Absolute was at the table with me for this, and his only response was a "?". I think I made the best play for the situation though.

Sorry I'm typing this out, I didn't grab the HH. PStars .25/.5

In BB I get 9c9s
MP1 limps, Absolute limps on the button, SB completes, I check.

Ugh: wrong number of people. can't raise for set value, can't raise for made pair value. This reasoning should continue, right, and I should be less aggro on the flop?

Flop comes 3s5sKd
SB checks, I check, MP checks, button bets, SB calls, I raise

I check-raise there to drive out other overcards to my 9s and to see where I'm at. 1 over, flush draw out there, junky straight draws too, board looks like noone's hit anything yet. I figured a check-call leaves me giving Kx chips through the river, I could see check-folding as well if MP or even SB bet into me, but the bet came from steal position, I had no read on SB, and SB's call indicated very little, and I could drive off MP for sure. I fold out some better hands, get raised only when I should drop, and if called may get a free card or continuation bet if button was making a position play and folds.

MP folds, button folds, SB 3-bets (wha what?)

Mysterious 3-bet by SB. I'm not getting 22-1 here and I'm definitely drawing to 2 outs best-case scenario (underset or lone K), so I fold. No further card, not a very big pot, no need to call for sanity.

Is the check-raise OK or too laggy/an example of me throwing a chip giveaway party? I don't feel bad about folding to the mystery 3-bet, should I?

someone? anyone? ... Bueller?

*bump*

Sorry if this is bad etiquette, but I'm really interested in an assessment of my approach with pocket 9's

I'd probably raise pre-flop anyway to establish myself as the aggressor in the hand. You effectively did this on the flop anyway, but I would lead out at the flop as opposed to check-raising.

Having raised, I think it's mathematically correct to call the 3-bet as well, though I'm not sure what purpose it would really serve--praying your 9 comes on the turn I suppose, at which point you're probably golden.

i think your fold was fine...everytime a situation like this comes up.. i have noticed that someone is slow playing. He could be on a flush draw too..either way..even if your ahead he probably has a lot of outs to beat you. Also, folding to 3 bets too often will make more observant players try to bluff you more. So that can be a argument to call one more bet.

the flop check raise was good..i woulda done the same because of the bet from the button..if anyone else besides the button bet..its a easy fold.

pocket nines are tricky...theres only 2 pocket pairs that are losing me money according to pocker tracker and its pocket 99's. I guess I should be posting some pocket nine hands too.

well this is a opinion from a newb player..i have only played about 10000 hands. So i guess wait to see the opinions from expert players.