KK: testing the idea of keeping pot small

[TheSeeker03]

Home game .25/.50 NL
Stacks are $40 each.

I have K [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] K [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] in CO.

PreFlop: UTG limps, fold, fold, fold, <font color="red">Hero raises to 2.5 </font>, Button calls, blinds fold, UTG calls.

Flop: $8, 3 players
Q [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 9 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 3 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

<font color="red">UTG bets $5</font>, Hero calls,

UTG is known for attacking a pre-flop raiser. I am debating a raise, but decide not to because I want to keep the pot small. It's a NL idea that I came across lately, influenced by Ed Miller's book, that you should use position to keep the pot small. I don't want to play in a big pot with just a pair, I want to give myself a chance to get away. Did I misapply the concept here?

Button folds.

Turn $18, 2 players.
J [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]

UTG checks, I check.

I intend on keeping the pot small.

River $18, 2 players.
J [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

UTG checks, <font color="red">Hero bets $10</font>. (for value)

to be continued ...

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I've heard that a turn check would be correct in the following scenario: You raise in position w/AK, get a caller. Flop is Axx rainbow. He checks, you bet 2/3 of pot. Turn a blank, he checks, you check! Then call a resonable river bet or bet for value.

The situation was different in that he made the flop bet for me, but I tried to stick to the small pot idea. Thoughts?