I play 6max tables so not sure how helpfull this will be.
I like to play what are not really hands like K8 off and Q8 off at these tables because if you can see a flop for cheap you have a hand that can give you top pair.
I keep it simple like this.
Dont play them from ep, too risky.
Mp and definatly lp, get in the pot if its unrasied.
Never play with anything less than an 8 kicker. Safety margin. (maybe a seven if suited but be very careful)
Your aiming to take down the pot at the flop, thus bet the pot from any position. This looks like aggressive play and when i do it it gets respected. If its a fairly safe flop (no draws) and then draw cards come on the turn bet the pot again. I see very few hands like this go to the river, a turn pot bet looks very aggressive at the tables i play and ill know by then if im beat coz the reraisers like to strike at this point. If it gets to showdown, which is rare im normally winning if there are no river scare cards.
I think that this sort of play works for the simple fact its like stealing the blinds in tourney play. You are using marginal hands to win the blinds (thats all thats in the pot post flop) and it keeps your stack moving upwards slowly.
As to betting second pair.
If your going to do this you need position. If its checked round to you and your either last or second last to act then bet the pot. I see too many people only betting small here which advertises their hand as either weak or a draw, afterall if theyre looking for info and you raise to a pot bet theyve got all the info they need (even if it is false)
Essentailly dont make the bet from ep unles your convinced you can outplay your opponent on the turn and river and then dont do it every time its too predictable and someone will start being a policeman, if it gets checked round to a free turn card then pot bet it then. Again, i think the big hands come out raisng here and you wont get stung too often.
Just remeber you're trying to take down a smll pot post flop, you dont really want to see a showdown in either case but dont overbet either thats often an advertisement of second pair.