[inyaface]

In level 1 I think 1010/JJ depending on the game should be the cut off for trying to flop an over pair and play it strong. Therefore anything less usually should be played for set value IMO. The thing about a raise PF however is you can A thin the field or B build a pot if you do happen to flop a set so as you said a preflop raise is not THAT bad considering your deep and your not going to be giving up a lot of your stack with a PF raise. Also I like that you have postion

As for the flop I don't mind the bet but I would rather check behind. The thing is donk K hands are going to check call on that board as well as flush draws which could also have 2 overs to your 88. Obviously the Kx is worse but the flush 2 overs isn't great either as your building a pot with a medicore hand without knowing where you are after being check called.

Let's say villan does have a flush with two overs. The first problem comes on the turn. You should be betting it since now he only has one street to hit his outs. However he still has 15 outs and a decent chance of making his hand. More importantly then this you still don't know where you are in the hand.

The problem obviously with checking the turn is that if you are ahead your giving free cards plus your showing such weakness that a good player might try and take the pot away from you on the river. The problem with betting is you still don't know if your putting in chips drawing to 2 outs.

As for the river line I think if you bet the turn you need to check behind on the river and if you check the turn your put in a tough spot on the river if your bet into.

All you would beat on a blank river is a missed flush draw or A7/7x sooted...something like that. I think it depends on odds to call. See how much the bet is, decide how often your against a bluff or a worse hand on the river, go with a read and stick with it.

This is all just rambling but I think the whole point is by betting the flop you might take down a small pot sometimes, you might be marginally ahead sometimes, but it posses such problems on the subsequent streets that I think checking the flop and check folding unless you improve is probably the best line with 88 here.