds. It offers them a move that is negative Expected Value (Folding = 0). You should be begging them to call a large bet with a draw.

You're not "protecting" a hand, hoping against hope that they fold and spare you a scary turn card. You're laying a bear trap and hoping the idiot takes a step in.