[Nikademus]

[ QUOTE ]
I haven't read the book, but I think the raise allows you to represent a better hand and use position to steal the pot later.

[/ QUOTE ]
I haven't read it either, but that's pretty much the reasoning. Being short-stacked, people may also assume you are raising with a better hand as well. I seem to recall Howard Lederer (could be wrong on who said it) recently recommending intentionally starting with 30xBB to force yourself to play a tighter NL game.

Anyway, I would have raised with no action and 88 on the button.
1) You may force limpers with A9 K9 etc to fold.
2) You show a bigger hand than you have.
3) You increase the pot, in case you actually do make your trips.

Worse comes to worse, the flop is horrid, someone bets at you, and you fold.