If I believe that the play I am making is a +EV (positive expectation) play, I will make the play. I agree 110% about your thoughts about reads and how SO important they are. Reads are your best buddy.

I also agree with "small hand small pot". Don't build a big pot with a mediocre hand. Don't make it so big that you almost HAVE to call because its only $5 into a $25 pot already (at higher limits).

I am probably not NEAR 5,000 hands yet. I've only been playing online for roughly 2 months now, you've got me on amount of hands.

I'm not sure that I agree with "playing by your gut". Some people do this, and their gut is wrong more often than not. The best think you can do is get PokerStove (www.pokerstove.com) and as you're playing, try and put opps on hand ranges throughout and just input how your hand might do against theirs. If you're getting the right drawing odds, then you can play, if you aren't, figure out what implied odds you might get IF you hit your draw. Will the opp pay if you hit?

Reviewing your HHs is VERY crucial as well. As you review, do the same thing, try and pick out mistakes in your play and make sure you don't do it again. You're 5,000 hands deep, congrats on the 5k milestone, keep the hands going. As you play more and more, you'll see less mistakes as long as you stay dedicated in fixing your mistakes.

Goodluck in your endeavours and great discussion so far