As far as tension goes, each lock will require different tension. It's something you just have to practice and get used to feeling the feedback. Personally, I'll start with very little tension and gradually increase while I'm raking or picking until I feel the proverbial sweet spot.
If you're raking with a bogota or whatever you want to use, you can feel binding pins if you just keep practicing and developing a feel for it. Binders won't let your pick pass over as easily (since they're...binding

)
I know it's all basic stuff, jimu57 and kwoswalt99 have offered excellent information. I would also recommend checking out the free book available on bosnianbill's website.