I have really enjoyed reading the posts in this forum over the past couple months. The insights and strategies have helped me become a better player. Since returning from Las Vegas I've been trying to stay in the groove by playing online NL holdem games. My goal is to take my game to the next level by playing percentages, understanding odds, etc. I know the dynamics are different in "simulation" games because people are not playing with real money. In a way its been fun because you can encounter wild players in live games and this too is a skill to learn.

Last evening I was playing online ($2/$4 NL) and trying to limp into some pots with hands lower than my range to see some flops. I could tell the other players were decent because they did not allow limping. I soon learned I would have to play tighter or be bled to death. At one point I had the following cards in consecutive hands. , , and . In the first hand (BB) the flop was non spades and all low cards. I checked and there was a $12 bet and 2 calls before it came back to me. I folded. In the second hand (SB) the flop showed low cards with a pair of eights. I checked and there were 2 bets and a raise before it got back to me. I folded. In the third hand on the button the flop had an A and K. This time two $8 bets and I called. Turn was a no helper and there was a bet and raise. I folded. Because of position I could have made a run at the third hand but sensed it was time to get out. I read a lot about the risk of being married to your hand because its in your range. Is folding the right move in these situations?

You did not indicate what the pre-flop action was as well as your position.

From your description, it appears that in the first hand you were the first to bet into what appears to be a dry board. Since I don't know who was the aggressor pre-flop, but if you were, a continuation bet might have been the better play.

In the second hand, I think that a bet on the flop would have been the better play. Given that you checked and that you going to be out of position for the entire hand, a crying fold was probably ok.

On the third hand, with a flop containing both an Ace and a King, I think that a fold on the flop might have been better.