Been playing poker for a while. It's not a full time gig. I just enjoy it and it's an awesome way to make "play money". I play 2 5nl with the occasional 5 10 shots when 2 5 sessions have been extremely profitable. I've been a winning player for like 2yrs. Coming up on retirement from my job as a corrections officer and would love for poker to be that nice lil transition to help provide a nice lil supplemental income to my retirement. I've always considered my hand reading as the weakest part of my game. I'd like to get better by the time I retire in the next 8yrs.

I understand there are different variables and player types that plays in to narrowing down hand ranges, but what are some helpful tips to help me along the way? My goal is to be playing 5 10 exclusively by the time I retire

Start by looking at each action a player makes, then think what hands they would have done something with. Then look at the next action, and narrow things down further. Do it step by step and look at what is consistent with all the actions they've made, and you should be able to get a fairly narrow range of what someone has

This is great advice! But aggressive play can look like the nuts!! When in fact they could be on a huge draw/bluff!! I understand knowing player types help but it's just a difficult task when you're checked raised on the flop and bombed on turn and realizing then you're in a commitment decision of either folding turn or going all in cause he's not slowing down. Aggressive play will have you feeling beat everytime

But, you example seems to not include hand reading, just reacting to the action. How loose/tight is villain preflop?

Hand reading starts with assessing player tendencies. For example, when a player seems to do this frequently, you can't always assume a strong hand. How does the preflop action combined with the flop texture fit the range of hands his/her preflop action suggested?

Your hand reading starts as soon as you sit at the table. Pay attention when you're not in a hand. That's where you get the data you need when you are in a hand.

How would you play the hands instead of him? If you know how you would play it and the guy plays that hand differently, it might be a helpful read for you.