As far as standard is concerned it is very easy to win consistently at the $5 tables - they tend to follow a pattern.
Step 1 - levels 1 and 2. At least 2 players go out playing stupid.
Step 2 - levels 3 to 5. Another 2 players limp too much and get short stacked and end up going all in with v. little and going out
Step 3 - level 5 and up. Play gets really tight and eventually the last player goes out. At this stage it is important to use position to steal.
As for strategy, sit back and play tight aggressive. It's a bit more advanced than that but that's the basic idea.
I've never understood the attraction of bestiality but looking back over my life it does appear as though I married a cow, lived with a moose, been out with at least 5 dogs and spent a lot of time being chased by whales.