Playing middle pairs when you don't flop a set.

[Lexander]

I was curious how others felt about the handling of middle pairs when the flop looks like it misses everybody but there are still overcards (88 on a 962 rainbow).

I have only been playing the $25 PP games, and I have found in general that dropping a LP middle pair on a ragged board has generally been a bit too weak.

In general, I find that if I have position, or I have a read that my opponent is calling or raising on overcards only, that betting out the pair in this situation typically wins the pot, particularly if I continue on the turn after the turn shoots a blank. I deliberately avoid pressing too hard, but I win a fairly good number of hands when AJ folds, somebody calls with middle pair, or a lower pair continues to call.

I don't consider this a huge posEV situation and there are clearly a number of risks. But I am curious how others tend to play this situation and what strategy they recommend.