I agree that I got in with the best hand and my opponent just got lucky at the river. If I played only when I had no chance of losing or the nuts only, I probably would not play much or win much. As always your answer comes at a good time. I was starting to question my self. I should always analyze my playing but there is a case where you can over analyze a hand.

I agree that I got in with the best hand and my opponent just got lucky at the river. If I played only when I had no chance of losing or the nuts only, I probably would not play much or win much. As always your answer comes at a good time. I was starting to question my self. I should always analyze my playing but there is a case where you can over analyze a hand.

When you start playing to minimize your losses “just in case he hits his magic card” you're making an -EV choice. If you know someone is willing to keep calling with a horrible draw and you've already put money in with what you think is the best hand, why would you not want to keep betting? Poker is about making your opponents make mistakes..

Just an example from my last 75000 hands or so.
http://x47.xanga.com/6f6f5273d8030260409261/b20...
AA is way out in front. If AA only won small pots and lost large pots eventually wouldn't it be losing money?

Again, thinking “oh no he might call with a worse hand” just makes no sense to me. If you're playing with a proper bankroll then you should always be pushing your edges and not being results oriented. You played your aces fine and your opponent got lucky, I think in this case that's as simple as it can get.