Passive play can work too?

[Aves]

I was at the casino the other day playing 2/5 NL when the following hand came up. EP is very good and is only playing at these stakes cause the higher ones weren't open; she has about $1000. MP is weak and loose; I'm in LP; and button is a very new player who doesn't seem to know how to play. MP, me, and button each have about $350.

UTG minraises to $10. EP and MP call. I look down to see 2 black Kings. I reraise it to $50. Button calls, UTG folds, EP and MP call. The flop comes

3s 9d Ad

I'm a little bummed out about the Ace on the flop. EP and MP check to me, and I figure in a reraised pot with 4 people, someone's got to have an Ace. I check and the button checks behind. Next comes an interesting turn card:

Kd

This puts 3 to a flush on the board and gives me a set. I also notice that EP bets $100 immediately, as if she didn't care what the turn card was. MP folds. I think about it briefly start counting my chips and see I have about $300 and go all in. EP insta-calls forgetting about the button still yet to act. Button is a little confused by everything but calls all in anyway. EP now calls having everyone covered. River is the

6d

I think I'm screwed. EP shows a set of 9s. I turn over my set of Kings. Button shows Ah 4h, and I rake in a huge pot. EP was telling others how she was planning on check raising the flop. Had I bet and got check raised, I surely would've folded. So in retrospect, it seems like I made the right move in checking the flop.

My question is was this the correct way to play this hand, or not as others should probly fear a big ace from me rather than me fearing an ace from them?

Thanks for any replies.

[bobbysteels]

if you think your beat, esp in the case of weak players playing weak aces to a raise, and you don't think they will fold to a pot sized bet, or to more pressure on the turn, then i dont see any point in betting. maybe its weak, but in instances like this with kk and 3 callers, i think u had to assume that someone played some bs like a4.

[topbrelan]

With three callers, I'm a fan of the check - what a turn card! EP's check was awful - a great player you think? A smooth call by her had you made a bet rather than betting out herself or a checkraise would prevent me from giving her action on future streets...it would've pretty obvious what she had. Glad it worked out for you in the end - nasty river!

[howzit]

[ QUOTE ]
My question is was this the correct way to play this hand, or not as others should probly fear a big ace from me rather than me fearing an ace from them?

Thanks for any replies.

[/ QUOTE ]

How often do you check a big ace or top set in a multi-way pot?

[Aves]

Probly almost never. I guess maybe with a deeper stack, I could afford to make a bet and not feel too committed to the pot.

[howzit]

that's why i would check.