99 help

[Phil2]

Private STT. 8 players remaining. I have about $5500. Villian has about $11,000.

Blinds are at 75/150. I pick up 99 and make it 500 to go. Villian to my left calls and folds to me. Flop is 3 7 10 rainbow. I check and villian checks. Turn is a 4 putting clubs on board. I bet 1500 and he raises 1500. I fold. After thinking this one over I think I should have bet the flop and maybe checked the turn if he calls the flop bet. What do you think?

[Maulik]

You seem to have made a good analysis of what you should have done. I would have played it similarly, continuation bets are important.

Perhaps I would have raised more to indicate this isn't a blind steal, rather indicate you have a hand.