[curtains]

I think its fine, and I like checking better than leading. You don't mind it if all the chips get in, not at all. The reason is that almost anytime all the chips get in, they would have gotten in if you had led out.

Meanwhile in this spot, they will bet the flop a huge % of the time when you check to them, and you should make a nice amount of change when they have nothing and make a standard continuation bet.

I don't want to bet out with the hope that my opponent raises me with nothing...I feel like more is to be gained by check raising here. On an ace high flop they will bet almost always.