confusion about check raising and position

I have been using the line to bet out a flop when i have a 4 flush or OESD, then if it hits to C/R. Has been going well.

Villian here is a maniac on the button, 67%/23% over 100 hands or so.

Party Poker 2/4 Hold'em (10 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is SB with 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, UTG+2 calls, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, MP3 calls, CO calls, Button calls, Hero completes, BB checks.

Flop: (6 SB) 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(6 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, BB folds, UTG+2 calls, MP3 folds, CO calls, Button calls.

Turn: (5 BB) A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
Hero checks, UTG+2 checks, CO checks, <font color="#CC3333">Button bets</font>, Hero calls, UTG+2 calls, CO calls.

River: (9 BB) Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
Hero checks,

the maniac bet the turn, so i think he will bet again and i can check raise.

UTG+2 checks, CO checks, Button checks.

Unfortunately it gets checked through. Boo for me. After thinking about it, if maniac did bet, i would probably fold the field facing 2 bets, maniac calls and i get 2BB. if i lead i probably get called by multiple crying callers, more EV?.
if the maniac was to my left would a check raise be correct?

Final Pot: 9 BB

[WillMagic]

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Unfortunately it gets checked through. Boo for me. After thinking about it, if maniac did bet, i would probably fold the field facing 2 bets, maniac calls and i get 2BB.

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Yup.

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if i lead i probably get called by multiple crying callers, more EV?.

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Yup.

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if the maniac was to my left would a check raise be correct?

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Yup.

Will

[W. Deranged]

The key to check-raising is relative position.

If you are trying to generate value :

-Check-raise if a bet is likely to come on your left, as you will most likely face multiple opponents with single bets.
-Bet if a bet is likely to come on your right, as check-raising forces opponents to have to call two cold and will generally hurt your action.

Conversely, if you are trying to protect your hand :

-"Flip 'em": Check-raise bets on your right and lead into bettors on your left, looking to face the field with two cold and encourage folds.

Thanks, thats makes it pretty clear.
Q.