NL(25)--Two hands that I was lost in

[masterblaker]

The first one...

Full Tilt Poker, $0.10/$0.25 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 9 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

UTG+2: $15.35
MP1: $25.80
Hero (MP2): $25.25
CO: $6.25
BTN: $14.90
SB: $16.65
BB: $21.50
UTG: $27.65
UTG+1: $16.10

Pre-Flop: J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (MP2)
<font color="red">UTG raises to $0.50</font>, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.50, CO folds, BTN calls $0.50, SB folds, BB calls $0.25

Flop: ($2.60) 5[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (5 Players)
BB checks, <font color="red">UTG bets $1.50</font>, UTG+1 calls $1.50, Hero calls $1.50, 2 folds

Turn: ($7.10) K[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (3 Players)
UTG checks, <font color="red">UTG+1 bets $3</font>, 2 folds

Results: $7.10 Pot ($0.35 Rake)
UTG+1 mucked and WON $6.75 (+$4.75 NET)

I felt like I was behind most of the time here. Should I three bet preflop?

The second one...

Full Tilt Poker, $0.10/$0.25 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 9 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

UTG+2: $5.65
MP1: $58.30
MP2: $6.70
CO: $26.55
BTN: $9.85
SB: $24.60
Hero (BB): $25
UTG: $66.70
UTG+1: $6.75

Pre-Flop: K[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (BB)
3 folds, <font color="red">MP1 raises to $0.85</font>, 4 folds, <font color="red">Hero raises to $3</font>, MP1 calls $2.15

Flop: ($6.10) 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (2 Players)
<font color="red">Hero bets $4</font>, MP1 calls $4

Turn: ($14.10) A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players)
Hero checks, <font color="red">MP1 bets $8</font>

Results: $14.10 Pot ($0.70 Rake)
MP1 mucked and WON $13.40 (+$6.40 NET)

I didn't like being oop, the coordinated board, and the turn ace.