Maybe it was just a coincidence, but today during my 1/2 session I was part of a maneuver I have seen while playing online tournaments, but never live cash (I havent logged that many live hours). Both times I had a pocket pair (once QQ, once 99), both times an Ace popped out on the flop, and both times I was last to act vs villain.

In the scenario where I had QQ the villain raised pre to 12 UTG+1. I re-raised to $40 and the villain called. Flop comes out A88 villain checks and I lead out for $40. Villain calls. I dont specifically know what came out on the turn, but it was inconsequential. Villain checks, I check. River comes another inconsequential card (sorry but I dont remember these 2 specific cards). Villain bets $5. What do I do in this situation? I think I already screwed up by not continuing with my story by no betting the turn, which I'd be willing to talk about the merits of betting the turn or not. But my main point of this post is how to deal with what I'm now faced with.... a $5 bet into an approximate $160 pot. Both of us started w/ similar stack sizes mine was slightly larger around $400 his stack around $350. Is he just waiting for me to raise the $5 bet so he can re-raise me? Is he weak and doesnt want to check with me then betting big on the river? What should I do?

I won't even go into the hand where I had 99 and another villain throws in a $5 chip on the river into about a $40 pot because I remember even less about this hand, except once again an Ace comes out on the flop. The only reason I guess I brought it up was I thought it odd I encountered this twice in the same session when I'd never encountered it live before. Is this something that is common at 1/2 and should I incorporate it into my game? If so, under what circumstances and what am I trying to accomplish?

If the pot is significantly large, just treat the $5 bet as a check. If you would bet when checked to, bet. If you would check behind, flat.

This is a pretty uncommon move IME and I wouldn't worry about it.

+1

A check is basically a bet of $0. Treat a bet of $5 into a large pot like you would a check.

Exploitatively, this move is usually weak and you can try bluff-raising more frequently than you normally would. With QQ in this hand obviously just call, though.

I think you played it fine. I would just call now, and expect to see JJ/TT/99 often and the occasional weak Ace.

call and if you lose reaffirm their ****ty play by letting them know they got max value and that you would have folded to a $10 bet.

Agreed