Re: #3r tough AA spot
 

If you are behind you're not getting to a showdown cheap, because 1) it's gonna look like you're trying to draw cheaply and 2) he's gonna be hammering it trying to keep you from drawing out on him. If you're ahead then he's most likely drawing (or folding if you bet) and all you do by betting small is give him great odds to draw at his hand, and encourage him to make semi-bluffs, which he will be less likely to do if you attack hard, and which will look a whole lot like a made hand if he makes them.

Re: #3r tough AA spot
 

thats not the case here though

the dude raised him on the flop and potted the turn. betting hard isnt going to accomplish much other than making you muck your aces when you have no idea where you are in the hand.