[ajrenni]

With respect to hand 2, I would be more likely to try your flop play HU against an aggressive blind defender. There are some players who will call the PFR and bet the flop whether they hit or not, figuring that you will fold if you miss; they will often fold right away to a raise. The fact that they bet instead of check-raising you is a clue that they are trying this. It is somewhat of a risky play in a small pot, but against the right player, it can be profitable.

In your situation, the two limpers are not worried about defending a possible steal, and one already called the flop bet. Your chances of winning the pot right there with a raise are basically zero, and you are almost certainly drawing to 2 discounted outs, so folding is better than raising.