2 confusing hands 50NL

I probably played these like shit. No reads in either hand unfortunately. Just started up the tables:

1.check his preflop raise size. Don't know what to think of it. I was going for the c/r on flop because I figure his preflop raise size meant he hit this flop with like AK or AA. I most likely should have bet turn more.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($50)
UTG ($42.20)
MP ($101.75)
CO ($262.85)
Button ($49.25)
SB ($47.75)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Thttp://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...miles/club.gif, Thttp://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...es/diamond.gif.
1 fold, MP raises to $4, 3 folds, Hero calls $3.50.

Flop: ($8.25) 2http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...es/diamond.gif, Khttp://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...iles/spade.gif, Thttp://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...iles/spade.gif (2 players)
Hero checks, MP checks.

Turn: ($8.25) Jhttp://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...es/diamond.gif (2 players)
Hero bets $5.5, MP calls $5.50.

River: ($19.25) Ahttp://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...iles/heart.gif (2 players)
Hero checks with the intention of calling almost any bet?


2. I bet turn smallish because I think a smaller bet encourages any worse hand to call and if he chooses to raise me I can get away pretty cheaply. He instantly bets pot.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

Hero ($50)
UTG ($56.40)
MP ($17)
CO ($52.45)
Button ($77.10)
SB ($14)

Preflop: Hero is BB with http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/.../smiles/8d.gif, http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/.../smiles/5h.gif.
UTG calls $0.50, MP calls $0.50, 2 folds, SB completes, Hero checks.

Flop: ($2) http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/.../smiles/7h.gif, http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/.../smiles/8s.gif, http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/.../smiles/4d.gif (4 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.5, UTG folds, MP calls $1.50, SB folds.

Turn: ($5) http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/.../smiles/3h.gif (2 players)
Hero bets $2.5, MP calls $2.50.

River: ($10) http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/.../smiles/qc.gif (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $10, Hero calls $10.

Final Pot: $30

1) bet/bet/bet with intention of getting it in on any street. maybe villain thought he was playing 100nl and typed in $4, who knows.
2)i prefer betting turn a little harder and a blocker on river.

In hand 1 the river is an easy bet because so many hands are checking behind at this level.

hand 1: def. bet/bet/bet. as played and given your reasoning i think the river play is fine. I do expect most hands check behind here but i dont think many hands you beat are calling a bet anyways

hand 2: bet $3.50 on the turn and block river for 1/3-1/2 pot if it makes it there.

I think I like a check in hand 2 on the turn.