Been at this for about 5 months now. Consider myself basically breakeven or perhaps slightly profitable player. Typically I play .25PL 10 person ring games. What I am looking to do is "move up" in profitablility and have identified lack of PFRs as the likely culprit for my running in place.

So here is just one scenario where'd I'd like some comment.

Say I am on the button or even the CO. Say there are 3-5 callers ahead and the table is reasonably loose (meaning there are at least a couple of people who will call/raise with crap). I have A J suited. So instead of just calling, I think I should be betting at least 4XBB or betting the pot. Let's say BB reraises with pot sized bet. Everyone folds except UTG+1, and of course the BB.

From what I have read, I should probably call. Flop comes out A 7 2 rainbow (obviously a scary flop would bring a different answer here). BB checks, UTG+1 checks ... do I bet the pot or just 1/2?

Question #2 (follow on) ... I bet 1/2 and BB calls and UTG+1 folds. Just two of us now. Turn card is K Q or J or maybe even whatever. BB checks. Now what do I do? I'm worried that BB might be slow playing a set. If I check, is that showing weakness and allowing BB to get a free river card? If I check and BB bets hard, do I fold?

I realize these are rather basic but I just don't want to be aggressive and learn the hard way that my approach and thinking was all wrong.

Thanks in advance to all who have comments.