vq - thanks for that, it makes complete sense and i guess the key word here is 'fear' - i'm getting past the initial 'betting with nothing after raising pf' fear and that does often take the pot. it's getting called then when i have nothing and especially if the boards are the sort i've mentioned above - then i feel like i'm wandering around in the dark a bit if you know what i mean?

on that point, sed - you say calling is not resistance - that's interesting - i'm probably more on the defensive in most cases if someone calls than if they (re-)raise me... perhaps it's the experience (or lack of it so far) and the players at $25NL. i guess i feel like i know where i am more with a raise/reraise - they either have something or they're trying to steal is what i tend to see that as but a call doesn't help me so much. are they drawing, trapping, sitting on a moderate hand hoping i have nothing / less than they do...

does the level of the game stake matter as much as i think it does? ie: are the plays i'm seeing at $25NL similar to those in higher stakes? just trying to work out if i'm giving people too much credit and out-thinking myself sometimes?

thanks again for the replies - helping to broaden my view on this.