Anyone else check an ace on the flop?

[Algasm]

I generally don't like to get involved with these types of hands but since it was free... I figure after it was checked around on the flop that my ace was good or I'd split the pot. When the nine hit on the river I was thinking doh! But I can't just check and give permission for the villian to take the pot. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Party $30+3. Regardless of the results I'm just trying to get better with my play after the flop.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t50 (7 handed)

MP1 (t785)
MP2 (t1125)
CO (t2505)
Button (t780)
SB (t1660)
Hero (t770)
UTG (t375)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, 3/images/graemlins/heart.gif.
UTG folds, MP1 folds, MP2 calls t50, CO folds, Button folds, SB completes, Hero checks.

Flop: (t150) 9/images/graemlins/heart.gif, K/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, A/images/graemlins/spade.gif <font color="blue">(3 players)</font>
SB checks, Hero checks, MP2 checks.

Turn: (t150) 7/images/graemlins/diamond.gif <font color="blue">(3 players)</font>
SB checks, <font color="CC3333">Hero bets t150</font>, MP2 calls t150, SB folds.

River: (t450) 9/images/graemlins/spade.gif <font color="blue">(2 players)</font>
<font color="CC3333">Hero bets t300</font>, MP2 calls t300.

Final Pot: t1050

[mikey checks]

depends on the flop
-i will always bet my ace if there is a draw. no1 should draw for free when i have the best pair

depends on my stack
-when i hit an ace on the flop and im sure i have the only 1, i do not want to lose the hand...ever...theres no need. it happens with a king and the turn brings an Ace for an acehunter...but i dont like seeing the board pair while im checking...then i end up claling a lure bet and get fuct

depends on my position
-first position i usually check to induce a bet, later position i will bet strong to represent a steal, in the middle it depends on the sitation

depends on my kicker
-with a weak kicker like a 3 i like to see where i stand on the turn...i dont know if this is a limit game youre playing but i might bet the pot or a little less to take it or see if i have some competiton. with a call and a check on the river i will bet 1/3 of the pot

[mikey checks]

ahh apologies, i should read your ENTIRE POST to respond ! haha (i saw it was no limit and the pot size)

i would bet that flop...prob min bet just to build the pot. maybe get both sb and mp to call and bet the pot as you did on the turn

[Martin Aigner]

Perfectly played, IMHO. I like esp. the river bet, which is enough that nobody will raise you but induces a call from a K. Maybe 100 would be enough, too, but nothing wrong with 150 neither.

Best regards

Martin Aigner