Quote Originally Posted by madurskim View Post
Thanks for all the advice. I guess I just have to grow some bigger balls when it comes to flops like this.
But one more question: If I should have raised the flop more in order to deny drawing odds.........that's not the same thing as trying to get him to fold? Or is this a situation w/r/t The Fundamental Theorem of Poker concept that every time that the villain makes a mistake, I benefit?
No. You bet enough to deny proper drawing odds and you hope that your opponent will make a mistake by calling with bad odds. That's how you benefit. If he folds, he plays correctly, so he makes no mistake and you don't profit (unless you were going to make huge mistakes on further streets, in which case you probably don't mind if he folds).

You have to read no limit theory and practice, it has really good sections about this and bet sizing. The idea on flops like these is that you have to bet enough not only just to deny proper drawing odds, but also enough to cover the mistakes YOU are likely to make on subsequent streets. For example, when you bet and your opponent calls and a flush card comes and he bets, you may mistakenly fold because he was bluffing, as he really was on a straight draw. You have to make him pay in advance for this possibility. Or when you are OOP, bet more because you are more likely to make mistakes OOP. Basically, make them pay the price now for your future potential mistakes.