i still think you gotta raise preflop. You allowed a lot of people to limp and left your AA unprotected.

If the goal was to maximize $$, i think you are better off raising 3xBB and get some people to invest some chips. you didnt get a lot of chips and your aces were very vulnerable with 4 others seeing the flop.

the reason i stand firm on this...i was in a tourney and in 4 hands i had KK, AJs, AA, and AA. i was frustrated when my first 3 hands netted me very little. so i slow played my aces and some guy caught 2 pair on the flop...I would hope the Q9 that beat me would have folded if i raised preflop...i still say you gotta raise and hope someone reraises you, but dont check and hope for a raise...

congrats on ur new life!!