99 in the SB - Stars $22 180 SnG, level 1....is this a donk play?

This is a tough one. If Villian had a 3 or a 5, why the all-in? That raise screams "please don't call me." I read villian as having a PP or A high. He would want a caller; unless he's a donk, then he could go all-in. But even a donk would want you to call right? Here's some math to ponder. Take out your pocket nine's and Villian could be dealt a total of 2450 starting hands, only 30 of these possible hands will be pocket 10's or better.

After the flop, when you check-raise and were only called, I agree with the below...you need to keep acting like you like your hand.

So it's a hard choice, there's a much better than average chance your hand is good, but it's so early in the tournament and Villian is hard to read...

[nath]

your check-raise is weak. you have to raise more or not at all.
a min-reraise preflop does NOT always mean a big pair so don't assume it does... but you still have to proceed with caution.
basically, your whole line is backwards. you should lead the flop if you think you're ahead; if you want to check-raise, you should raise more; if you do check-raise and are called, you have to push the turn.
but there's no shame in check-folding, or check-calling once. it's just an overpair, and not a very good one-- the action indicates there is a decent chance you're beaten. (But yeah, people do this with AK and suited connectors sometimes, too. or even smaller pairs. But still.)