Recently, i've been noticing that I give my opponents way too much credit for their bets. Basically, it seemed that I wanted them to have a better hand so I could fold. So I start to really examine what they would have bet so much with and giving myself more credit for what I hold. Here are a few examples of what happens when I make a correct read:

I'm just going to get to the point here, early in a tournament. Blinds 20/40.

Dealt to Hero [Ac Jc]
Hero raises to 120
Villian calls 120
*** FLOP *** [Ks 5d Ad]
Hero bets 200
Villian raises to 900
Hero has 15 seconds left to act
Hero raises to 1,295, and is all in
Villian calls 395
Hero shows [Ac Jc]
Villian shows [Kc 4h]
*** TURN *** [Ks 5d Ad] [8d]
*** RIVER *** [Ks 5d Ad 8d] [4c]
Hero shows a pair of Aces
Villian shows two pair, Kings and Fours
Villian wins the pot (2,890) with two pair, Kings and Fours

Blinds are 15/30 on this one.

Dealt to Hero [8c 8s]
Villian raises to 105
Hero calls 105
*** FLOP *** [2h 4h Jd]
Villian bets 1,395, and is all in
Hero calls 1,380, and is all in
Villian shows [4d Kc]
Hero shows [8c 8s]
Uncalled bet of 15 returned to Villian
*** TURN *** [2h 4h Jd] [As]
*** RIVER *** [2h 4h Jd As] [Kh]
Villian shows two pair, Kings and Fours
Hero shows a pair of Eights
Villian wins the pot (3,015) with two pair, Kings and Fours


It's odd that is just so happened to be the exact same hand too. The resoning behind me calling in both of the hands was because their betting made absolutely no sense what so ever. Of course I am punished for making the wrong call. Oh well, thats poker. Anyway, I have a few questions.

1. I constantly think everyone has the best hand unless of course I have the nuts. What can I do to change this mindset?

2. In cases like the above hands, was it right to make the calls?

Any help will be great. Thanks.


-aytopper